I really enjoyed the game today, I usually see little point in these cup games but whilst the result didn't matter a great deal, it was nice to get different players involved like Oli and Simpson and welcome back Mannone to the team. I thought McLean's goal was a really good striker's goal, Brady's dribble was very good, the pass and timing of the run were spot on and McLean did well to force his way through and finish properly. Brady showed that we do have another option to play Koren's role and that we can tweak the system a little bit if need be. The way McLean scored was a proper striker's goal, something we've missed for a long time and I had wondered lately about how well he'd do playing in Fryatt's position. He had some other chances and missed most of them, but he did at least aim for the corners, where Fryatt would have got it on target but it would probably have been no more dangerous due to the lack of power and direction. Cairney's goal simply highlighted what a waste of talent he is. How many times now has he scored a goal like that now? He must have done it 4 or 5 times, all in friendlies or cup games. He can score from 20-30 yards without using any power. The guy has premiership quality in his left foot. Some players train hard every day and strive to do everything they can to achieve the kind of talent he has, but he actually has the talent and only uses it in games like this, where he has a lot of time and space. If he applied himself in the way the likes of Evans and McKenna do, he'd be a Premiership player and not sat on our bench. As well as his defensive laziness, his attitude with the ball is wrong. Comparing him to Bullard (only similar player we've had recently) he recieves the ball but desperately wants rid of it immediately, when JB would hang onto it until an opportunity arose, or the pass became necessary. He needs to learn when to be more confident, and when to be less arrogant. Thin lines. I loved Stewart's goal, he celebrated in front of us and you could see how happy he was about it, he was getting a bit annoyed at himself for not creating much in the last few games and I think he's been getting the impression that the fans are on his back a bit, and it was a big relief for him to fire that one home. My question is though, why is he our best finisher? He had a few shots today which were miles better than anything we've seen our strikers hit. He can generate the power that McLean does, but with a bit of accuracy too. You'd think the likes of Fryatt and McLean could learn from him. I thought Liam Cooper had a good game today, he seems brilliant at making last ditch saving challenges, but a little bit too weak and small to stop the play developing in the first place. If he could work on the physical side of his game he could be a very good defender. McShane still can't kick, Simpson looked keen for the minute or so he had, and did well for his assist and Olifinjana is still a big jessie. The one worrying thing though was that despite us scoring 3 goals, we still looked very scared in front of goal. When Garcia took the ball around the keeper in the first half and stuck it up in the penalty area for anyone who wanted to simply nod home, absolutely no one attacked the goal. Fryatt, and McLean in particular seem to have this as big weaknesses in their games, they don't attack the goal enough. Stewart seems to be a better shooter than our strikers but also more confident at attacking. As for the next round, I'd like to see us get a home tie aqainst another relatively weak side (with respect). I liked that we copuld give minutes to different players today and I hope we can get another chance to do that soon.
First 20 minutes of the first half was pretty scrappy, but City contested every ball well and came out of it the better. Both first half goals had great build up play on the ground and had good finishes. The first goal saw how fast we are in turning defence into attack. It was boot down field won in the midfield by Brady and Mclean's intuitive run gave him a chance at goal, he had a bit to do in shrugging off Sonko, but he did it and finished it well. It should do his confidence a load of good. I'm really pleased for him. The second was just City keeping the ball and then turning it on, Cairney got it after we passed it from side to side and chipped the keeper. It was normal for them to come out and try to get back into the game. I thought their substitutes would cause us alot of trouble and they did, particularly Scotland. The goal was poor on City's behalf, as it was a weaker version of the Boro goal on Boxing Day, ie he was allowed to come inside and have a shot, which the keeper should have gathered in. The important thing afterwards was we continued to go forward rather than let them camp in our own half. They did have a few chances themselves but apart from Mannone's decent save in the second half, Cooper & Hobbs had a decent game. Stewart seemed to be flagging in the second half and maybe had done too many flicks/ fancy crap in previous attacks but to his credit he scored the third goal. I like it when we play from the front. The tackle that won us the ball and set up the two-on-one with Cam and Simmo was terrific. Great finish as well. Players that need recognition today Brady- got his finger out eventually and worked his socks off Dudgeon- great display & never shirked a tackle Stewart- flagging by the end and maybe did one step over too many, but had enough about him to score the third. Cairney- great finish for the 2nd. Retained possession well in midfield. Cooper- did well when for his first game back Hobbs- imposed himself well Mclean- ran himself into the ground. He took his goal well.
Also an honourable mention to Sonko, I know McLean is strong, but with about a foot and 2 stone in weight on him, how he was sos easily held off for the first goal was embarrassing, thank feck he is no longer at City!
I thought the first and last goal showed what type of football we need to play far more, and Barmby admitted to it. When you have Stewart, Brady and Mclean all starting in one side and the movement is there at times you really need to attack with far more tempo. We always have looked more threatning when we play with a quicker tempo. Its not about playing long balls its about playing it on the ground a quick tempo. The strength and pace we showed at times was brilliant, admittedly against a poor defence. However we do need to use that more and if we do bring Joshua King in with even more pace i can see us scoring far more goals. Players who deserve a mention: Stewart - Was very subdued, but he has a cracking shot on him, we need to get him in more goalscoring positions. Brady - Was brilliant, defended well when needed, his movement and pace was something a bit different to Koren. Giving us options. Cooper - Was fantastic, my MOTM, he had a tough opponent most of the time in Scotland or JET, but he handled them very well. Mclean - Quick and strong, something we really need to use far more often. Mckenna - I just don't get why Forest would let someone clearly so talented go.
You mention Dudgeon, he's one of my favourite players and I really can't see why he isn't playing league games. He seems to be miles better than Dawson at both attacking and defending to me. I like James Corden's team, providing Brady is wide and Koren in the middle (although saying that, the way we play is more total football than rigid positions anyway so it wouldn't matter a great deal)
Koren wide and Brady central for me, in some point of the game. But I don't think that Nick will drop Fryatt even though Mclean showed that he is a championship striker. I would like to see Cooper given a chance, but it's never going to happen. Cairney played very well yesterday, maybe he wa splaying for a loan move?
Fair enough. It's certainly an option, Brady showed he is another option for that position and we know Koren can certainly do a job on the wing too. One of the major things about our style of play now is the fluidity of players switching so I daresay it's something we could try.
Will be interesting to see what King adds when he arrives. He could make a big difference to us. I have to say but the way Nick plays I'm not sure that Matty is his type of player, but I'm probably completely wrong!
When I watched McClean's goal yesterday with Sonko all over him it reminded me of his similar goal at Forest where he had to beat off the defender before shooting. I think this could be the solution to his wayward goal attempts! McClean needs as little time as possible to think about where he is placing his shot to be most effective, so I think Fryatt should jump on his back whenever he gets into the penalty area and pull his hair. This will ensure a goal every time I guarantee it.
