Evening all, just saw the brief football league show highlights last night but it seems that we are still carrying on from the momentum of our wins over Brighton and Peterborough. To go away to somewhere likes Middlesborough, who are doing so well in the league, and have Tony Mowbray say in the post-match interview that we deserved something from the game is a compliment to Dyche and the team. I would be interested to hear what those who were at the game or watching it on TV thought of what went on, but from what I saw it seemed we carried on with our rather direct style of play towards Iwelumo, with that our main source of threat, as well as set-pieces. It was a shame that the goal had to come from such a bad decision from the linesman, but there's not point crying over what we can't change. In defence, it seems like Nosworthy should be able to replace the injured Taylor, though Hodson seems a bit of an enigma in that in attack he provides great support but it appeared he was caught napping a couple of times in defence? Onwards and upwards as they say, look forward to hearing your thoughts...
Seemed that way to me too, but then he is still on a learning curve himself, generally an upward one too. I don't think there's any doubt that a fit LD is defensively ahead of him at the moment - I doubt, for example, that Robson would have have had that shooting opportunity after 15 seconds yesterday. But Hodson does offer so much more in attack.... I suspect that had LD been fit, he would have played yesterday. A case of 'horses for courses' - playing away to a team in the top three, it makes sense to consider defence first. Oh, and yes - upward curve maintained IMO.
I would tend to agree emiatss ,the positives are Scott seems to be getting his mojo back, the defence is starting to look more solid! the negatives , we still lack creativity and pace intelligence and quality in attack , everything we do looks laboured and predictable this is what we must work on and improve on ASAP.
We just lacked the quality to break a solid defence down unlike against Peterborough and Brighton...who weren't so hot at that. TBH I didn't expect much last night and think the key games will be our next 3 against sides around us. Need a decent points total from Pompey,Donny and Bristol City.
IMO, Hodson was and is a liablity!!!(He was to blame for the goal) Was actually impressed because I heard Scott Loach shout Nosworthy gave his all, Mapps again outstanding, not sure where MS was but he was not there last night, I hardly ever saw him gor for the secondary ball. We lacked drive and creativity through the midfield and as is reported elsewhere TD is not a winger, CB did try for his cameo performance but why did SD bring on Forsyth on, in the 91st minute! The team need to pick themselves up and carry on! We have to get more wins under our belts otherwise it is going to be a long hard cold winter ahead of us
I only heard what was happening, but felt that we were not that far behind a top of the table side. If only the lino had got it right, we had come away with a deserved point, I guess that we would be fairly happy today.
Will people lay off Lee. In the past 3 games we have conceded 3 goals. This is a pretty good statistic seeing as we have played 3 strong teams who have been putting 3/4 goals past defences all season. Lee has come into the team on short notice and he has been a part of this statistic. We have been stronger and looked better than we have all season and he is offering is more than Doyley can when we are going forward. He keeps crossing the half way line and whipping balls across the box causing havoc for the defence. Doyley never does this!
Dan he may cross the ball, but I bet LD would have cleared his lines last night and then we might not have conceded!!! Besides Hodson is far too light weight!
Despite most of my games are sound only I have seen Lee play. I think that on balance he offers far more than Lloyd although he doesn't always get it right. I would make him a regular in the starting line up. I am begining to worry more about what is happening in the left back position, but see no player who is better.
I think CD has the makings of a very good LB, but he needs protection from the left midfielder whoever that it is as they change so often as in positionally either winger covers either wing, which has got to unsettle the FB's IMO, as you don't know who is supposed to be there covering you!
I disagree. He got destroyed by Bennett who was lucky to escape unpunished, but Little Lee picked himself back up and got on with it. Lloyd might have cleared it that once (if he was not fouled in the attempt!!) but he would have been out paced and left for dead many more times!! I love Lloyd but i really dont think he is the best player we have.
I have said this for a couple of weeks now. Yeates keeps being drawn too central and then gives the LB or winger 3/4 yards which then puts CD under undue pressure.
Exactly this! Hodson had two good games against Posh and Brighton, but yesterday he looked like Hodson from before and that's worrying. Were those two games a 'one off'? Let's hope not, or perhaps we should hope that LD is fit again very soon!
Hodson was not at fault for the goal. He missed a tackle, tracked back, and had McDonald been onside Hodson would have had Emnes covered. Criticise him for a mediocre performance if you want, but he was not at fault for the goal. The Middlesbrough player holding a flag was at fault for the goal.
With Dan on this one , in a team that has a minimal amount of attacking nounce, LH and his crosses do offer a supply line for the strikers! To win a game you have to score! LH as right back for me!
I'm with you Norway, whilst LD has more defensive experience, LD is catching up with the more games he gets and he gives us far more going forward.
I think we were up against a decent side on Saturday with no obvious weak links. I felt Carl Dickinson struggled more than Lee Hodson but all in all we kept them quiet for most of the game. The goal killed our chance as it enabled Middlesbrough to sit in and break whenever we lost possession - there was no need to press us so the game never realy opened up. We probably played to our present ability but I still feel that Sean has not sorted out a system that suits the current squad. Marvin needs a fast, hardworking partner who can distract defenses and allow Marvin more space and time. Hogg is a decent player at this level but seems to be lacking in confidence and quite happy to shut down oponents and play the easy ball rather than open up opposition defences. For all Deeney's endeavour he does not achieve much and considering his physique he is knocked off the ball with ease. Prince Buaben has ability but at present is very wayward and not capable of 90 mins. Mark Yeates is limited and not strong enough in the tackle. Chris Iwelumo has no pace and provides minimal goal threat.
