Yep, people always forget that we've often done well with a balanced team containing a few grafters who no one would have said were promotion level players. Look at 2008, 2013, even 2016 we had a very good squad for the level but it was grafters first and foremost. When we've had a team of expensively assembled stars from all over the place (2014/15, start of 2017/18, start of this season) we've struggled. It's a mistake to yet again write off any possibility of a Slater type player winning promotion from this division. All that said, I do think it's unlikely Tyler Smith has much of a long-term future with us. Two goals last night were most welcome, but they don't change that he's done very little for us in his time here and we have better options.
2016 was one of the strongest teams ever seen in the championship filled with top talent. No idea how cabbage head didn't win the league with them.
The finishing from Smith yesterday was excellent. I hope he does stay, he deserves it. We might just have unearthed a gem. The first goal was brilliant and a difficult finish from a tight angle. The second was a real poachers goal. Brilliant for the lad.
They always look good in these clips - remember Ghilas and Proschwitz clips that looked like fantastic signings.
Well you might be right but going to say I think I've had a reasonable record of judging City players over the years and I don't quite know how far people like Docherty and Slater can go. Slater's movement and pass for that final goal yesterday was top class. and a lot of these players are clearly improving under Rosenior. The 2008 promotion team contained the likes of Andy Dawson, Dean Marney and Ian Ashbee and I'm sure there were plenty at the time saying they weren't really top of the Championship players. There were plenty saying Ashbee would be left behind when we left League 2!
While last night was easily his best performance in a City shirt, he’s been here 18 months and in that time we’ve barely seen anything that suggests he warrants a place in the squad. But he was, for some time, all we had due to financial circumstances. I won’t be changing my mind on him until I see him play like that on a consistent basis, or at least over a five game period.
Fair enough - he reminds me of an old school Second striker - small, pacey and can finish but those types tended to thrive when playing alongside a traditional (lump of a) 9. We've primarily played with just a 9 through the middle so it was going to be difficult for him in that system. If we're tweaking our style to accommodate him then it could be good all round, but I agree he now needs to back it up with consistent performances.
Tyler Smith is no unearthed gem, did ok against an absolutely tripe side but the bloke has nothing at this level, not quick, not strong, doesn’t particularly hit the ball well and as described to me the other day it’s like “the world is too big for him” he could be swallowed up or brushed aside and no one would seem to notice. Wouldn’t be surprised if they had left him behind at an away ground before… seems a nice enough lad though and hope he finds some regular football in league 1.
Yeah he “did ok” only scored a brace off the bench. That’s ok. What did Allahyar do besides lose the ball? I’m a massive fan of Allahyar but T Smith scored double the amount of goals Allahyar has for us just last night and has apparently shown nothing at this level. Not quick? He got his 2 goals and essentially made Oscar’s too with his pace and very good runs in behind.
that Wigan defence up there with the worst I’ve seen at this level, I’ve never seen him go past anyone for pace apart from yesterday. Allahyar is another subject last year he looked unplayable but maybe due to injury he’s not hit those heights this season.
I think he lacks the pace to be consistently effective at this level. He looks like he should be fast but whenever it's been put to the test defenders have breezed past him. But I wouldn't put his goals last night down to the fact it was 'only' Wigan. It's just the nature of football that every so often things fall into place nicely. He comes on and chases things quite often and usually it's a thankless task, but last night he happened to get a couple of good chances on the break which he normally doesn't and he took them. Fair play to him. It doesn't mean he's going to score every week now and equally it doesn't mean yesterday was a masterclass performance out of the blue. He just did what he does and on this occasion it resulted in goals.
Allahyar got an assist for Greaves so he did something in the game. Both are a way off demonstrating consistent end product just yet though. Both are young so who knows?
yeah maybe I am being too harsh, think it’s just harder to erase the stink of 18 months of tripe for me then one game. Want to see the club moving forward and away from the ghosts of Ehab.
Smith took his 2 goals very well yesterday and good luck to him if he takes his chance. As i have said before he certainly doesn't have pace but he can finish and also takes a good pen, he wanted to take the one the other week but unfortunately so did Oscar and we know what happened with that.
He’s a central player though his movement is non stop. Im not saying he’s the answer but since Ros came in he’s looked better imo. Set Christie on his way for the Brum goal, he keeps the ball pretty well and if you’re chasing a game going 2 up front with his runs in behind you’ll at the very least create chances. I’d keep him around til summer at least after last 2 games.
These players have been subject to Shota and Grant prior to Ros. New slate for them all as after our transformation so far Rosenior just seems destined for the top of the game.
