Agree with what you suggest on Ng. Even if all CB’s are fit, Chambers is ahead of Osho. Osho yesterday seemed to shrug off his appalling back pass with a smirk. What Hunt said on Trott makes no sense; an oxymoron.
I wasn't there but from what I've read BBM did the right thing to protect the lead as Reading were pushing for the equaliser and Ng was the better person to do that. Surely Ashford will realise that and BBM will have employed his man management skills effectively?
Must admit I had a bit of a Riza type deja vu moment when I saw Ashford replaced by Ng. We were hanging on to a one goal lead and BBM effectively switched to 5 at the back to see it out. It worked, but the memories of last season's Wurzel and Stoke games when Riza tried to protect a lead by switching to a back 5 cost us 4 points. Don't think the 4 points would have kept us up mind (weren't we 5 points adrift at the end?) but the principle could make the difference this season at the other end of the table.
All around us we were hoping to see another body in midfield as they were having virtually a free run in to our area.
The Colwill brothers and Turnbull were poor on the day. Joel tried hard but couldn't nail it, Rubin looked completely off the pace and Turnbull lacked movement and again looked disintersted.
You have to go with what you've got and Wintle would have been the best option rather than a 3rd CB. Total respect for what BBM has done for this club, but that decision only invited them on, and it was their own fault (and Trott) that won us the game. If he was still with us, the last 20 minutes of that game was tailor-made for Siopis. He'd have created bugger all going forward, but would have been all over the pitch disrupting the Reading midfield rather than trying to defend deep. Keep them away from our box and they won't score - we're very fortunate they didn't on Saturday.
A terrier in midfield is probably the one thing we're missing. Wintle mops up. Joel puts a foot in and is more attack minded. Mafico has shown signs of it, but isn't ready yet and I think will be more creative. Other than Siopis, we've not had a midfield dog for a while. Not sure if it will suit our new style, but would be a nice bench option. You're right though, a midfield terrier would have been a better option than a 3rd CB.
Robertson is the nearest we have to that, and also possesses the skill factor that previous encumbants Siopis/Vaulks/Arter lacked. Don't know what needs to change to get him involved again, but there's something wrong with him and BBM that needs to be resloved. Otherwise get shot and replace in January.
You missed Pit Bull off your list. Yes, there is obviously something not right between Robertson and BBM. Edit: forgot to say, BBM was asked if games for the 21s were being considered for Robertson. One word answer. No. Follow up question was, 'so it's 1st team or nothing'. BBM replied, ' i wouldn't say nothing, no. He needs to get in a position to push for the 1st team'. Im paraphrasing a bit, but it suggests BBM needs to see more from him in training and that was up to Robertson.
I don't see Robertson having the dog attitude in midfield. He probably puts his foot in more than Turnbull but he is made of glass and likely to get injured in doing so. As said above Pit Bull and Siopis were more made for the role. Interestingly neither lasted more than 65/70 minutes per game. And I know Pit Bull liked a cigarette (can't say f@g on here) or 10.
