After watching this game I was really impressed with a lot of our players. It just shows the strength in depth our squad really has. I've already picked our starting line up from todays performances. Gulacsi looked very composed and calm, distributed it very quickly which impressed me quite a bit, although his kicking looked a bit iffy. Chester was outstanding for me. Got stuck in really well and really impressed me with his tackling. He was my mom. Macca was good but as stated above, would not have had to make so many tackles if his positioning was slightly better. Dudgeon was pretty solid, impressed me with his pace but I'm not sure about his tackling yet. Rosenior was...Rosenior so 'nuff said. Brady was fantastic, fast and skillful and showed he does have a right foot I see him having a good season with us. Cairney I thought was superb in centre mid. Won plenty of tackles and his passing was pretty good. If he performs that well throughout the season he'll be one of the starting two centre mids. Evans was terrible, didn't make any tackles, didn't make a pass to one of our players and his touch was shocking. Stupidly over rated by some on here (I've never really rated him, so this one isn't just based on today). Koren looked good today, especially when coming into the centre form out wide. Really impressed me today. Fryatt and Mclean didn't really do that much today, or maybe they were just outshone by the midfield? Either way I have no comment on them today. From the second half I didn't think there were many star performers bar Adebola really, who showed exactly what he brings to the team. Good movement, hold up play and strength. Lovely cushioned header for Simpsons goal. Anywho I really cba to rate the other players so heres the team I'd start with against Blackpool: Gulacsi Rosenior Hobbs Chester Dudgeon Koren Cairney Mckenna Brady Fryatt Adebola Subs: Basso, Macca, (insert whoever, it's too hard with only 5 now)
Seems to me some of the players Kenny spoke of as getting their chance who didn't really perform are the ones with the axe hanging over them. Were they mentally tired after travelling back from the far east and have given up trying? Or have there been contract movements that could've caused it? I missed some of the game but reserve keepers again and an ad hoc back four, with nobody to really take control, was bad enough against Malaysia so I'm not surprised we leaked goals against a former PL side who were fitter and sharper. But we created chances 2nd half with debut players and the positives we needed were there. Those positives haven't been fitted into our best lineup yet.
