Probably going to disagree with what seems the majority on here, but here goes. Dreadfull refereeing decisions apart, I thought we were average at best yesterday. Anymore off the pace performances like that will see us slip down the league. Bolton are a decent side on paper but haven't proved that good on the pitch. Freedman may have made the difference on the day, but we again invited a team to come on to us. Banging the same drum again I know, but for me, the tactics for games on the road needs re-thinking. Individually, Marshall could win us this league at the back, whilst up front, Helguson and Kimbo won't. Both were off the pace and closed down too quickly by a Bolton side sent out on a mission. We desperately need a replacement for Maynard. If we can't get anyone of that calibre in, a fit Bellamy would be my choice in that role - but can he get (and stay) fit? Didn't think I'd say this when we signed him but we are sorely missing Tommy Smith. Don't know how anyone can say we were better than them in the first half. I thought they edged it despite our goal, and then came out for the second period and steamrollered us for 20 minutes. Was I glad to see Helguson and Kimbo going off. We looked far better with the replacements, particularly the drive that Gunnar can bring to the side. The result? Well, a naff penalty compensated a perfectly good disallowed goal for Bolton and although we put our foot to the metal for the last 20 minutes, overall a point would have been the most we deserved. Am I being negative or just playing devil's advocate? Let's say it's just another opinion on this board.
You mean recovering the one point we started with and set out from the start to keep? We only went for it when they got ahead. We can be so much better than that first 70 minutes yesterday.
Copied from my post in JH's ref thread Regardless of the decisions by the ref, we got what we deserved, I thought our performance was mediocre at best, Bolton were there for the beating but we gave them all the confidence they needed, another thing Hymns n ****ing fairies being sung Poor Minxy tried to inject a little subtle humour into the thread but it must've been to subtle
Its all heading for the play offs. We signed the wrong striker from QPR. Bothroyd is miles better than Helgusson. We need a better striker up front.
I personally wouldn't want to see Bothroyd back. Who do you see us signing in Jan? We need someone of proven Prem quality that's prepared to come down a division for half a season.
Hymns and Arias isnt getting sung words changed - its an anti-Jacks song. The player id go for is Cameron Jerome.
Not sure about Jerome - Bothroyd could have been sensational for us this year with the service he'd get now. Of Prem club strikers who aren't getting a real chance at it at the mo, I'd have a word with McDermott at Reading about getting Adam le Fondre on loan. Bench resident there, but lower league record speaks for itself and he could bang them in at Champ level too.
I didn't see the previous away games so yesterday's was the first one I have seen. Other than a lack of cutting edge upfront I didn't think we did too badly. We had the lion's share of possesion and many more corners. Our cb's had Kevin Davies in their pockets and only Eagles had shown any threat until N'Gog came on. He brought a different dimension intelligently running the channels and asking questions we weren't prepared to answer. That in turn inspired Eagles and then Mark Davies to do more than before. Agreed they pressured Kimbo and he wasn't the player we had v. Burnley. Helguson looked his age and hardly won anything despite battling hard. Gestede gave them more of a problem in the air and we started to pick up more when he came on. Also for me Cowie was fairly anonymous although you tend not to notice the good work he does watching on the tv. Mason didn't really get into the game and I think we suffered from having 2 wingers on the bench in this one. Velikonja would have been a more useful sub than Frei and would have been itching to get on particularly picking up Rudy's knock downs. While Bolton had their purple patch and got their 2 goals bear in mind we had virtually camped around their penalty are with a series of corners before they scored and gave them a testing time for the last 15 minutes with no thanks to a blind referee and his linesman. Warnock's assault on Hudson would normally get a round of applause at Cardiff Arms Park!! And as for their goalkeeper's chin keeping out Marshie's effort. It reminded me of our 2 - 1 loss at QPR nearly 2 years ago when a goal bound shot hit Paddy kenny's forehead and cleared. He knew nothing about that either. I think Bellers could have made a difference down the left although, for me, Noone was our mom (always a danger and Warnock won't have had a pleasant second half) so not sure where Tommy Smith would fit in. We definitely need a more accomplished striker in January but can we afford the £25k per week it would cost for Jerome? Blackburn with their parachute payments have baulked at that. Le Fondre might be a good shout. He is more of an out and out striker so might not fit with MM's team ethic - might Velikonja be the answer once acclimatised? Is there another Development Squad game this week?
Bluey - as far as where Smithy would have fitted in, I'd have started him instead of Cowie. Apart from the atrocious performance from everyone against the wurzels, have we learned nothing from the Palace and Forest away games? At Ipswich we played the same way and got lucky. They were piss-poor and bottled it - we just blagged them at the death. Bellers and Smith being crocked didn't help starting eleven selection yesterday, but it's not just that. The set up and presumably instructions from Malky seems to be to play deep and soak them up. That's just what a home side will generally expect of visitors and to be honest, a lot of away sides in this division haven't got the options we have. We should push up more and take them on. Yesterday, Kim was behind Whitts as often as not, and Helguson was out of his depth on his own against those big defenders. Gestede is big enough to give back what he takes and play in someone coming on to the ball. I would defintely play the game further up the pitch, but what do I know?
OK - Smithy for Kim then? Whilst we're at it, I'd have started Gunnar for Cowie anyway. Hang on a minute......deep breath - I'm being far too radical here.
Sorry to say I think we were beaten by the better side. Once Freedman made those substitutions they stepped the game up a level with Prem quality players. I can't put the blame on Kimbo and Helguson. We had 13 corners, 13 corners and none of our key set piece players could connect and turn it into the net. Whittinham must not play so deep. Tommy Smith is a big big loss to us.
Not blaming Heidi and Kim for the defeat at all Bobby - they were just not up to the task yesterday. They were both out of depth for the tasks they were asked to perform - that's all. The aggressive style of Gunnar and the physical presence of Gestede would have caused Bolton more problems.
No probs fella. I just think many of the Bolton players, especially Ngog played as if ther lives depended on that game. Freedman is a good tactician. Why do we seem to play so many teams with a lot to prove to a new gaffer in his first game in charge. At the top of the table everyone will play against us as if it's a cup final. I don't mind dropping down a few places at this stage of the season.
Wasn't Jerome disappointed with city fans, after the reception he was given after he left. I know JET had similar, but would Jerome want to come back?
wow jay the sky's falling for him dj probably ****ting his pants for sheff id be coming in my pants if iwas below in the league ,hes past it make no bones about it get your money jay say no more ...
Smith if fit would be in my line-up, best buy this season for me, works hard and protects the full back as well as being the best crosser we have, not the skills of noone but a better crosser. On to Jay, spent force since his 1 cap. Jerome not for me either. I'll wait to January and see what comes.
for all the touting of bothroyd have you been keeping tabs on his performances? 1 goal in 9 and has little to no fight in him, an ego with no work rate. he has no place in this new squad malky has been building over 18 months or so......
