I wouldn't say coincidence, but McLean is still being asked to do a different role to usual. There's a difference between being our most defensively capable midfielder available, and being a defensive midfielder. McLean will look much better alongside Hayden or Gibbs, but more likely he drops to the bench once fitness issues have resolved a bit. I find it hard to criticise Kenny too much to be honest. Hard working, willing to play anywhere, runs for 90 mins and rarely gets injured. There's plenty of room for players like that in the squad. We know what he's capable of, but he'll still try and do all the other things if required.
Not quite my read of the match! I thought we had a couple of decent chances but for all our dominance they did manage to break through us easily on a couple of occasions and so could have scored one or two more themselves. Overall, I agree we deserved the win and I let’s face it, three points playing badly is always satisfying. But that’s two matches in a row where we have lacked fluidity. Part of that was down to Birmingham, who were more than happy to rough us up and obviously viewed the game as a freebie so played without pressure. But if we are looking for progress from our defensive frailties under Farke, it hasn’t been at all on show so far - nothing to do with the centre backs, who were once again both excellent, but our lightweight midfield is still an issue. Is Hayden our solution? Maybe, but we can’t really rely on one player for our solidity. I think Sara is starting to show glimmers, but he’s definitely not defensive! Nunez has also been excellent, and does put in a shift tracking back, but he’s not reliably defensive in his positioning. And they’re both just 5’8”…
I agree, McClean is not the culprit. He’s not the perfect defensive midfielder, nor the perfect central one, nor an attacking one. But he offers a bit of everything, including one of our few set piece heading threats. He can spray the ball wide and he can get forward into good positions, as well as do a job defensively. He’s maligned because he’s a jack of all trades, but he’s very useful to the team hence why he keeps his place. And he cost £200k.
I could watch that time and again. Great passion. He gave a great interview after the game. He has a spirit that's really healthy and infectious. Teemu's composure to set him up is what we've been lacking. I wonder if Teemu is getting goal jealous of the others as he's normally the number 1 marksman. I hope not as his goals will come and in the meantime he's doing so well for the team.
I was thinking that Pukki has been setting everyone else up the last couple of games and although not scoring, doing that must also be satisfying. I'd be tempted to play 4-4-2 Vs Coventry at the weekend with him and Sargent up front. Could even do that with a diamond midfield, though we lack a DM currently
One major concern I have is the tendency for Krul an the defenders to play the ball to each other across the penalty area. I'm sure this is intended to draw the opposition players higher up the pitch to make more room for our midfield to receive the ball. Unfortunately Krul is rubbish with the ball at his feet. We got away, just, with it last night it by suddenly having to lump the ball forward in blind panic. This negates any advantage controlled release would gain. One more moan. Throw ins. We are static, no movement to create space. Aarons was often taking up to 30 seconds to release the ball.
Why are there so many negative comments on here? We are winning games, and sit 2nd in the league. Lighten up folks and enjoy the ride.
I have the same concern. The last four wins have been great, but we do not look like a team that could survive in the PL. Núñez does look to be a PL player as he was well above all the other players at 7.8 and WhoScored's MotM by far, but as a team we don't look to be well above teams like Sunderland and Birmingham. Sara has yet to show what he can add, especially partnered with Núñez and hopefully Hayden will bring that midfield solidity we've been lacking for so long. Omobamidele also looks to have PL potential and the improvement in Sargent is encouraging but there is still need for improvement elsewhere. Until that happens I'm willing to wait and hope.
This part of being a yo-yo club is most enjoyable. So fill yer boots, because next season may not be!!
It's very odd . We are the most promoted and most relegated club in the top 2 divisions. Meaning we are not good enough for the moneybags Premier League but we are one of the biggest fishes in the Championship. I can see us winning the league pretty easily at this rate but IF, we do succeed fully expect to get beaten most weeks again in the top flight. Absolutely no point worrying if we will survive next season just going up would be a major achievement. There's no V.A.R and the referee's have been equally terrible, we are still gifting stupid goals but not as many and lady luck seems to have spluttered back to life after a year on her death bed. I don't enjoy the Premier league and don't bother watching it unless we are in it .
