Yeah it completely nullified any attacking threat we had in open play. Charles chance was the last one we had from memory, which was from a corner Edozie won I think, or maybe Mara and the commentator was just calling him Edozie Maybe he thought that Adams and Armstrong were more likely to score any of the chances we fluffed earlier, unfortunately neither of them would’ve created those chances so a bit redundant. Could also of been to save Edozie and Sulemana for Birmingham as well I suppose, but we will see when that line up is announced. Wouldn’t surprise me to see neither in the starting 11
I can live with that. As I said to Libby on the way to Bristol City, I really didn't want it to be an evening game or changed date.
There was a moment in the 2nd half when Sulemana was given a great chance to use his pace with only Konate close to him. He sort of jogged for 20 yards instead of putting on the burners. Konate dealt with him easy. Knew then he was tired.
Possibly, Konate was very impressive when he came on as well. The angles he was taking against our attackers were far better than the youngsters so not even sure Sulemanas pace would’ve got past him tbh
I think Sulemana does that too often, not just when tired. I actually shouted “go” at the screen when that happened but it seems to be his “thing” to let defenders get level with him and then try to go past them in the first 10 yards. Works well when he is closer to the by line and the defender is squared up, but not always as effective if the defender is already running towards his own goal.
Russell Martin gave a four-minute response to the Will Smallbone abuse earlier today: I feel really sorry for Will that it's got to that point and I don't like social media for that reason. It has become a cesspit of negativity and toxicity and a place where people feel they can say something they would never say to their face. About someone they don't know as well. Everybody is so quick to pass judgement and express an opinion. I am not on it but I have been made aware of it and some of the stuff I have seen, I just don't understand what human being says those things. It is to someone who, if you are a supporter, tries to give everything every day to your football club - a football club he loves. He has been desperate to play for this football club and he has been here since he was a kid. You then have to understand some of the things Will has been through on his journey and the pain he has been through. Whatever you think of him, he plays a lot because he is brilliant and he is a fantastic young man who is growing a lot. It has been a privilege to work with him and to understand his story and what he has been through to get to this point. Judge people as footballers but some of the stuff written has been disgusting. I'd love to sit down with that person and understand why. What is going on in their life that they feel they have to write something like that? I am really protective of my players. Will is one of the best people I have ever worked with so it makes me angry and sad that it has come to this. Will has dealt with it in a way he feels is fit and if I had my choice, none of them would be on social media - I don't see the advantage. There are a lot of, for want of a better word, idiots and unhappy people that want to project their unhappiness on other people. When I first started, it was the start of message board and online forums. The lads told me about it. The first three things I read about myself, one said I was functional but drone-like in midfield and they were probably right. I thought, 'I'm not reading that again'. Then you start questioning everything if you don't have a strong sense of self. I believe Will does have a strong sense of self with what he has been through so I don't worry about Will. I really hope that I get to celebrate on the pitch with Will having achieved something special and this means absolutely nothing. It would be a slap in the face for someone who wrote it. Of course, criticise players as footballers - but don't overstep the line. There are more important things in life, although it doesn't feel like it at times, but there really are. I love Will and we will support him however he needs but I have no worries and if he is on the pitch tomorrow, he will be great. I have also asked him to perform a different role recently and I think he has been great but that's my fault if you don't agree. Don't judge him on that if you don't think he has performed well there. But he is so tactically flexible and will continue to be. I am upset if it comes to that but I guess that is the modern day and age. I don't like my children on it and I fear for the next generation. There is no accountability at all and it makes me feel sick.
Just watched it, his man management is first class, well said Russell. Sad ****ers with no life is probably what he wanted to say.
Fulham, Everton and Southampton are keeping tabs on Coventry City's 25-year-old English attacking midfielder Callum O'Hare. (Sun)
This season Che Adams and Adam Armstrong have the same minutes per goal/assist record, and Che actually has the better minutes per goal: Minutes per Goal: Che Adams: 149 Ryan Fraser: 168 Adam Armstrong: 169 Minutes per Goal/Assists: Che Adams: 105 Adam Armstrong: 105 Ryan Fraser: 122
Looking close to a sell out for Sunderland on Saturday. Only singles left except for block 43. Must mean they returned some which is a bit of a surprise.
