Let's be fair, the defence did very well considering we basically had no midfield. And I find it harsh to dig at Diedhiou given he had feck all service.
thing is we have played crap twice now but picked up 2 points we would likely of lost the Brentford game heavily last season and millwall would of probably nicked it so we look harder to beat, the only change from the first three games too the last 2 is Hegeler he kind of brings the ball out of defence and does simple passes which likely helps the team in a creative way, but then you lose a bit of defensive ability when he is played. I expect him and flint to start against Watford will be interesting test for them both flint most physical and imposing cb alongside most creative could be a good alternative pairing
no doubt this was 2 points dropped. We need to be doing better against teams that are tipped to struggle or we will be joining them again. Pack & Smith together as a midfield pair are either great or awful at the same time, very rare one has a mare without the other.
I cant remember a striker who I can honestly say has had good service at the Gate. Possibly as far back as super Bob? Even Tammy and Kodjia relied on their own inventiveness to get goals. Maybe its a matter of time, settling in, but for me he looks as if he is struggling with fitness and the physicality of the championship. I hope I am wrong, but I expected a bit more with a 5m price tag.
Me personally would put Hegelar in midfield and drop either Pack or Smith and play with Hegelar slightly back to bring it out.
Certainly would drop Smith. More of his passes went a white shirt rather than a red. Probably paased backwards as much as he did forward. Dwells on the ball giving the opposition too much thinking time
A fit and in-form Smith is probably our best midfielder, but his constant injuries possibly affects him being able to find said form. Everyone's allowed a bad day at the office, just as long as it doesn't become the norm - unfortunately, we probably needed at least five subs on Saturday.
We need two better central midfielders. The ones we have are good enough for relegation threatened places, but to push on we need better. And I don't mean any disservice to those two. If this area was addressed I believe we would be classed as a safe to top end of the finished table. But foe some reason we don't seem to want to improve in this area.
We definitely need to tighten the midfield, but I think alongside a top centre mid, Korey Smith would more than suffice. He just needs to play alongside a certain type of player.
If we get rid of Marlon Pack it will be another 'Ayling' situation again within 6 months.. playing amazing for someone else. he is a very good player, yes he has average games. but the lads a player. Korey Smith, massively overrated for me.
