Just got home from the game, great burger as usual in the C&S and a couple of enjoyable pints with Roller. Shock, horror! we actually put in a decent performance, we looked sharp with some crisp passing and smart build up play. Polter was an absolute handful all afternoon [until he was taken off] and the Watford defense never really got to grips with him. Cousins didn't look anywhere near fit but put himself about, a good signing there I think. I have to feel a little sorry for Gladwin, got into some excellent positions but his touch deserted him. As a slight leveler, Watford looked way off the pace, especially in the first half. We desperately need to sign a right back, Watford had so much room down that side but were unable to make the most of it. Very promising performance, but as I said after the Burton game, it was only a friendly. We will know a lot more about our team after the Leeds game.
We probably do need a right back,but who was playing right wing. It's their job to track back and give some defensive cover too,oh hang on a minute I've just realised who it was !!
So the team we will see next Sunday, barring injuries, will be JFH's strongest. Extra added interest.
Probably similar to what he started with today. I would play Khayati on the left and move Shodipo to the right. I think he offers more than Gladwin.
Good stuff Strolls. I was away when the London Olympics was taking place and feel that it passed me by as I never really got to see much of it. Sadly.
Can someone give an honest assessment of Caulkers performance? Was he up for it or was it more of the same? I am genuinely interested whether he is going to cut it for us. Cheers.
watched the game on QPR live feed and Caulker looked our best defender. Whether he is playing for a move is another matter, but you couldn't fault his commitment
Okay...back and recovered now. Roller and I swapped our usual seats at the top of the loft for row A, South Africa Road...what a revelation. Apparently there is a TV screen that you can watch highlights on and all 4 corners have corner posts (things I never knew). The match was very interesting and very encouraging. A few facts from the match from what I think I saw.... First the biggest proviso..Watford are way behind us with preparations (add into that JFH has got this team much better prepared than Ramsey, Arry or Sparky ever did in pre-season). Their players did not look as conditioned as ours did...and could not play at our tempo...well done team. So onto us....We were pretty sure we were playing a sort of 4-3-2-1. In defence Luongo and Cousins (and to a far lesser degree Gladwin) were a defensive shield in front of the back 4...but their remit was to break very quickly, which took a lot of strength (Cousins faded, but Luongo had an excellent match and lasted ). Gladwin was really in and out, an excellent steal early on (for about the first 10 minutes he was outstanding) but as the game wore on frailties and lack of skill and patience crept in, he tried to help Ned defensively, but there is lack of understanding between both of them on who is to do what and when .. Polter was outstanding, he run, harried, held the line, tackled back. There was an "Austin-esque" moment too...perfect cross from the left from Shodipo, and we saw BFG rise above the crowd and just nod it onto the bar. Shodipo too for the first 60 was great, and will cause an awful lot of problems, he too did his shift on tackling back (real great prospect). Chery worked his socks off and had one particular mazy run. The CBs looked solid...there was a real heart stopping moment when Hall took a rather bad knock just before half time (in fact he was out at HT testing his run) but he carried on until replaced by Lynch (who also looked really good)...so hoping it was OK. Caulker was quiet but in a good way...no panics, no hurry ..he just got on with it. Bidwell looked good on the left, it was him shouting and organising the defence...There is our next captain. Smithies had a couple of quick saves, but was not really called on (surely he cannot wear that black goalkeeping strip in the league matches...). Great to see Conor score, even if it was a bit of fluky luck,,,he did need to be in there to put it in. Hope he goes from strength to strength now So where was the problem...you guessed it...on the right I an afraid with Ned (and with his cover in front, Gladwin)....Watford soon spotted it, and all the danger came down their left. He was out of position, and those times he was correctly positioned they run/passed round him. He is not a RB nor is he a captain I am assuming JFH knows this (that is why the no2 shirt is up for grabs). All in all, I was expecting to see a follow on to the Burton match, but no...high tempo, pressing play on a hot sunny day. Lots of chances, not all taken, so that can be improved on.... So mildly optimistic...this team has to be too good to have problems with relegation, but is it good enough for playoffs...unless all teams are as badly prepared as watford, probably not.... But I am so much happier today than I was on Wednesday. We need a right back....sorry Ned, I think your role this year is club captain and perennial defensive cover from the bench. I hope we fill the no2 and no 15 shirt (with the Icelander) this week...then we might have a season to look forward to.
I agree entirely with all of that Beth, I should also have singled out Luongo in my post, he worked tirelessly.
I think so... (I have a feeling that is what JFH wants to play, with the 3 tackling back alot...and they did but maybe it was 4-3-2-1 (Couldn't really tell what Gladwin and Ned were exactly up to, to be honest)
So, as long as Leeds only attack down our left side we'll win at least 8-0. I fear a bit for Onuoha against Dallas.
Nice to go into the season opener with a bit of confidence. I just hope we are patient with the team and give them a chance, they aren't going to be perfect every game. I worry already that Gladwin is being singled out, he's going to need our support as much as anyone and I can already see the Neanderthal element of our fanbase jumping on his first mistake and if that happens from the off we may never see the best of him.
When he went off some fans were booing him, which is never good to hear. How's that going to help him?
It's QPR so a boo boy is inevitable. As long as Polter is playing well, Gladwin will get stick. His best hope is Karl Henry returning to the team. Gladwin is still youngish and inexperienced but if he doesn't replicate a young Jairzinho on Sunday he'll be "not conference level" and "not as good as my sixteen year old" etc.
The problem is that now the whole team is trying...the whole team is working as one (first time in years and years). Gladwin and Ned are definately included in that description. Neither are not putting in an effort....and so I would never ever boo them. But at the moment their frailties are being exposed. We have a very different sceanario to the past, when there were a few players who did not give a .... and so our response to them was fair game. Yesterday every member of the team put in a shift, just some were more effective than others. The improvement we have seen in the BFG (over the last 6 months), means improvements can happen and means that perhaps all will develop to a good degree, so I totally agree...our job this year, is just support this team and allow the team to grow, there will be off days for players and for the team. As I said in the report...I think Gladwin had an outstanding first 10 minutes.. If he had scored with his shot then, we may not have been having this conversation
