It's the same old story remote - possession stats don't necessarily have any bearing on the the result. Look at the Jacks at Middlesbrough - had 64% possession and they lost 1-0. It's about the quick use of the ball on the transition rather than passing it backwards and sideways waiting for someone to have a moment of inspiration that never comes. We've got a front line (of sorts), a midfield and a defence, but they play like strangers. The defenders just pass it to another defender - the midfield duo of Ralls and Siopis run around each other trying to destroy rather than create, and I really don't know what Ramsey was trying to prove. One minute he was out on the left wing with Willock and a little later was inter-passing with Ng at right back. I never thought I'd say this but he needs to take a leaf out of Sawyer's book. Stay in the hole and link the play with his mental ability rather than cover every blade of grass at his age. He's still got the brain to do that but not necessarily the body - to me he looked out on his feet after half an hour. I think Bulut is giving him his head on the pitch because he is who he is - I can't believe Bulut is telling him to do that. Time for a reality check all round and play to strengths not wishlists.
Like last season our first away game is at one of the favourites to go up. Not really a game to evidence whether we’ve improved on our last game. In fact looking at the fixtures it may not be until October when we will see how we are faring as aside a trip to Direby it’s a stream of on paper difficult games.
Given the lack of possession we've had in the last few years, I took it as a positive that we were seeing more of the ball. We've often commented on the fact that goals make points, not possession stats.
