I must say, when I've watched the warm up drills, Cartwright is miles above any of our other keepers with his feet. That was obvious almost instantly and he's clearly highly rated as we tied him down to a long term deal last year. The safe thing is to bring in a loan but if Harvey is so highly rated the rest of this season is a great opportunity for him to come in and play some games. I like Ingram and he's a steady keeper but he's nothing fantastic at this level. Baxter isn't ours either, I hope he becomes our in the summer but it wouldn't be bad to see young Harvey come in for the next few and see how he does. We're so close to being safe, a couple of good results in the next week and it'll be pretty much season done for us. It's the perfect chance to try a few things and players out
I must say I did question whether making the change of coach at the time it happened was the right thing to do, I thought maybe keep Grant until the end of the season. After the Derby game, I was still having the same thoughts, but since then we have seen a marked improvement in performances. Shota seems to be adapting to life in the Championship pretty well, and he certainly has managed to keep the spirit in the dressing room high, and even on set pieces we look much better organised than before. The game. Another really gutsy performance, limiting them to very few chances on goal. It was a pity a momentary lapse of concentration allowed them to ghost in and get an equaliser, but that apart we kept them at arm's length. Bernard/McLoughlin/Greaves/Elder were excellent, and defensively, as is proved by a goal difference, even though we are not prolific in front of goal, we are up there with the better defenses in the league. That also is down to the cover, particularly Smallwood gives the back line. Good to see Forss take his goal really well, Shota obviously rates him and his perseverance looks as if it's starting to pay off. It will be really interesting to see how he gets on against Barnsley and P'Boro, as chances should be more available to him. (The pitch at the MKM after the egg chases had it yesterday is a real mess, it wouldn't be a good surface to play on next week and that is for sure). Good news that Matt sounds as if he is okay, and congratulations to Harvey for his league debut, who did well when he came on. Even though it was offside when we thought they had scored, he was a bit unlucky as he blocked the shot well but it went in rather than past the post. Thankfully, it was disallowed. Overall a great team performance, no one had a bad game, and an extra mention of the away support which was awesome again, the feel-good factor is certainly back at the club. For the future: Defensively, in midfield we are okay, but we really lack the quality of players that can keep possession and get us going forward. Looking ahead, we are crying out for a couple of really good midfielders, who can get us on the front foot. Honeyman tries, but he needs help. IMO, Docherty is not good enough, good engine, but lacks quality on the ball.
No point in been excellent then conceding a goal because you don’t do the basics, call them work in progress or whatever you want but we’ve conceded too many goals because we don’t mark players. Yesterday was another
Must admit I was concerned about the rather lose 4-3 than draw 0-0 remark, although that may have come from Acun if I'm not mistaken, I was following the press conference on the HDM site so it could have been anyone, but I'm pleased Shota is going safety first for now and recognises what's needed to stay up.
The HDM reports Acun went and visited Ingram in hospital prior to flying back to Istanbul. Early days but everything I see from him so far shows we have got a good one.
Reference Harvey Cartwheel ( predictive came up with that, I liked it so left it in). If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Hope he gets a chance to show what he can do. Only concern is goalkeeping cover, but we can’t break another Shirley… can we? Shirley was me! Well not me, I’m not Shirley or ever was. Old airplane gag. they do say a joke isn’t funny if you have to explain it!
Thanks for posting that. That's what I was meaning in my reply "The Jak myth lives in. As if he did, as if he'd ever have been selected again". It's a ridiculous myth that for some reason a few chose to believe and peddle. Good factual post
I have a unique view on Jakupovic. I liked him when he was good and disliked him when he was ****. Revolutionary stuff, obviously.
Most who follow City will hopefully realise by now a change of ownership is not some kind of magic wand. Fact is we are still work in progress as a team and probably will be until Shota and Acun builds their own side. Recent points gained at the Blunts and DQPR, both of whom stuffed us at home will help keep this club in the Championship which almost certainly will be Acun first target. If that can be achieved with this squad it would go down as a very good achievement given the money and quality that haunts this league.
Think we all agree on one thing, Rome wasn't built in a day, its gonna take time, there will be some who become impatient but from what I have seen so far, given what we have, Shota has realised we needed to be tougher.to beat, which he is slowly getting through to the players. We have some jewels in our team and with a little bit of help there is no reason why they can't be an integral part of our push up the league .. but we are short on quality right now and despite the additions still struggle when injuries hit. I'm liking what I am seeing so far, and am optimistic about the future and what we could achieve, obviously time will tell but for now I'm more then hopeful.
