Brilliant performance,ripped Crewe apart,never in doubt....Believe that and you believe in Santa Claus!!
Wilks' natural position is playing as a number 9. It was McCann at Doncaster who played him on the wing. I think the front 3 for the next league game has to be Wilks up top with Mayer and KLP/Scott on the wings.
Thought Crewe played a good game, not that we'd played poorly... Pressed us well in their half, and didn't panic in possession. Credit to GM for the changes that made the difference. Crewe offered nothing in 2nd to be fair. Smallwood making all the difference for me.
Simple surely.... play your best side and if the senior CB's or senior forwards can't c ut it, let the lads who are desperate for the chance have the chance...
Defence was poor today, only Elder came out of it with anything, but that was going forward. Emmanuel seemed to be pushed back more, whether that was our tactics or their players, he didn’t seem to be in the final third enough for me.
I think Terry would argue that he plays magennis to rough up and tire the CH's a bit before making the switch. Not that the he did. Anyway, won without performing particularly well, so ok with that. Worst I've seen De Wijs play, Burke not much better. Maybe the lad from Saints might be worth a run.
Not the best performance, but this is still a team getting to know each other. I agree we should play Wilks down the middle. Mayer should be in from the start from what we have seen from the two cameos. Danger we will overplay KLP, hes still a young kid, but we have options in defence and midfield so promising signs. Get another forward in, we could do well.
Sounded as if Mc played his first get out of jail card. Still 2 played, 2 Won. 3 Goals for, 0 against. 6 points.
How do you drop Magennis today after Gills...? No, he played his part today. What worked is the change at 60m... Agree about CB's....
Think so, he's got blonde hair, kept getting them in down our right 1st half. Nullified themselves 2nd half by sitting deep and trying to defend, which was bizarre considering they were causing us problems
Magennis was great against Gills but ineffective today. You had to start him, but now you have to start Wilks upfront. Important changes are made against West Ham though, could do with another midfielder desperately to give Honeyman/Docherty a rest
Matt Ingram: Made a smart save in the first half to deny Owen Dale. Another quiet afternoon – was called into action in the 90 minute to make a smart save to deny Omar Beckles, which showed great concentration. 7/10 Callum Elder: Bright enough, tried to get forward and support his side going forward. Understandably tired later in the game. Looks a calm and solid influence on the City side. 7/10 Jordy de Wijs: A lapse in the first half gifted an opening to Crewe and a chance which Owen Dale should have taken, made up for it with a fine clearing header a bit later. Could have headed City in front, too. Picked up a booking early in the second. Should have scored and could have given away one in stoppage time at the end. A real up and down display. 5/10 Reece Burke: Like his defensive partner, Burke will probably feel he didn’t have the most solid of displays, against a lively Crewe attack, keen to engage City as often as possible. Did get better as it wore on, unlike de Wijs who just looked unsettled. 6/10 Josh Emmanuel: City’s best player in the first half, produced a couple of timely blocks and also at the other end, looked a threat down the right. Looks a real, real talent. 7/10 Ritchie Smallwood: Efficient enough in his role protecting the defence, did struggle to get the ball down enough and get his side moving the ball quickly enough. Came close-ish with a free-kick and combined nicely with Honeyman which nearly made another. 6/10 Mallik Wilks: An early shot blocked as he showed intent right from the off, faded out of the first half thereafter. Looked much livelier when he went through the middle after the hour and got his second goal in as many games. The proverbial match winner. 8/10 George Honeyman: Started brightly before fading. A sloppy pass which ballooned off his boot late on in the first period probably summed it up. Better in the second half but still shy of his usual standards. 7/10 Greg Docherty: Quiet first half, did put a teasing ball in as the half wore on. Maybe should have had a penalty right on the break. Drifted in and out. Not one of his better displays, well marshalled. 6/10 Josh Magennis: Barely in the game in the opening period, as City struggled to forge any momentum going forward and that theme continued in the second half, before he was withdrawn for debutant Mayer. 5/10 Keane Lewis-Potter: Couple of bright moments early doors, including an overhead kick in the opening exchanges. Faded throughout, but like Magennis, lacked enough ball in areas where he could cause problems and had to come deep in search of it. 5/10 Subs: James Scott (for Lewis Potter 64): His introduction just after the hour along with Mayer sparked City into life, and gave the Tigers much needed impetus. Thomas Mayer (for Magennis 64): Looked lively and certainly seemed to spark his side into life. Picked up a booking for a late tackle on Henry Pickering, but his moment came when he provided a terrific delivery for Wilks to score the winner. 8/10
I think it'd be wise to play Sheaf in midweek if we don't see another body come through the door. Scott looks better every game but I think starting him and Mayer in the cup would be good practice for them both, they seemed to have a good understanding. Mayer in particular stood out today; it's not often one of our continental free transfers actually works out (though Mazuch wasn't bad), but he could be a real asset for us if he keeps up like this (and stays fit).