There's a lot of criticism of Abu Kamara concerning a perceived attitude problem, him supposedly not caring and lacking effort etc but as this response to the goal shows, he's simply not a very demonstrable person. It's interesting to note the various reactions here though. On scoring he takes a step towards going to the right corner to celebrate, thinks better of it and goes towards Pedro , thus acknowledging that Pedro's role in the goal was bigger than his of kicking the ball into an open goal. Attitude? Ego? It would appear not. He's congratulated by most of his teammates with what looks like genuine warmth - hugs and pats on the back etc not just a cursory well done. But Abu himself gives a muted response - no shouts, no wild celebrations, no fist clench. This is in no way a criticism. I think it's just the way he is and that's that. I feel people misinterprete that as poor attitude, not caring etc and I don't believe it is that. For a couple of reasons he didn't get off to the best start with us; I hope now he kicks on and becomes an important part of the team over the next few years.
Still not mathematically out of it, either. Win all our remaining games this season, we would have 69 points which this year might be enough, because at the moment the final two play-off places are a very low bar.. Though I suspect that mathematical flicker will be snuffed out come 5pm Saturday.
Think Kamara is a good example of our squad overall especially a lot of the signings in the summer. A young player with a lot of potential but will need a bit of TLC to make the step. He’s got quality in abundance with the ball I feel but like you say there’s moments where effort wanes a bit and lets him down. Hughes is in the same category as someone who is good now but has moments where you say youth in him. He nearly gave the ball away in a key area and thankfully we didn’t get punished. But his overall good outweighs the bad. If we do stay up you hope that the squad core is there to make a push of playoffs next year. I don’t foresee many coming knocking for our players just yet
It’s a lot warmer there my daughter and brood have just got back, pissing down here in the mountains near Málaga–Costa boo hoo lol
Another thing with Kamara, when he's running at full speed he looks like he's jogging which gives an impression of him not being arsed - like when he outpaced their defender for that chance last night, things like that I think have helped to create this unfair view on him and his attitude
I've been critical of him for not being consistent and it's the type of performance last night that I'd like to see more often. I guess it comes with being a younger player, you don't master your skillset by 21 and he's got to keep going and backing himself. But he was fantastic last night, we just need to see him follow it up in the next game and I think getting a goal and playing well will give him a bit of a boost. The point about him being muted is a good one, some players are like that, they let their football do the talking and treat scoring goals like it's what they're supposed to do, rather than a special moment. I'm sure he did enjoy it, maybe it's just his way of keeping his feet on the ground and focusing.
Absolutely and totally agree with this, well said, I always go back to never let a lie get in the way of the truth, bollocks will always be bollocks no matter how it’s dressed up….
The unseen positive influence of Jao Pedro. He's made me eat my early words The whole pie, not just a slice of it.
I think he’s absolutely fantastic. Really hope he’s here next season - one of my favourite strikers for a while.
He's a proper winner. The work he puts in, the demands he places on himself as shown by his reaction whenever he misses a chance, the selflessness in front of goal. All signs of someone who's desperate to win and knows how to. We could do with more players with his spirit and know-how.
It's ages since we've had a comfortable, routine result like that at home. Getting that second goal and being able to relax a bit just hasn't happened enough. You could see the players glee in the celebration of the second goal in particular. I hope they got a taste for it and will be desperate to get into that position again in future games, and learn not to ease off at 1-0 up. Oxford next week are another plucky League 1 side who we should be able to dispatch. Let's make it the norm.
I wonder if I was the only one, as the clock inched towards 96 mins, thinking that if they get one back now there won't be time for the restart. I think I relaxed on 95 minutes
Ha ha. I was near enough the same - although with me it was 95mins 30secs to be precise. I guarantee it wouldn't have been just you and me!
