That's odd about O'Brien, don't know why he'd be playing deep centrally when we've got two CMs there. Surely he must have been told to play out wide whether he did or not is another matter. Sounds like there were a few too many of the old square pegs in round holes and players unfamiliar with each other for us to get going.
I am watched a small Egyptian fella atm... he might improve our side... bit older than 23 mind. I guess what I expected from our side tonight was some players to give it their best shot, put their hands up and say pick me for the 1st team. Other than say Younger (mr X said hello also) nobody played with well with any passion, as if their football career depended on it.
Younger looked calm and relaxed when coming out of defence with the ball, 1 or 2 paases astay, but thought he'd shown enough to make the match day squad.
I couldn't agree more. I said the same about Benji, he was the only bright spark that looked like making something happen.
Agree with that but we did have a few chances late on, not going to get too upset with the result and prefer to concentrate on the league.
It's annoying about Dajuku. The lad sees himself as a forward sitting off the main striker and he's being told to play at wing back.
Are second string squad has got us the the 1/4 of cup, we Let's be honest most of the under 23s won't play a single league game this season,
Never like to see us losing , what was concerning was how easily we were to beat and the lack of desire to try and get back in to the game . A lot of the younger players will or should be disappointed in not staking a claim to get in to the first team picture .
was hoping for a bit of passion on the pitch, young lads out to impress but they basically went through the motions, no idea what AoB was doing, type of game he should be taking by the scruff of the neck and helping the younger lads along and he was very wasteful...even at one point turning to LJ to whine about not being able to make the pass he wanted. embleton should also have stamped some authority but he also just ran around, one or two nice passes per game is not going to get him regular starts i reckon. anyway, no injuries to first teamers is a bonus, have never been bothered about the cups other than it gives the lads not usually in the team a nice run out...so not too upset at this apart from the lack of fight, seemed very flat.
I’m glad we are out of this comp, we’ve already won it and it’s something I’m personally not interested in winning again. I’m glad the youngsters got a run out for the first team, and I’m sure the experience will do them good. On to Saturday, haway LJ let’s keep the unbeaten 3 game league run going.
There's a part of me that thinks...We don't need to be in this cup, we have bigger fish to fry, ..We played a second string team...Who Cares, its a Micky Mouse cup... But then there's another part of me that yells....Thats another 4 division club that has kicked us out of a cup competition at home, both in the bottom half of the fourth division that latest one is second bottom. I am acutely aware where the clubs priorities are and in the overall scheme of things this is a trivial game in our season, but to be beaten AT HOME twice by struggling 4th division teams just seems a little more than concerning to me.
My ratings from last night now my fingers have defrosted: Burge 5 - comfortable enough on crosses and shots. Horrific with the ball at his feet. Thank God we have the Hoff Dajaku 3 - Absolute coward out of possession, offers just short of **** all in possession. Will be back in German 3rd tier next season Alves 0 - Another coward who is apparently employed by a Premier League club but has zero courage and gives zero ****s Xhemajli 7 - Looked comfortable on the ball and untroubled by their front line. Very encouraging display Younger 5 - Looks comfortable enough on the ball but has zero courage of his convictions. Too small to make it in L1, should retrain as full back or midfielder Dunne 3 - Oh dear. Way, way out of his depth and has zero understanding of the positional requirements of a wing back Wilding 4 - Not good enough O'Brien 5 - Started well and looked comfortable in an unusual position but took no responsibility as the game wore on. Embleton 5 - Usual "all fart and nee ****e" performance from him. Not sure if this is a blip or his early season form was an anomaly Kimpioka 3 - Utter ****e Harris 6 - Lots of running and offered a bit of a physical threat. Not much in the way of attacking intent though Subs: Kachosa 4 - Slightly less **** than Dajaku. Another one who looked way out of his depth. The ball he let roll out for a throw at the end summed him up Dyce 5 - Plenty of endeavour but another one who offered very little and looks a distance short of being good enough Wearne 6 - Showed more in 20 mins that Embleton, O'Brien or Wilding did the rest of the match. Surprised he didn't start the game Overall, I'm glad we're out the competition but 3 defeats at home to League 2 clubs (and struggling L2 clubs at that) isn't a great look
Northern Echo, like me, gave motm to Younger. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/19756136.match-ratings-sunderland-0-oldham-1/
