Even without that creativity. We shouldn’t have lost all those games. Our defence has been a total shambles. If you’re having to score 3/4/5 goals to win a game, then the problems are not in attacking areas.
Injuries haven't helped though. I agree that the cover we have should be good enough to step up, but you can't have the amount of injuries we had and say that it's McCann's fault. These 9 games will be an acid test, if we fail, then it's on him. On the LB issue, I think Brandon Fleming looks a much better prospect than Clark did, plus we have Greaves and Sheaf to come back, both of which have impressed at Cheltenham. Perhaps the latter isn't ready for the Championship, but I think Greaves would be decent cover. It's cover at right back I think is an issue, when Lichaj is out, we look even worse.
To,be fair, we were down to eighth choice at centre back. You are right, the last nine games will prove whether we are good nough to stay up. Apart from upfront, I think we are probably a mid table team
Clark was a young age England international, having watched him he developed OK. He went to Cambridge and they played him in midfield, whereas IMO left-back was always his best position. IMO Brandon looks similar in talent, he just needs to grow and develop physically a bit. Having said that he, I haven't really seen him for 2 years, so he may already be a bit bigger. I certainly agree he is a good prospect and should be cover for Elder as Kingsley has really disappointed during his time with us. Also agree we need better cover at right-back, McKenzie has not really pushed on and Pennington looks better there.
I've got an anorakish memory for stuff like this so I can fill in some blanks here. Clark did indeed play centre mid that game. Alongside Robbie McKenzie which seems weird now given that both have become full backs as pros. Dan Batty came on as a sub for McKenzie and missed the only penalty in the shootout. I remember being impressed by Batty having never heard of him then. Think he was a year behind most of them. By the way it was actually the final, not a semi. Martin Samuelson played up front for West Ham.
Weirdly I have no memory of him from the game at all. I remember Ben Hinchcliffe causing them problems and Will Annan banging in a beautiful equaliser to take it to pens, but nothing about the other attacker. Can't see him making it.
Not really LB related, but I didn’t realise Youth GK Charlie Andrew had left for Lincoln back in January. I’d heard he was a good prospect.
OK another 'anorak' kind of reply here. Re the U21 Cup Final (2nd leg) v West Ham - It was 04/05/2016. The official attendance given was actually 3,886. Although a match day programme was produced they were certainly not easily found (I think I eventually got mine from the reception desk) and in 'Allam-like' fashion City had apparently chosen to save money by not using the score boards as you said. Hence many fans didn't really know who was who. Such a shame as it was probably one of the biggest matches ever for some of the youngsters.
Yeah, I'm sure you are right. They must be VERY expensive to run! Regardless, it was all a bit amateurish and such a shame that the young players got zero recognition and many of the fans didn't have a clue who they were actually watching.
