I noticed on the EFL highlights show our game had nothing from the first half. We should have scored at the end.
I think the biggest difference since Selles took over, is that the players, collectively, as a squad, seem to have a much greater belief in themselves and have the confidence to get back into games when they’ve fallen behind. Even though West Brom scored first (against the run of play), it felt like we were the better team second half and that we were more likely to force a result. It all bodes well for next season, assuming we carry on our recent form for the rest of this one.
The Improvement goes on for me. Without tempting fate City continue to collect points home and away now which given the competitive nature of this division has to be the most pleasing thing of late. The relegation battle has now truly begun but it’s still in our own hands and that’s all you can ask for at this stage. UTT.
Looking at the video clip from behind the goal, although I think Kamara would have chested it in anyway, he was helped by the West Brom defender who shoved him in the back. Hope he gets an assist.
Interesting as well is that most of Walter's points return came in one 3 game winning run - Selles is able to keep form going longer.
Going into the International break, I really hate these, at least we didn’t lose. Good point overall & 11 from the last 18 is decent return, but losing to Cardiff was huge & still only 3 points from safety shows we can’t sit back & relax. No relying on others to beat the teams around us. Reminds me a lot of 06/07 when we survived & sent Leeds down. Hopefully we survive with a similar gap & without end of season drama.
Repeating myself here, but, it was clear at half time that we were missing Puerta. Slater was anonymous and was not much better in the second half. Looked at whoscored and he had a rating of 5.7-its rare that a player ever scores below 6. Recently when Puerta has been playing he has worked really well with Alzate and we defend and attack better. The Crooks experiment did not work as others have said and I look forward to Pedro being restored to lead the line. As an aside anyone know what had happened to Arambat, not even on the bench. I was impressed with his one cameo in the game I saw. Seems a waste of a signing if he is not going to play.
Amrabat was a wasted signing. Crooks has come up with some important goals for us but he doesn’t look to be getting any fitter since he joined us. Still blowing out his arse after half an hour. He plays like he’s five years older than he actually is.
Think he’d be a decent option off the bench if we need some height, physicality and someone making late runs into the box from midfield to get a goal but I wouldn’t want him starting more games than not next season. Hopefully, Zambrano’s ban gets halved and he’s ready for pre-season and him, Puerta and Alzate are our midfield three going forward with Slater, Crooks and one of Palmer/Ömür as options off the bench. Then Matazo should return around Christmas or the new year. We need to have a settled midfield and stop chopping and changing as much as we do barring injuries and suspensions. Walter changed the midfield every game and Sellés is yet to find his best midfield too. In the summer, I don’t think we should sign too many midfielders at all. Priority should be a striker and left-back and a few other additions if necessary.
Crooks was absolutely atrocious in the first half yesterday, not that much better in the second. He was slow, sloppy, and coughed up possession on multiple occasions.
With, I think, a worse pool of available players due to injuries and after taking over a demoralised team flirting with relegation rather than one who’d just missed out on the playoffs. I like him.
Wonderful play by Palmer starts the move and then comes in with an inch perfect header for the assist.
