The mentality of the players does seem fantastic which is why the second was so unexpected and really shocked me. We ain't been top of a league for a bloody long time and I want it to last so those 2 dropped points hurt.
Just in. Poured a much needed drink. 2 points lost today sadly. After the first half it is a bitter pill to swallow. I dont like criticising coaches. Very easy to be a coach when in the stands. But today I think Regis showed an instinct he needs to think about. They say 2-0 is the most dangerous lead. It is because any side will throw caution to the wind. I said to my cousin they have some good players and will come hard at us second half. Rigg looked absolutely knackered imo, and was struggling to cover his ground. The injury to Browne was a shame, but I thought he was poor at the time and offering little, but to bring a defender on at that stage was an odd decision to say the least. 20 odd minutes to go and essentially Neil being asked to be a 1 man midfield. What today showed clearly, is the Jobe sized hole in out midfield is enormous. In particular when we are in the lead, his game mentality in that situation is elite. I supposr we know Aleksic isnt trusted yet. Regis says he is struggling with the language, which I understand. But I wonder whether had he had a Ba or Adil on the bench today it would have been a better option for Browne. Have to say I am disappointed with Roberts and Hume for those 2 yellows. Really put us under more pressure than is needed at Milwall. Bit more intelligence needed. Above said we had chances to get a 3rd. And should have taken one. And the 2 goals we scored were worthy of 3 points. The Wilson finish is ridiculously good, sensational. I am 100% behind Regis. I do think there a few things for him to reflect on and learn from though. Sure he will. Sounds ridiculous saying that when we are top of the league and still having had a great start. Personally I still think we are on course for the top 2. We will be better as an attacking side second half of the season imo. Maybe a signing or two in Jan is needed for a bit of variety. Make some space in the squad and get a couple in. Onwards and upwards. Break coming at the right time for once imo.
Team for the next game might be interesting if we are missing Hume, Jobe, Browne, Mundle and Roberts....
I understand that, it still hurts and annoys but by 5pm I’ve put it behind me, like I said seen it all before.
Disappointed in Browne again today, just doesn't look right in our midfield, had high hopes when he signed from what people had said about him, but I just don't see it at present and it's putting more pressure on Rigg and Neil. I'm hoping it's just him getting up to speed. Thought Mayenda would have got a run ahead of Connelly today, we missed his work rate when Isidor went to the left.
I don't understand the Connolly substitution at all. Isidor had caused Coventry problems all day and was winning his fair share of headers. Connolly offered nothing.
They are in decent form. It will show whether our squad is really deep enough. I suspect not, but it is only my opinion. I might be tempted to work on a 3 at the back system. Ballard, Mepham, Onien. Cirkin playing the left wing back role. Might need a player like Ba to come in for the right wing back role, which seems highly unlikely I suppose. Playing Watson there could cause him a setback. Maybe for one game only we ask Rigg to play that role. Without Jobe I would play a doubelle pivot. The lack of cover Neil doesnt get without Jobe is really noticeable. Who can play that role though? Probably only Jobe. Then a front 3? It is clear Wilson is really only a striker. Watson I would trust on the left. Who could play on the right? To be honest, I am pleased I am not Regis, seems we will find it tough if all them are out. A bit frustrating the likes of Poveda and Samed arent able to get or stay fit. It would be good to have them as options. I dont really rate Poveda, but would still like to see him as an option, and again my opinion is probably wrong on him. A sheff wed mate said he was great at times for them. Over to Regis. I dont have the know how to make a cohesive team if they are all out for sure.
All that means nowt though we know what is coming here this happens too often, well being at the top while it lasts was canny but we need 50 points to stop up we are that bad.
He definitely hasnt found his feet yet. I watched him at Preston, and he was a really solid midfielder. Never an 8 or a 9, but never below a 6 or 7. He seems a bit off it for us so far. Even experienced pros can take time to adjust though. I wont worry about him for a few months yet. When you look at his position, which is really an 8, it shows the talent we have with Jobe and Rigg. They both look better at a very tender age.
With so many people missing I wouldn't be messing with the system - try and keep some consistency. I reckon Mepham will play RB Struggling to see how the midfield looks with us potentially missing Browne and Mundle in addition to Jobe & Roberts
Only thing I thought was Mayenda isn't quite fit? I'm not seeing what Connelly brings to be honest, he seemed forever caught in no man's land today, neither pressing their defence or helping in midfield
If they were all out I wouldn't mind Rusyn on the right with Watson on the left. Zak Johnson filling in at RB for a one off, he's played there before and looked like a CB out of position but was solid enough. Midfield is tricky, personally I'd play O'Nien DM and push Neil up alongside Rigg with Ballard at CB.
That was definitely a game of two halfs. First half was the Sunderland team that got us to the top of the table. Second half was the Sunderland team with the soft underbelly that we saw last season. Think RLB has had a lot of credit heaped on him this season and rightly so, but today he got a lot of things wrong with his changes. Having said that we had enough clear cut opportunities to put the game to bed, which we failed miserably to do, so some of the players have to carry the can too. This was a game we could have won comfortably, but threw it away. We move on and hopefully learn from this.
Aye, probably for the best mate. Where we get a midfield 3 from is my concern. The ask of Neil today was too much. Milwall will look to dominate that area of the pitch. I just think 3 cbs are an extra layer of safety.
Connolly was poor when he came on. Mind you that gaps between the team, the lone striker were enough to steer a cruise ship through. By that point, imo, our tactics had handed them all the cards.
It might be time for RLB to climb down and reintroduce Aouchiche and Ba to the squad. Alternatively he gives Harrison Jones a chance Worse case scenario Patterson Mepham Ballard O'Nien Cirkin Neil Jones Ba Aouchiche Watson Isidor Not a chance this is the team like. Hjelde will be slotted in there somewhere no doubt
I wonder if browne misses be might put Alese back in, wouldn't be ideally changing the CBs but could have a back 4 of Mepham Ballard Alese Cirkin O9 goes into CM (I don't love that but we might have to for 1 game)
