Match Day Thread Only Lost Five v The Champions

Anyone concerned at this defeat? We know we had a few players out, Sunderland had practically a full first team out. I just don’t like losing, even friendlies. Especially when the season starts next week, and we still don’t look up to match pace.

It’s not being a poodle either. It’s thinking the team should be starting to show what they are about given the season starts next week.

 

Yes and no. I thought we actually defended for the most part well, didn't think they caused too many issues, 1st was sloppy and came from a Doc error. 2nd I don't really care as half the team was kids.

The midfield was what concerned me most. Without Honeyman it just doesn't work, Docherty gets pushed on and I don't think that role suits him. Smallwood wasn't great but I thought Cannon improved in the 2nd half. He looks a useful addition. First half we completely lost the midfield battle though and that's a concern. We just completely lack dynamism without Honeyman and we really miss either Jones or Slater in there. The defensive job they do is far superior to Smallwood. Hopefully, we can get these 2 midfielders in asap, it wouldn't surprise me if both started next weekend as we're pretty short in there. I'm hoping 1 of the 2 possesses real quality on the ball.

It's always difficult to judge in pre-season, and the game tomorrow means our bench was just kids. They were bringing on players like Grigg & Diamond compared to us bringing on the 23s. Snelgrove & Jarvis both look useful though.

 

It sounds like a half-decent performance, Longman sounds to be a good addition. Smallwood is my concern, we need a better player in that position. Would rather see A Jones there, and play this new lad alongside Greaves. If Elder is out for the first game, looks like Coyle on the left and Emmanual on the right would be my guess.

 

They're gonna win the league.

 

I am concerned. It wasn’t a friendly in stifling heat etc
We should have played as near the first team as possible and worked on our shape and playing together in a competitive match
Same as the left back spot
Make a decision and play either coyle or Emmanuel there for the full game. They need as much time as possible to get used to it in a proper game.
ive no idea how Preston will be but we looked under cooked and we need to hit the ground running next Saturday.

 

You think Will Grigg is good? He's been utter garbage for us

Diamond is one of our youth. He's not a first team player.

 

About 6 or 7 of the first team were out last night. We were missing our star players like McGeady and Pritchard who should really be able to open the opposition up.

 

What you think to gooch, saff?

I like the look of him few times I’ve seen him. Wouldn’t a minded him coming here

 

Yeah he's a good player, mate. He's got a cracking engine on him and chips in with goals and assists when he is played further up the pitch. If we ever manage to get to the dizzy heights of the Championship again, I believe he's one of the few that will step up.

That young cb we've got from Man City, Doyle, he's only 17 and he's been arguably our best player every game we've played. He's definitely going to be a top premier league player one day and one to keep an eye out for.

 

I'd rather have one of the youngsters in there than Smallwood or even Hudd'.... this division will pass Smallwood by in a flash I'm afraid...

 

Where have we heard this before about our centre mid captain

 

... except Smallwood isn't fit to lace Ashbee's boots (as the saying goes).
TWT, but he ain't good enough if we have any ambition to make a mark on CCC.
What concerns me more is that we've moved up a division, and it is a big step up, yet we aren't really any stronger than last season. We can debate if we've strengthened or not, I don't see that we have, but even if we have, it's marginal at best. As you say, the season starts next week.
Hope I'm wrong, but I fear a rude awakening. If it's not v's Preston, then it's coming, unless there's at least a couple of quality signings coming in that really do strengthen us - something that is looking less and less likely the more we've heard recently.

 

Friendlies..phfff
I saw league 2 City (old money) stuff League 1 Coventry 3-0, back in the day, and we all thought potential Champions. We got relegated that season!!! Coventry finished 8th in the top league.

 

So is Smallwood the new target for negativity? Just so I know for the upcoming season.

 

I'll check where this result leaves us in the league...

 

Not new, I disliked many of his performances last season too....

 

Diamond played over 20 times for you last season, he's a first-team player without question. And no I don't think Grigg is good but he's a first-teamer and my point was that we were bringing kids on who only made their u23s debuts towards the back of last season.

 

It’s ridiculous isn’t it
Absolutely no problems in fact all saying just what we needed first half of the season. Kid gets injured and he know becomes the worst player ever. Plays a couple of end of season games regaining his fitness and didn’t shine so that’s it he’s a liability.
There’s massive question marks against our entire squad, for various reasons,
Inexperience- Wilks klp greaves Jones.
Never played regularly at this level-
Magennis docherty elder Coyle Emmanuel Ingram honeyman.
smallwood is the only player to have played in the championship for any length of time.
I’d say his experience is invaluable. He’s the only one who cajoles and bollocks other players and gets into the ref too.

ive no idea who out of this team will step up to this level but to pick on one player is piss poor. Before a balls even kicked ffs

 

I get your sarcasm. We are however a week off the league starting and we have looked well below match pace.

 

Do you expect anything less from certain "fans"