I don`t think you are shocking. You made more chances than we did, and with better finishing, you would`ve won, despite all our possession.
I thought today was our worst performance of the four matches - but I still thought we were the better team. Edozie was great on the left, and when Fraser came on there he was decent too. I liked Downes when he came on. Charles impressed me again. And finally Bazunu played a part in us winning a match. But Alcarez was poor and Manning worries me defensively. SAA not yet ready to start matches. We didn't really create too much. 10 points from a possible 12. Can't complain at that.
So, what did people think of Mara today? He looked pretty good. Best I can remember from him. He doesn’t drive into the box hard enough for crosses but he has a good physical presence and a neat touch. I wouldn’t want him as main striker but, on this showing, he could do with more minutes?
I wonder whether Alcaraz will be freed up if both Charles and Downes anchor behind him? I’m not sure him and another more advanced “8” really works
I hadn't realised for the goal that Adarma's second touch was a volley, because his first touch was a horror. That's the difference for strikers in the Championship vs Premier League - you get a second bite of the cherry here.
Absolutely. People have been down on him for some weird reason, but he's young and has found it hard to settle in England. He's got talent, and a season in the Championship could absolutely be the making of him at the club. He's a definite keep for me (and also ties in to my point above - he will get more chances in this league, and his confidence will grow).
Charly has always been a little bit inconsistent, and is clearly struggling for a bit of form in this new system/league. He'll come good though.
Another great change from Martin to make the difference, not just the personnel, but a slight change in shape. SAA is a little way off being a starter. He just wasn’t making the right runs and looked knackered after half an hour: it’s a learning curve for him. Charly off it again, potentially injury, but also I think he is better in a counter attacking team and running beyond a central striker. He is talented and as he showed in the final 20 of the Norwich game, that when matches open up he’ll be a handful. Think he’ll still be our big match player. Manning is giving me Danny Fox vibes Downes great, very assured - Fraser very good considering not match fit and no time with team mates. Great to see Adam Armstrong so confident
Good news is that apparently SAA won’t need to be a starter as we are apparently signing a Tella replacement
Player ratings Baz - thought he looked good today. Some great saves and good calls. Not seen the replay but looked like the first goals was a peach of a shot against the post which he couldn't reach. Kwp- better today then the first few matches where he would often try to dribble past one to many players and get tackled. Like how he joins the cm when we are in possession but limits are attack down the right with SAA alone. Bednarek - handled the tall Armstrong well and some clever tackles. Good to have him back ti his best Stephens - unlucky to go off injured early as he was looking good at bringing the ball out of defence Manning - not his best game.outpaced on the left numerous times. Some.good passes to release frazer and Edozie but looked uncomfortable when on the ball outside the other teams box unable to find an attacking pass. He does not seem to work well defensively with edozie with them both complaining to each other on marking numerous times. EDIT I have just seen he got both our assists so maybe he deserves more credit. Charles - cracking signing and the sort of player we have missed since romeu, wanyama. Strong on the ball good tackler and happy to ping the ball about. Played well in defence but felt we lost a lot of control in midfield when we moved him into defence. Downes- looked very comfortable on the ball and looks like a great addition but unsure if he a⁶nd Armstrong are the right pairing in CM. Would much prefer one of them playong alongside Charles . S Armstrong - similar to Downes, silly booking but nice to have someone in the middle who can quickly transition defence into attack SAA - Lools an exciting talent but quiet game. Not sure if it's due to KWP going more central or if we mainly targeted the left side with edozie. Think he will be a great impact sub this season using his trickery and speed against tired legs Edozie. Looked a lot better outclassed their right back numerous times and some good balls in. Was just saying it's a pity he does not have a strong shot just before he scored which show how much I know. Only complaint for him is his tracking back. He goes through the motions of tracking back but never seems to complete a tackle and saw numerous times he turned his back allowing them to cross rather then trying to stop it with his foot. Not sure if he is worried he will get injured in doing so but we are being targeted that side every time. Please take notes from Adam Armstrong on how to track back. Alcaraz - not his greatest game. Got into positive areas but often displaced and got himself another silly yellow for talking to the ref. Hope we can hold onto him as he will be another level when he gets used to this system. Mara - impressed today. Held his own and gave us a bit more strength. Often a bit too confident in his ability of having to control every ball which is not ideal when we are trying to clear from an opposition attack Fraser - changed the game for us when he came on. Cracking runs. Brilliant low crosses for our team (exactly what Adam Armstrong needs) and even some good headers for such a short player. Would happily have him starting the next game. Aribo - still looks slow as hell but impressed with how he kept possession. Great sub to have when we are defending a lead as great to have a bit of height up front. Adam Armstrong - MOTM quiet first half as we struggled to find him but came alive with the introduction of Frazer and Mara. Great tracking back and tackling and a superb goal. Manager - very impressed with what I have seen so far. Enjoy the possession style football and great to see his 3 subs changing the game. Only questionable thing is have ABK on the bench but choosing to move Charles to cb when Stephens went off. Hope we see Chalres playing cm every week.
No, no, I know you weren't. And totally agree re SAA not being a starter (as I said numerous times over the last week or so). He's a really exciting talent, but he's a vs tired legs sub right now.
In SAA’s defence, he got the ball once in the first 15 and put in a beautiful cross. We just seemed to focus on the left. This maybe as their right back was excellent. Edozie couldn’t get past him either. Just before SAA went off he floated a devilish cross into the six yard area that was missed by everyone and slipped wide. I agree he shouldn’t start, but he looked dangerous even when barely in the game.
Dose anyone know how t can watch the QPR game, I purchased a pass on saints play but could not watch it live and now I a cannot find a link to watch the game
Go on ITVX and you can restart the highlights show. I think someone will link you to the whole game though!
