I don't care how we get the points from now to January, when we should have pretty much have the whole squad back, as long as we get them. I'll be happy if we're still top 6 then, as there are a few tough games coming up, with the thin squad we have.
Chuffed to bits for Huffer and Halme Phillips again was brilliant and my MOM. Bielsa tactically astute as usual. We do however need more penetration as teams will park the bus as soon as we break forward and we are not clever enough splitting the defence. Too much tippy tappy around the box? Too many failed crosses or speculative shots or offsides from Alioski? Can Douglas and Alioski work together or do we need to try Harrison or Clarke?
Very poor first 60 minutes, the sending-off was crucial as it was only when Bristol City went down to ten men we raised our game looking like we could actually win the game. Saiz coming on help our cause somewhat as space opened up for our attacking players to show the flair we'd become accustomed too this season. Once again Phillips plucked the robins as he broke up play protecting our inexperienced defence with his tenacity, he also made three or four delightful passes into the channels only for our forwards to waste his vision & creativity. In the end a deserved scrappy win contrary to what Lee Johnson thinks ! Positives Clean sheet. We actually beat ten men, a rarity. We won a game after a international break Huffer & Halme didn’t let themselves down. Our Spanish wizards Saiz & Hernandez create & score a wonderful replica goal to the one at WBA in the last few minutes. Kalvin Phillips proves his doubters wrong. Douglas is still our best signing of the summer. Roofe ran his socks off & deserved his goal. The robins had only one shot on target. Hardly noticed the referee, makes a pleasant change Negatives Our weak links were there to be seen. Alioski, Dallas & Harrison are not good enough. No pace in our play, all predictable slow build-up in the first half Why Harrison & not Jack Clarke ? Ratings 7 Huffer 5 Dallas 7 Halme 8 Douglas 8 Cooper 9 Phillips MOTM 7 Hernandez 7 Forshaw 6 Klich 5 Alioski 8 Roofe Subs 8 Saiz 5 Harrison n/a Baker
A few comments. Their manager was wrong that they looked like winning it until the sending off, I thought they were poor - yes they were decent in midfield and gave us a lot of trouble but their own attacks were powder puff. Yes they could have fluked a goal (one shot came off a defender and looped well over the bar) but apart from that they had nothing. The young lad in our goal didn’t have a shot to save. Also, although we were ineffective until the sending off we still got several serious chances. He was right though the sending off transformed the game. I’m not sure why, sometimes it seems harder when your opponents lose a man, in this case we were immediately all over them. I don’t know how to explain it unless the guy sent off was holding it all together for them. Our goalie started nervous, had a problem with some of his clearances but grew in confidence and started catching crosses rather than flapping at them. No shots to save but did ok. The young CB did ok defensively I thought, looked uncomfortable on the ball. Main concern was, when having to get back, he looked painfully slow. Agree Phillips had good game. As did Forshaw. Roofe did a good job holding the ball up. Pablo started not his usual self but was better in second half. Think he likes playing with Sais. Our approach play had too many wrong balls played, and at times was a bit tippy tappy. Seemed to me players dwelt too long on the ball, I’m wondering if there was not enough movement in front of them. Or maybe Bristol did a good job defensively. Didn’t think Harrison did anything when he came on. Sais did contribute . Dallas again frustrating, made wrong decision when in great position to centre - his pass was into a perfect goal scoring position in 6 yard box, only problem was if he’d looked first he’d have seen The other players had dropped back and he needed to cut it back. Roofe goal looked offside from where I sat, need to see again. (Edit: just looked on LUTV, clearly onside when the pass was made). Finally, don’t use a city centre hotel (Ibis) with a lot of Irish guests, the buggers come back pissed in the early hours and (judging from the noise) start humping trannies.
Name names why doncha. That Shako has been champing at the bit ever since he missed the tranny rendezvous last time.
I’m not the sort to talk behind anyone’s back. Didn’t catch any names but one of them was a short fella if that helps.
Interesting to read a match report from a different source (no digging out there, just a different style / perspective is cool). Not sure about the reference to Pablo and Saiz’ private life but heh ho
Everyone else thought it was a footy comment but you know me better. And we need a professionals assessment on the goalie of course.
