v Interesting game this both managers were at MK Dons.Liam taken over from Martin Would take a draw tomorrow night. Liam’s presser
A very tough match tomorrow and I hope we take the field wanting all 3 points although in reality a single point would be a great result away from home. We have proven over many years that defensive games are not our strong point and so a more attack minded approach might be the answer. Three goals against a good Middlesbrough side was all very well and good but our defensive frailties showed up in the second half but in the end we saw it through to the final whistle. Southampton will be all over us from the start and we need to be fully awake to take the blows thrown at us, but it will be interesting to see what, if any, changes Liam may make based on his early viewing of what he has to work with for this vital match. I suspect that Zak may be down on the bench based on his recent outings and we have to hope that we have a suitable competent replacement.
I’d imagine Naismith will play LB as Pring is banned due to yellow card total, Zak will play because there is no cover. I think he’d play anyway, him and Dickie are still our best two fit CB’s . Once Atkinson is fit will be the test for Zak, as Dickie and Atkinson looks a really good pairing. Dickie RCB, Atkinson LCB.
I'm not sure Atkinson is any better than Vyner. He has made just as many mistakes, and he's slow compared to Zak, or Dickie for that matter; however, he does take up better defensive positions than Zak most of the time, and usually wins most headers. In terms of replacing Pring, is Hayden Roberts injured?
We'll miss Pring tonight with Roberts not available. Vibes are that Naismith will fill in at LB, not a satisfactory situation but we don't have any other option. Even if LM went with a 3 is there another who could play the LWB role ? Ps Supcon Dickie and Atkinson will be better down to balance alone and Vyner is no quicker than Atkinson.
RP, opinions are like a$$holes, we all have one. Watch their turning and recovery speed, Atkinson is much slower at that, than any of our CB's since Jamie 'Boom Boom' McCombe
I'm listening to Nakhi on Robins TV and am very impressed by his persona as he comes across as a decent guy who enjoys his work and wants to see us do well. On the subject of Liam I must confess I like his persona too and his philosophies on how to play the game and those thoughts came through with Nakhi's comments on where we go from here. When we get all players back on board from injuries and suspensions I seriously think we can move onward and upward. Nice to watch the evening with Alan Dicks as it looked very special. Come on you reds.
I like what I am seeing so far and although it's very early in the game, but our shape seems to allow us to play further up the pitch.
Aahhh, that should have been 1-0 City, a poor miss from Tommy. A great block from Zak just before that as well, that's where Zak is better than the other CBs for me, his ability to throw his body on the line.
Correct that we should be 1-0 up but the miss from Conway was a true sitter. Che Adams comes on for Soton due to an injury. Still like what we are doing so far.
At times, we’ve looked very good in the first half. Bell & Conway have shown their inexperience at times tonight, Conway with his finishing, and Bell being caught offside too often when we break. I thought Knight was MIA for large parts of that first half.
Gotta say that was an impressive first half by our boys. We have had our chances look good at the back -good in midfield and dangerous up front. Fair play to Liam Manning certainly can see the changes and the boys have adapted to it. Now go and win it second half.
I reckon that we have more than held our own throughout the first half and could have been at least 1-0 in front. We created more chances than I have seen for some time but the finishing was not quite on the mark otherwise the score could have been higher in our favour. A couple of great last ditch tackles by Vyner and Naismith saved the day at the other end but in general I think we have kept them well in check and need to continue that trend if we want to get more points from this match. There were a couple of breaks we had where the wrong decision was made to break down a possible goal threat and I think more focus has to be made towards our poor finishing. Other than those minor moans I have witnessed one of our better halves for a very long time and I base that on the shape we are playing and the obvious confidence the players have found from somewhere. Liam????
