If the first XI was decent but there was no depth it would be easier to take but the first XI is piss weak. We've got Longman upfront, Giles on the right wing, Macca looks poor, there's question marks over Jacob, the keeper has never played in the Championship before and Simons is still young and coming back from a tough year. We then make it harder by playing a wide open style so small errors are costing goals and we're getting spanked.
The away support was utterly pathetic in all honesty, some of the condescending chanting will have done them absolutely no good. I’m all for atmosphere but it was just unnecessary tonight. The young lads are doing what they’re told, too much in some cases. Opting for that over what’s right in situations hence the naivety over 60 minutes. I think maybe 3/4 of them will play for the first team this season, early on and will then hopefully get decent loan moves to further themselves towards the end of the window
The first team looked better but they could've easily conceded a couple too. I feel for the young lads, I think the likes of Tinsdale and Hall could've had good games if they'd have had some decent senior pros around them. Throw Ashbee in there too as for a 17 year old he did well, arguably better than Smith. There's definitely some real talent in there though but Walter did that to urge the board, he's looking a lot less happy recently.
We weren’t wide open once the changes were made, they had a few pot shots from distance and that was it. Omur should’ve scored, Giles and Slater also should’ve too. Had that happened the meltdown wouldn’t be anywhere near as bad. Longman probably should’ve had at least one too. We need players. Fast. But people are reading way too much into how a group of teenagers played as a reflection of what will happen this season
Pandur Coyle Jones McLaughlin Giles Simmons Seri Slater Omur Oscar Longman That team is in a relegation battle, add to that no options off the bench and it really does look bleak. I think a winger and CB are essential to start the season with
I agree, he looked pretty decent from where I was sitting right behind the goal to the left. My only concern with him is his stature. He is going to need some protection from set pieces. Big teams like Cardiff will be all over him
Really question what Rosenior saw in a few in training. Furlong was ****e and looks like he’ll never play for us, Vaughan is absolutely miles off senior football, Simons is very raw. Spunked loads on the trio because he felt he was the best place for their development
We kinda were wide open on transition a couple of times, and they got as many clear sights at goal as we did. But I'm open to the idea that with a couple of key roles filled and spine of the squad that knows what it's doing then we'll get to the edge of their box a bit faster. After that it simply comes down to doing better what Rosie couldn't. Creating more goalscoring chances at a far greater rate than the ones we concede.
Furlong was the only one who came out with credit on the last turkey trip. Unfortunately injured himself on the process.
Played well in his only competitive appearance to be fair. Being forced to play out of position did him no favours tonight
He is still a development signing though. Don't so much look at his age but experience. He needs a loan.
To focus on the few positives, I loved the way we could beat their pressure with a single pass into a moving player tonight. Really simple and effective, the couple times the system worked it was really good to watch how it pulls teams apart.
I think it's gonna be a similar story of looking great when it works and frustrating as hell when it doesn't. But at least we'll be getting done from the halfway line not our own final third.
It seems pretty risk free for the most part. Few times the younger lads just needed to play the longer passes, credit to Donny they were very efficient in front of goal. McCann is a good gaffer
We did loads of that last season without scoring enough. The fact we didn't score enough was all people cared about (understandably) and so they ignored or refused to acknowledge that we were actually very good at breaking the press and starting attacks off. We're in a honeymoon period right now, so good buildup that leads to nothing is looked upon favourably. In the longer term it won't be if we don't score enough goals.
We need to break through the lines quicker, we get to the final third and slow it down and that gives them time to get into shape
Thought we did this fine when the first team came on. The youngsters were afraid to make a mistake so missed the key pass
