Seems a bit churlish after the win yesterday but can any explain why Marshall again usually elected to punt the ball upfield from hand when we cutting them to ribbons on the floor? The outcome was usually a win/win scenario for Dunk and Goldson against Pilks and Co and the ball came straight back - it was like gifting them possession. I noticed on the occasions he did roll it out to Manga or Connolly the next pass usually created an opening for us to exploit. Then there were a couple of times when he did roll it out to the Manga/Peltier side they couldn't find the pass to make so played it back to him. Instead of then playing it across the box to the other side he just lumped it upfield as an easy option - the result was inevitable. It's a good job he's a great shot-stopper because he'll have a lot more shots to stop if they've got the ball rather than keeping it ourselves.
He's been so used to an over run 4 man midfield it will take him a while to adjust. Saying that, it's always been recognised as his weakness. What is the goal keeping coach doing to change that?
He and the back 4 give me kittens when they are playing around with the ball from Marshalls throw outs. I'm happy to see him belt it away from self inflicted danger.
The weak link in that respect is definitely Marshall. Both Manga and Connolly can use the ball at their feet and with Ralls and O'Keefe to take it off them, there should be no issues. The problem is either with Marshy's lack of confidence with the ball in is hands or at his feet, or as remote has said, too used to lumping it over our midfield to target men like Jones. Should someone tell him Jones is no longer here?
Nothing to complain about. Dreadful conditions safety first at times - clear it. Plus both centre backs launched it at times at Pilkington. No issue at all with Marshall.
I disagree. The dreadful conditions had nothing to do with it - he does it every game. Fine shot stopping keeper easily the best in the Championship, but lacking in vision once he's got the ball. When Manga and Connolly had the ball at their feet on Saturday, 9 times out of 10 they both carried the ball forward and played a pass and didn't lump it. On the occasions they did, it was usually directed to an area of the pitch for players to run onto rather than just a random punt. Dead ball goal kicks are a different matter, but If Marshall has a weakness in his game, it's his poor distribution when the ball is in his hands. He all to often hands the ball back to the opposition by taking the route 1 option when he has no need to.
True Sparks but other teams are aware of his "problem" and press up on our back 4 thus leaving him with no other option. When he lumps it it becomes up to our forward players to win or put pressure on the second ball to get it back. We have been poor at this in the past but there are signs of this coming together with the more mobile O'Keefe and Ralls plus Lawrence and Immers working this way also on Saturday. I thought Immers had a great game Saturday, not the quickest but he reads the game well and cut out a lot of stuff between their defence and midfield.
Bluey - Particularly with those 4 players you mention in front of Manga and Connolly, Marshy has no need to lump it. He needs (or be told) to change his game plan. Keep the ball and they can't score - give it back to them so cheaply and you're going to cause yourself problems at some point.
I think he'd be playing for Liverpool (or another top 8 side) if he could pass a football. His distribution is horrendous. I don't know of another top class keeper that regularly misses the pitch, never mind his target, when clearing long. The amount of times he lumps it straight into touch is genuinely amazing! If that part of his game was sorted someone would have made an offer we couldn't refuse by now. There's a reason only Pulis with his trademark 'style' wants him.
