Duffy, Hills, Slimane the notable absentees form that list. PinkUn suggest it’s a back 5 with Chrisene as the left CB, with the flexibility to shift to a 4. Diallo playing LWB
Both goals coming from Breda just losing control of the ball when in possession; not recommended when playing a high defensive line!
Comfortable win. Darling was excellent in all aspects. First half especially I was not sure who was who ( Forson and Diallo mostly) , so I cannot praise of damn any of them too much as I may have the wrong player. But no player was less than decent that I could see. Edit:- And Nunez played the full 90 I believe. And there was much more positivity in playing out from the back.
Crnac my MOM; Cordoba excellent when he came on; Forson improving with every outing; Fisher understandably looked rusty and off the pace.
With a goal and an assist for Sargent's goal, it's hard to argue with that, but Darling was also impressive. Much will depend on last year's young recruits kicking on in their second season and that seems to be the case in preseason with Crnac, Forson, Córdoba and Schwartau. It's a pity that Mahovo hasn't had that opportunity because of injury.
I think the only fair comment on his performance would have to be "too early to judge". Obviously needs time to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, teammates and modes of play. No disputing his size though!
I desperately hope you are right but when I look at the other teams in the Championship I have serious doubts, I am a lot more hopeful than I was two months ago but I think top 8 is a realistic target with a big push the season after if, and its a big if, the new young players continue to progress. At least we seem to have seen the last of Duffy as a first choice CB. Very interesting season ahead but patience might be needed with one or two of the youngsters.
You are obviously expecting "youngsters" to feature as first team regulars this season, 1950. Who, apart from Jacob Wright (turns 20 next month), do you have in mind?
From last season's crop, I'd include Crnac, Schwartau, McConville, Jurásek and Mahovo, but we've now added Diallo and Makama as well (both 21). There will be less pressure on them now we've added a range of 23-26 year olds as well (Darling, Medić, Kvistgaarden and Topic) to shield some of the pressure. If Sargent stays there will be less pressure and expectation on Crnac and Kvistgaarden will spread the load as well. This is a much healthier way to create development paths for younger players than what we had last season, especially when injuries occur.
You could also include Forson is 22, Chrisene is 21, Fisher 21. Gibbs (22) feels like he needs a loan but may need to be kept around until January as a depth option while McLean is out injured. It’s an interesting point on spreading the load, IF, and I appreciate it’s a big IF, Sargent stays…we potentially have 3 other options in the 9 that could help us manage Sargents minutes and mean that we don’t have to flog him for 90mins a game. Personally I believe he has just been unfortunate with a couple of big contact injuries, but if it is a physical thing with his high intensity style then being able to spread the minutes could be really beneficial. The 3 players I’m thinking that could play the 9 are Kvistgaarden, Crnac and Makama. Marcondes would also be a current option but I think he will have left by the end of the window.
Spreading the load is one way, but there is also squad rotation, especially in weeks with two games. Kvistgaarden is another whose minutes have to be managed so he and Sargent could mix and match that way, with Cynac another option to move into the middle to allow Jurásek game time. Makama is another option. It's interesting that Diallo played as a WB yesterday (he's talked about how much he likes defending defending) which offers another option. It's also becoming obvious that Manning will be flexible about tactical formations to counter opposing teams and be less predictable. He now has the players to do that. As for possible leavers, Manning has mentioned Duffy and Slimane by name. Marcondes is another possibility, but he and Schwartau are our only primary AMs, though Forson can also play behind the striker, as can Myles, so we'll have to wait and see.
