We know the coach is not good enough at this level. I was starting to wonder if we have the players to survive at this level I think we do especially when the new manager adds 2/3 signings in January.
Wednesday'll be a much bigger test than today. Away from home, Cardiff on a bit of a run, like us, I just hope McCann doesn't muck about with the team too much and break up whatever confidence they picked up from today. Not sure what he can do about Bernard's absence though, challenging!
It's weird that he's never mentioned any more. Thought he was really promising at one point but his injuries have stopped him getting a game for so long, it feels like his chance of making it as a first teamer is fading.
I find it bizarre really. He hasn’t gone out on loan for whatever reason, and he’s nowhere near our bench even. If he’s fit and available for selection, I don’t know what the club plans to do with him. He gets regular games for the u23s but I think he’s wasted there. The lad needs regular games in men’s football. He’s good enough for League 1 and 2 at the very least imo. Fleming at City is in a similar situation to Slater at the Blunts.
My first thought when I saw the team sheet was McCann had finally decided to ditch the 433 because new owners were in the offing. Then I heard about Emmanuel and Elder and realised he was forced into it. We just look much better balanced playing 352, why he can't see it God only knows. A really good game to watch, we were the better side both before the sending-off and after, so to get the bit of good fortune with the first goal was making your own luck. Greaves was excellent, but all the back 3 were, good to see McLoughlin getting a run of games, hasn't put a foot wrong so far. I was very impressed with Baxter, he has to keep the shirt for the time being. KLP and Longman were also excellent, Wilk's is still off the pace, even though he scored, and Longman should be in for him at present. The 3 midfielders also did well, Honeyman really makes us tick, he got caught in possession a couple of times, which with the first one he has to thank Baxter for pulling off a great save from Hogan, but overall he was everywhere and effective. Same again at Cardiff, what we will do at the back really depends on whether either Emmanual or Elder will be available. I would stick with 352, bring Mills in as a third centre back or could we recall Smith (right footer) or Festus from Salford & Barrow respectively?
Excellent summary John. Agree with everything you said. The 352 has transformed our offense with Longman and KLP as left and right wingbacks respectively while the back three looked solid and Elder likely to be back in for the Cardiff game and hopefully Emmanuel fit again to come in on the right side for the suspended Bernard. While Baxter should keep his place in goal based on his last two performances. Honeyman and Doherty are both back to near their best to add additional striking power. Wilks remains a question mark but there is still no obvious candidate to replace him alongside Magennis up front. A strong experienced replacement should be our No.1 priority in the window. Lets hope we can keep our win streak going at Cardiff and move further up from the relegation zone. Another win should give McCann a further stay of execution until our new Ownership is in place. UTT !!!
Enjoyed the game, looked comfortable right through, once they went down to ten men it made it hard for them, however we were the better side even when they had eleven on the pitch. Longman had his best game to date he was outstanding. Overall very good performance and a much needed three points.
Yeah I'd heard he was injured a while ago, but I've not heard any mention of what it is or how long he'll be out for. It's been a good while already.
I like Baxter, he has the arrogance of MacGregor. When he was getting pelted by the odd bottle, I thought he made a point of not just throwing them off the pitch, but carrying them individually to very close to their fans, as if to say 'you lot are n't intimidating me!', while also wasting some time. Also did the often repeated pretending to drink out the bottle! Cue a further barrage of bottles, and Baxter innocently walking towards the half way line.
He also got a round of applause from a lot of theirs for pretending to drink from the bottle They aren’t all ****s
I very much enjoyed the linesman getting pelters from their fans as he checked the nets at the North Stand end before the second half, yet received a standing ovation from our fans as he took his place in front of the East. He knew.
I missed that, obviously stood in a Galatasary esq wall of noise that is east stand. Incidentally in googling how to spell Galatasary I notice they play Fenerbache in the Instanbul derby at 4pm. Might be worth a watch if a stream is available?
Sky do 15 minute highlights of each championship game on a Sunday morning, nice watching the last weeks
Replying to a conversation I kind of started in the MoTM thread (sorry) about McLoughlin and his one-footedness Yeah, it's what made me think of it. McLoughlin reminds me a lot of early McShane - solid defender but when he decides he can play football and runs with it, anything could happen, good or bad
First time I ever saw someone do that was Dennis Wise playing for Chelsea when we got hammered at home by them in the Cup (Boothferry Park days), some wag slung a can of pop at him as he walked over to take a corner, he calmly stopped, picked it up raised it to the south stand and took a swig, laughed me arse off and tbh majority in South stand applauded and cheered him.
I know this may not be well received but Mcann has always got City playing passing football so even when poor results have happened some of our football has been decent to watch . I know it’s the formation and obvious weaknesses that are agreed but though it worth a mention . I think with some more quality we would out pass and out work almost all teams in this division . Trouble is he didn’t compromise to get a ‘ result’