Still not sure what his strong points are really. Our biggest problem at the moment for me is that we have a serious lack of attacking players available. Smith starting is symptomatic of that. If we had everyone fit he'd be on his way out along with Cannon and Williams.
Well I doubt they can be as poor second half so we need to up our game a bit from the pre season friendly style we're playing now.
The good thing is that we go in at 0-0, the only problems we have had have been of our own making, and if Smith had been a bit sharper we could actually be leading, so not all bad
well a point would be great but that was one of the worst halves of football i can remember absolute dire from both teams
this one's behaved, though my anti-v objected when i clicked to unmute, so i've had it on silent. https://freestreams-live1.tv/ifollow-33/
Playing out from the back is fine if you use the full width of the pitch and play to players who are relatively safe and unmarked. Playing out of the back by passing it in three yard triangles near the corner flag with opposition players breathing down your neck is more like Russian roulette.
Not an entertaining half but that doesn't matter. In the opening few minutes, Pelkas was taking up some lovely positions and we were finding him well. It just hasn't really worked with Doch coming on and Slater going there. All it's done is make us pretty blunt going forward. We obviously miss an outlet up top to give us the option of going long but actually think Smith has looked better than he usually does, although I still don't think he's the level required But they're a decent side so I'd take a point all day long.
Tbf to Doc he's been as active as anyone that half and Slater has had some nice touches, alas with Smith and Longman doing next to nothing its all a bit static, but yes who knows what effect Pelaks may or may not have had
I've been waking up in the middle of the night unable to go over again, in future i'll watch a replay of that first half and sleep like a babby.
None of those are really technical players though so you're always going to struggle to open up a good Watford side. It's all a bit L1 really, plenty of graft and effort but that quality is just lacking. I thought Tufan was the obvious one to come on for Pelkas. Him and Sinik were really unfortunate not to start but I do understand it away at Watford
Well guess I am going to be a contranarian. City playin Rosenoir ball very well keeping the ball in some very tight areas with some intricate passing going on. One move they pass it arouind for an endless set of passes. Will bear fruit at some time. Mcloughjlin has slotted in very nicely and I am not fretting when he is in a tight situation at the back unlike I would be with Figueredo.
