hahaha. 68 mins and a goal. What, an I talking to myself? At least I'll be able to have a sensible conversation. Eh, yeah, good substitution. Yep, sure was.
I was with you all the way remote Tomlin to the rescue! Another 3 points is probably the best way of looking at it.
I had us down to win (2-1 though) and for tomlin to score, so my fortunes are having an upturn as well. WBA to win tomorrow and I'm sure our noisy neighbours will be straight on to our board to congratulate us.
Not being a killjoy and it was a thrilling win but I fear for the next 2 games if City play like that against them. Brentford and Leeds have players who will go straight through our static defence. Barnsley had so much room in midfield and with better players would have caused more problems. I don’t know what the answer is. Pack sits so deep to help the defence out leaving acres of room in midfield. Bacuna likewise. Tomlin shouldn’t be left isolated and it was only when Madine was subbed did he have some space as a result of Ward’s ability to take defenders with him, which Madine can’t do. ps Murphy was shockingly poor as was IMO Bennett.
You're not being a kiljoy nin, just being a voice of reason. Given the lack of posession in the last game and paucity of shots on target this, i dont believe we've turned the corner fully. Some shoots of recovery, but i still believe we need changes in the team. For eons we've had oil tankers as centre backs though Nelson seems to have a bit more pace. Similarly we've not had a midfield enforcer. Some changes will be made as Harris better understands the resources at his disposal. Dont blame him sticking with the core personnel, but changes are needed and will come. That said, I'm quite happy with 10 points from 4 games. Its a long old season though, as others are finding out.
Question? Pack? What is he for? Pedestrian. Gets caught in possession (if I'm right that's how they got their first goal). Bypassed easily. Adds little going forward. Puts team mates under needless pressure. Also, bye bye Madine. The odd good touch but not mobile enough. Rarely wins headers, in fact he jumps at defenders rather than goes for the ball. The league's bottom team sliced and diced us today. Thank God for Tomlin and Ward.
You can add Bennett and Etheridge to that list as well Bluey - both are a shadow of themselves from last season. Bennett really needs to get a grip on his game and take some control over his left hand side. Etheridge doesn't look confident and looks very nervous when the opposition get anywhere near his area. Also with the ball in his hands, he's got a 50 metre wide channel to aim at when clearing it and fails too often to hit it - that really infuriates me! As for the game overall, a clumsy sort of performance that we were fortunate to get over the line. At times the midfield was like that first half at Charlton - wide open for the opposition to run through. We were lucky make no mistake. Still, three points where we only deserved one at best, but I'll take them. Next 2 games at Brentford and Leeds will be real test of where we're really at. If Harris doesn't already know now what he needs in Janaury, he will after those two.
I saw the game from a different seat than normal - higher up- so was able to see the game from a different perspective. As I said earlier Pack sits too deep and has no pace to get forward to be of any use. I also criticised Bennett who just does not offer enough going forward. Madine is an experiment to now ditch. He is simply not good enough. Ward or Glatzel have to play to enable Tomlin the space he craves to weave his magic. Ward looked knackered after only being on the pitch for a short time. Smithies possibly should not have been dropped. Etheridge’s distribution is abysmal. Harris has some decisions to make if Ralls and Glatzel are fit. These 2 away games on paper are stern tests. Both oppositions play a high tempo game with technically better players. 2 points would be an achievement.
