I thought we deserved the point at least, we were the best team 1st half and the 2nd was fairly even after Bm managed to get at us a bit after the break. But I thought the passing was poor from both sides 1st half, our chances came from BOS ability to get past defenders and his shot well saved, and our good pressing with Amos in particular setting up Bonne. Later on when a few were getting tired, the 3 subs livened us up, and our passing and threat improved. That they didnt get a shot on target rather confirms we defended well as a team and from the front. A good performance that against surely one of the promotion favourites.
Have seen the highlights now and I thought we looked very good. The biggest improvement this season appears to be in our defending. There's a strong chance we would have lost that game last season. The only change in the back four and defensive midfielders is Dickie, so I'd imagine he deserves huge praise. The other change is the goalkeeper and there's no doubt that a back four which is constantly nervous about their keeper will be far less effective than one that has confidence in the keeper. Dieng looks as though he is far more commanding than those he's replaced from snippets I've seen this season. Clearly, my fears concerning Cameron, Wallace and Amos were misplaced in this particular game and whilst I still have reservations about all three, I really hope they continue to prove me wrong. Scarily I'm feeling rather optimistic about the rest of the season after an excellent transfer window. Best go and have a lie down!!
i wonder whether some of the issues that surround Amos are confidence, and possibly worrying about whether he will get another serious injury which keeps him out of the game for months. However, I also saw highlights and think that for the first time in ages, we are starting to get the right personal in that fight and support each other. A few others will possibly come and go, but a real positive is that we seem to have a scouting network back that can identify rough diamonds within our price range which Chris Ramsay and co can develop and help get ready for a step up. Eze being a recent prime example.
I think when Amos won that tackle well into their half, ran at their goal, and then passed to Bonne who had his shot from a bit of an angle saved, he was in a better position bang in front to shoot himself But I felt he didnt have the confidence in his ability to put it away. Hopefully that will come, and soon.
I do think there is now a feeling of our youth and first team squad having an element of joined up thinking. Long May our development of those ‘rough diamonds’ continue. Though I wouldn’t be averse to introducing a defensive coach to work with our defensive teams. Though if we could continue to work like yesterday we would forget about our defensive frailties - but consistency hasn’t been our forte over the last few years. Maybe times they are a changing!
Poor Matthew and poor Amos! Big shame for us too because he really does the pressing bit very well when fit and very quick over short distances as he was yesterday. Will be a big miss when Warburton wants to do that again.
Amos plays really well...and we all see what Warbs sees ...and then he does his other knee. He won't play Wednesday obviously. Hope Carroll is up for it
Although I've always been critical of him, after initially being impressed the first time I saw him, I'd never wish an injury on anyone or, like our resident child, take the piss. Hope it's not serious.
Let's hope so Col. He has had had a bad history of injuries... And playing with that at the back of your mind..must hold you back. He had a great game yesterday.. fingers crossed it is nothing and he is back on Saturday...
Alright Michael Flatley. We signed an injury-prone player and he got a bad injury. It was a calculated risk or a stupid purchase depending on how you want to view it and it’s backfired. He had a good hour yesterday and suddenly we’ve lost prime Roy Keane.
Never seen Ball play there, not sure he's got that speed over a few meters to do it well. Maybe Bonne? It's always looked to me that Amos is best played as yesterday in an advanced midfield position pressing defenders.
Sorry mate, I'm forgetting Amos was being played in a more forward role, so not Ball. Maybe Chair or Willock?
