They did batten down the hatches big time though, there will be other sides that play much more open against us than tonight, will be interesting to see how we do in those situations. We also looked much much much better with Stuey and Che on.
I'm not convinced many will tbh. I think what they did tonight will be what we see from 90% of opposition.
If so we will have a lot of practice breaking teams down. All we have been doing for three years is clinging on desperately, so it will take time.
Anyway it doesn't really matter. Think we slightly got away with one tonight but I make that the third opening day win this century so always worth celebrating. Who said the Championship couldn't be fun. That late winner would have been awful with a 3min var check
What I will say is we moved the ball quickly and DID get into threatening positions regularly. That's the important thing. Not just pissing around with it at the back. We moved the ball with purpose. And if Che starts he will get a lot more chances than Adam with his movement.
Yep definitely. It's something we'll need to get used to and definitely a better problem to have than recent seasons.
First game of the season. I saw a lot from tella, edozie and even Aribo. Thought we looked really good. A top striker (and keep Che) and we will win the league.
Yeah the possession got a bit frustrating at times because it was very slow and didn't seem to be opening anything up. But, that is because Wednesday we're so negative. Sat so deep, minimal pressing, seemed happy for us to have the ball. It's hard to step it up against that kind of negativity. Against better teams hopefully the possession will lead to more creativity and opportunities. Also I think against such a deep defence, there's no point playing three pace merchants. You need intelligence, and that's what Stu and Che have.
I think we really have to go above and beyond to get Piroe here. He would be the perfect striker for us.
Yeah the quick movement past the halfway line was very promising as that was one of my big concerns re Martin. Agree re Che too but suspect he'll be off.
I did think ‘this could become very tedious’, although as long as we are winning I really couldn’t care less. It is interesting though that we just kept going and kept going until they had one lapse in concentration and that was it, will probably be seeing that replicated a few times. Albeit I think Wednesday will struggle.
If Che is off we need to buy 2 strikers. I we buy Piroe and he gets injured we’re resorting to A Armstrong.
Had a few things confirmed tonight. 1. Everything we read about Martin was true. Lovely football to watch, very possession heavy but lacking a cutting edge. That summed up the game and is what he needs to work on. Having his own team will help. 2. Arma is not, and never will be, a lone striker. If this is the fornation Martin wants then Che Adams should be the first name on the team sheet. 3. Edozie hasn't changed. Brilliant on the ball but no end product. Think Amo-Ameyaw deserves a shot. 4. JWP will rinse this league and is a couple of weeks away from becoming an all time club legend - please don't break my heart and join David Moyes' West Ham.
Manager came over well in interview. Down to earth. Said all the players are good, so a matter of convincing them of the plan. Was pleased the players looked like they were having fun. Realistic about players going…regretted the length of the window.
