I thought they were dreadful tonight... Their crossing has become terrible. Defensively, they work brilliantly, but Pilkington's crossing, in particular, was awful. Added to that a couple of mishits from Whittaker and I ended up begging that we just played it through the middle... Maybe theyre tired and we should start Bennett and Surman on Saturday? Still, a draw playing badly and our shakiest defensive performance for six matches is nothing to cry about!
I've not been too impressed with Pilks form recently, apart from the goal that beat ManUre, I think E Bennett should be given a chance to show what he can bring to the team. Small point CR - our next game is the televised one at 16:00 on Sunday!!!
I disagree about Sunderland being a MUST win, we're pretty comfortable in the table and on a good run, and Sunderland are a good team despite being on a poor run, it's not going to be a walk over for us, priority for me is keeping the unbeaten running going and the confidence high. I think 20 points by January will be great, I really think we'll be at our best when the fixtures come thick and fast and teams squads really come into play and it also means we can get in this striker I think we may need to giving us more attacking edge.
Fair points, but I feel we need six points from our next four games, however we can, because it's a dreadful Christmas run after that...
I think you're probably right, that would be ideal. I think we can do that as well, but if we don't not sure it's deep trouble. Still think tinkering is needed until Hughton gets best out of players.
It's a bit of a curious situation at the moment. On the one hand, we have been averaging 2 points per game for the last 7 games which is Top 4 form. On the other hand, we still only have just over a point a game for the season which is relegation form. I don't think the game on Sunday is a must win at all, but I do think we need to capitalise on our good run and keep picking up points, because it will come to an end at some point.
Yep just back from game, crossing was shocking ESP pilks Snoddy was getting a lot of grief from our fans for giving the ball away For me, Wes or tettey were MOTM A well deserved point
Pretty much what I was saaying to another fan last night - 20 points by Xmas would be over half-way to safety IMO. Also, hopefully we'll get another striker in then to help us convert some of our chances.
I would try Snodgrass on the left and benno on the right, there's no harm in having him out there on the left. I always find that left footed player on the wing takes an age to get the ball in the box and cos its usually rushed its a poor ball. Snoddy has been miles ahead of pilks though in crossing ability.
I actually thought Snodgrass had a decent game apart from the odd bad cross, and he was certainly better than Pilkington, who was dreadful from start to finish. Bassong MOM for me.
Plus despite playing on the right, Snodgrass ALWAYS checks inside before delivering a (frequently overhit) ball in with his left foot. I'd love to see Bennett play wide right as a) he is right sided anyway and b) he's much better at tracking back and generally has a much better 'engine' Try Snodgrass on the kleft, then if that doesn't work out, there's still Pilks and or Surman on the bench, ideally
really? i thought snoddy was average - maybe that's how good he gets. he is incredibly slow and rarely seems to take the man on - that is my main gripe. Benno should have had more than 5 mins on the pitch. some crossing practice shouldn't go amiss - weren't we good at crossing last year, all those headed goals??
I would give Snodgrass a 6.5 rating. Sure he made some simple errors, but he got in some very good positions and showed some touches of real class and skill. Pilks on the other hand was pure garbage, so Bennett should of come on for him.
that's fair about pilks, he had an off day. yep snoddy 6.5 or 6. i was too high up the stand to notice some of that skill from Snoddy! certainly there were plenty of people near me moaning at him most of the game. If only he could take on a player on.
We had one or two below par performances but we have to allow the odd bad one if the rest of the team are performing and thus not upsetting the balance. Pilks was awful but I bet he still starts on Sunday.
I'm guessing that Snodgrass gets the nod every week because he's a Hughton signing, whereas Elliott Bennett is not. The 'new look' Hughton defence is excellent - and proving itself week after week, but the lack of wide support to Holt and Hoolers is becoming more of a concern with every match. Don't be too 'down' on Lambert's signings, Mr Chris - they still have a great deal to offer. Especially wide on the right hand side of the pitch
i've seen us and both reading and Saints, in those games i wondered where a goal was going to come from with open play. the defensive side is good, Braders and tettey are very good at breaking it up and wining the ball back. it the offensive side that looks a bit weak at the moment, and i say at the moment especially on the wing. Hopefully it will come. i agree with cromer, he doesn't seem to rate E Bennett, or Howson much; both seem to be perenial substitutes near the end of the game. Maybe he should have put elliot on with 20 mins left last night to have a run at Shaw and then the even younger guy who came on? these are all fairly minor points given our great run
I agreed with CH bringing in 10 new players (including the great wisdom of bringing Bunn in) to augment the squad and create competition for places, but with 3 games in a week, now seems the time to utilise that competition and also give some hard working players a rest. I agree that Bennett deserves a chance and would like to see Howson give Johnson a rest. There are a lot of matches in December and City should use the full squad to keep things fresh, IMO.
