The long ball thing cannot be part of our game plan, it was totally pointless launching it up to Smith. For all Smallwood's experience, he gives the ball away far too much and for every killer ball, there are three or four key mistakes. The likes of Huddlestone, Slater (when not being played at RWB), Cannon et al should be knocking on the manager's door and asking what they need to do to displace him because he seems undroppable.
We lack a final ball something chronic. We aren't too bad moving the ball about on the ground, especially when we are breaking, but we are still far too over reliant on crossing the ball, we don't mix it up enough. The players get into half decent positions and then they don't know what to do.
The biggest thing for me is that if we're going to play with WBs, they need to start taking on their men more. Far too often we see them storm forward, get to their opponent, stop, put their foot on the ball and work it backwards, which gives the opposition time to get back and defend. The likes of KLP, Fleming and Longman should be trying to skin people if the option is on and if they're further up the park, otherwise we end up going side to side and not really going anywhere. If he's fit, Longman should be on the right with Slater in the middle. Or, when he's fit, Williams. Both of them can skin people for fun.
Allahyar keeps being played in central midfield, not sure why, he's a forward player and should be playing upfront.
On the plus side, the midfield did move and support the wide men a lot better than it did against Barnsley. Thought Macca should have got MoTM really, I'm glad he's finally showing what he can do at this level after a rocky start.
Next game, 3-4-3 for me. Allahyar, KLP and Eaves up front, Fleming and Longman at WB, Doc and Honeyman in the midfield, today's back 3 and whichever goalkeeper is fit.