You can't assume that everything would have continued as before if the subs hadn't been made. Our percentage possession was slowly dropping as the second half wore on, suggesting to me that the forward players were exerting less and less pressure and fresh legs were needed in that area -- which is what the substitutions provided. In addition, DS is being constantly fed real-time data on the condition of each player. Maybe it was telling the same story. If Pukki had been on the bench, it is likely he would have come on rather than Hugill, which I think would have been more effective in keeping the pressure on Huddersfield.
That's a difficult one to judge, as we were also into game management and containment as the game went on. As for Gibbs, even WhoScored had him as our lowest ranked player, which is strange, given that he played the whole game. I was certainly very impressed with him. Sinani is also one who is seizing his chance by scoring 2 goals and making two assists in the two games he's started so far. Why has it taken so long for that chance to come?
That would mean dropping Sinani, which would be strange given his impact on the two games he's played. Perhaps Aarons as a WB with a back 3 would make more sense.
I don't think it has taken that long. It was looked at in pre-season, in the first half against Marseille, when Sargent was again in the middle. I think it's simply that there are a lot of possible combinations, as also in midfield. Earlier on, not many people were advocating dropping Rashica to the bench. And injuries e.g. to Dowell, have further complicated the process. Max clearly likes having Sinani up ahead of him, and has said so. And Sinani and Sargent seem to have forged a good understanding. Can the same yet be said of Sinani and Pukki?
All of our performances for me have been like a cat tormenting a mouse and getting it's tail bitten . We were toying with all of the opponents but with no killer instinct , yesterday by taking a couple of our early chances Huddersfield looked shell shocked for most of the game but even then we let in a sloppy goal and could have blown another 2 goal lead which would have been fatal for Smith. I believe we will keep a long run of results undefeated at home comfortably winning most but away from home teams will try to emulate Hull and Cardiff letting us have the ball and try to nick a goal against us . We seem to struggle playing against well drilled organised sides that pack their defence . I see enough quality in this side especially the new editions that with no disrespect look too good for this league. My only concern is the lack of depth in defence and a genuine Pukki replacement up top. It's a good sign that we are sharing the goals about though with different players chipping Inn. With Gibbs looking like the quintessential two footed dynamo as defensive midfielder hopefully we can stop pining after Skipp who doesn’t even get in the Spurs squad anymore . Edit he appears to be injured again and on £80k a week so not worth wondering what could have been.
Re. "how long it takes", this was Michael Bailey a week ago, writing about the midfield options: "Smith knows it will take weeks to get his new-look group of midfielders to find their own form and rhythm, while also working coherently alongside each other on the pitch."
Dropping Pukki seemed to turn out well it lifted everyone and changed the style of play , lots of our pre season goals were headers which have been rare for us the last few seasons. The commentary team possibly Goss said Pukki has been playing like he's carrying a fridge on his back . We have become so heavily reliant on his goals it must become exhausting after a while . Not scoring a single goal at last year's Euros probably pissed him off too. 2 promotions followed by 2 relegations must also sap motivation especially at his age , but we all know he's good for double figures again when he gets going
I see no reason why Sinani wouldn't work well with Pukki. I think you're right that Rashica and the reborn Cantwell have been the early first choices, but Cantwell is much better playing WL. For whatever reason, Rashica has failed to impact on this league the way most thought he would. Sinani plays in a front two for Luxembourg just as Pukki does for Finland, so there's no reason both of them playing in a three up front with Cantwell or with Rashica wouldn't work. Rashica has failed to take his chance so far whereas Sinani has two goals and two assists in two starts. He also had 7 goals in a low scoring Huddersfield side last season. He's in form and Rashica isn't so I would start him with Pukki, even at the expense of Sargent if need be.
That's probably true, but I think Núñez rose to the fore last night alongside young Gibbs with McLean dropping back to LB. He stroked the ball around in a commanding fashion and seems to have settled even as his partners change. If Sara can do the same as he gains fitness, I suspect that Smith would ideally want Núñez, McLean and Sara in a 4-3-3, at least until Hayden is fit again, but Gibbs has at least created another option for Smith.
Well substituted, sick child means I haven't been on here for days. Did see you managed to pick up a win for us, bravo!
Yeah, he's getting there (being a little monkey again) temperature only reached close to 40C (104f) once today and the medicine seemed to take effect quicker.... now to attack this pile of washing to fold in front of me
