Reminds me of Lee Miller who was exactly the same, great in training, popular in the squad, worked hard on the pitch, but just couldn’t score enough. Same with Jon Stead….
Didn’t go to Preston then mate? Yesterday was boring in the first half. But looking back was we trying to frustrate Boro to then have a go at them towards the end of the half. If we were it worked. Liked what Mark Sykes said after we went and conceded two goals, saying that LM was saying to them, it’s not lost so calm down and got their heads back in the game. I enjoyed the game in the end, against an in form team I thought we closed the game out well. LM saw Pring was struggling and blowing out his arse towards the end and gave him support with Naismith. Mind you that Boro winger was fast and knowing Pring is as well, but he was doing Pring all the time. My concern with the team and I don’t think he’s a bad player, just not adventurous is Tanner. I feel he stifles Syke who I think is our most attack minded player. I’ve heard good things about McCory who will back Sykes up a lot better. One thing I did notice, was the crowd seemed more up for it at the end and the ground was all singing which I’ve not heard for a while at home.
I think we all have go get used to this very patient possession game that LM obviously wants. Not my favourite watch by any means but it certainly won the day yesterday. A few behind me in the Dolman kept shouting to close them down when that was exactly what Boro wanted. Thought we kept our shape and discipline well. Wouldn't surprise me if we go a system that allows Naismith to start soon.
Words of advice to Zak would be to never never try a cushioned header back to a dodgy keeper when you are in the six-yard box. Just saying. Has he been given different criteria by LM to make his play look like a bad re-run because yesterday that's exactly what I saw, and after his stellar season last time out it's disappointing to see his reversal. Come on Zak.
A bit harsh criticising Max, Zak should have found row Z, it wasn’t the time to try to be clever. Max was still on the floor.
I wonder what Manning makes of Franz after 2 games. At QPR he got away with a penalty shout that would have given a very poor side 3 points. This week he did his level best in the 4th minute to give Boro a goal only to actually score for Boro a few minutes into the 2nd half. He was a rabbit in headlights. Vyner could have cost us both matches. Dickie did well but doesn't look comfortable on the left, nevertheless he had a decent game laying on the winner. Poor sod has to play there to accommodate Vyner.
As usual, very harsh on Vyner there RP, at least your consistent Zak has had a spell out injured and needs to get back to his levels of last season. With Atkinson coming back, the competition in the middle should force all 3 to up their games. Each have their pro's and cons, and none are above a mistake or 2, as is Naismith if he were to be deployed at CB again.
You might ask why he was on the floor. The ball was hit from 15yards and it hit the underside of the bar.......immediately above his head. If the shot had been 3" lower everyone would ask why he didn't save it. Max is 6'3" and can touch the bar stood up.........but as usual he throws his legs from underneath him. He's just not a Championship keeper. Don't start me on his distribution Saturday.
I did not intend to lay any of the blame for Zak's own goal on Max but I don't really think he is quite good enough for this division. His distribution often beggars belief because he puts his defenders in awkward positions just outside the penalty area and that more than often leads to trouble. Liam has a difficult task ahead as I still see the same old stuff out there where it matters most, but in all fairness we are still in there challenging but we have to be light years better if we want to stay with the leaders. Norwich will be difficult as always but another 3 points will do nicely thank you very much and my biggest question is whether or not Liam has given Lansdown his Christmas wish list yet? Bah humbug might be the answer.
True or not, doesn’t excuse the header by Zak, don’t get me wrong I think Zak has been one of our best players the last year or two, but since Nige has left he seems to have taken a step back, and that goal was his fault, and he knew it.
This is an interesting comment. Maybe LM is better at the motivation of players than Sykes has seen in his time at BS3?
Me ? Excuse Franz. Never. He hasn't been any different with Pearson or without him. Pearson lauded him as we didn't have any other right-footed defender. Vyner is a plodder who thinks he's a far better footballer than he actually is. He should realise his limitations and just keep it simple. He also weakens the team as we're not getting the best out of Dickie because he has to play left side. Vyner isn't the worst we've had by any stretch, he's a threat on our set pieces at the other end, but we will be better when Dickie plays right side with a left footed defender. I wonder if LM might try a back 3 of Vyner, Dickie and Naismith until/if Atkinson comes back.
We have quite a few players that have mistakes in them not just Zak alone.. looks worse as being usually last defender.. Max the same.. Knight quite often gives the ball away, Naismith has mistakes in him, as does Tanner and Pring. Not sure why Zak always gets pulled up by some on here!!
Because some think they only play because they came through the system ( Max, and Zak), personally I think they are both decent championship players. We need those type of players for stability, as well as ones who are able to go higher, because those don’t stay here long.
