The fact that Dibling is getting such positive comments is a indication of how poor Smallbone was (and also of how important Stu was to us). Within seconds of coming on, Dibling picked up the ball and ran with it. Something Will refused to do, and something Stu would have regularly done. Aribo wasn't bad. But I'm hoping that Downes is the only one of the three who we'll be seeing regularly this season.
Tbf I think it was pretty obvious to almost everyone that Smallbone isn't PL quality so it shouldn't come as much surprise. Same with Armstrong.
Thought Diaz alos looked okay, but has to play centrally, we can't afford to have him stuck on the left touchline
I find the Smallbone / Dibling companion a bit unfair if I'm honest; Diblings role is to get the ball and drive it forward, hes more attack minded, whereas Smallbone wouldn't be expected to get the ball and dribble it forward himself, for example. He's a more conservative and safe player. Dibling was fantastic today, but not sure he's a Smallbone replacement as such. And I certainly wouldn't want him being replaced by Dibling in the current formation from the start. That's not to say I don't want him starting (I very much do) but not sure he's a Smallbone replacement as such. That all probably sounded better in my head, but I hope that makes a little bit of sense.
I'm not sure Chelsea will want Lesley on our bench too often. Bringing him in for Aribo as another change might be too negative (I suppose it depends how offensive Fernandes is), but there is the alternative of reverting to back four - maybe with Archer in for Stephens. I fear it may take sometime for us to find our best formation, and best XI, this season. Which is why I didn't want the fixture list to provide us with a relatively kind start - too big a risk that we waste those matches, whilst we experiment.
Twice today Smallbone received the ball with space behind him and time to turn. He had such poor game awareness he passed it back through the Nottingham Forest midfield to our defence. He cannot start for us in this league.
but looked extremley capable going forward with narrow losses to both Manchester teams 3-2. That team was always going to get goals, this team however.......
The "wall of sound" was more Silence of the Lambs, second half. Not even responding to the drummer in Kingsland North.
I was up in the Northam. Really only heard Forest about three times all game. Not sure I am hearing the same things as you guys!
Yeah I think so aswell. Not many people have probably bet on them going down so cheap publicity for Paddy Power. 3 promoted teams will go down quite comfortably I think
Ok. Martin half out - is that better I don’t think today was all that bad, I expected worse. I can’t see what Martin is trying to do - if we play AA/BBD as a front two, they are too far split if we have no penetration coming from midfield. We always seem to play better with a focal striker, so im lost as to why we brought CA and BBD, which neither of them are. I think we are in for a tough ride if we don’t get one. We keep talking about another right winger - ok not a bad plan if it means AA isnt playing (i completely agree with you - EPL isnt his level).
I don’t think it would be negative (and it’s what I would do) because Flynn is actually quite forward thinking, and if he had Big Les in support it would work (as per Vic and Morgan). I’m praying that long term this is RM’s thinking too. We have no room for sentiment, and I do fear Russ is a bit over-sentimental.
