I was at the game yesterday, I think there were both positives and negatives to our win. Angella and Iriney really impressed on their debuts, providing a real spine to the team. Angella was man of the match for me, his reading of the game, positional sense and ability in the air seemed to make a difference in the middle of our defensive three. We definitely did not have someone like that last season leading the back-line in such a way, looks like a great addition to the team. Iriney also looked great, combining the strength needing the anchoring the midfield with being able to link the play well.
Of the players from last year, Doyley had a great game. I canât quite believe how far he has come on since Zola has become manager. From being a liability he is now competent on the ball, and his defensive play is still as good as it has always been. The block he produced in the second half was superb. Almunia also produced a fine save in the second half and generally seemed quite commanding in the air. Foresteri and Anya also produced some excellent moments.
But there were negatives. Birmingham really seemed to target Cassetti, and for a large part it seemed to work. As times he was good, but he was also liable to make silly errors, like in the play-off final. A complete breakdown in communication between him and Almunia in the first half saw Cassetti head the ball over the Spaniard, thankfully it just went wide. Earlier in the half he did nothing with a ball that bounced over him, allowing Andrew Shinnie to draw out Almunia and cross the ball in, luckily for us Novak couldnât convert. In the second half any through-balls from Birmingham were targeting the inside channel of Cassetti, and Angella had to come across on more than one occasion to cover for him. Surely Brown or Ekstrand would be better to play against Bournemouth then Cassetti.
We also seemed to lose a lot of momentum from the first 25-30 minutes or so, when we at first passed Birmingham off the park. Part of it was down Birmingham pressuring us more and putting us on the back foot, part of it was down to our sloppy passing. Birmingham were very unlucky not to score, they did everything but put the ball in the back of the net. It does show that even though we are better at moving the ball then other teams, weâre not going to steam-roller too many other clubs teams. With a 3-5-2 its quite easy to pull a team apart if the other side can put a few passes together. Obviously Iâm not the manager, but would a 4-3-3 be more suitable for us?
Generally though, we did well to beat a team who will finish about mid-table this year. Birmingham had a good defensive basis, but it showed that their front two were playing for Mansfield and Iverness Caledonian Thistle last year, they really lacked a cutting edge in their attack. For us, there is still al ot to improve, but itâs good to put three points on the board at the start of the season.
Was quite a lively game, thought the away support was great, despite the travel issues. On a final note, the pass-back issue was a complete disgrace on Birmingham and Lee Novakâs behalf. It doesnât matter if you donât believe the player whose down is actually injured, if the ball is kicked out of play it is an unwritten law to kick it back to the other team. There would have been pandemonium if Birmingham had scored from that. And they have the cheek to complain about our sportsmanship!
COYH!
Of the players from last year, Doyley had a great game. I canât quite believe how far he has come on since Zola has become manager. From being a liability he is now competent on the ball, and his defensive play is still as good as it has always been. The block he produced in the second half was superb. Almunia also produced a fine save in the second half and generally seemed quite commanding in the air. Foresteri and Anya also produced some excellent moments.
But there were negatives. Birmingham really seemed to target Cassetti, and for a large part it seemed to work. As times he was good, but he was also liable to make silly errors, like in the play-off final. A complete breakdown in communication between him and Almunia in the first half saw Cassetti head the ball over the Spaniard, thankfully it just went wide. Earlier in the half he did nothing with a ball that bounced over him, allowing Andrew Shinnie to draw out Almunia and cross the ball in, luckily for us Novak couldnât convert. In the second half any through-balls from Birmingham were targeting the inside channel of Cassetti, and Angella had to come across on more than one occasion to cover for him. Surely Brown or Ekstrand would be better to play against Bournemouth then Cassetti.
We also seemed to lose a lot of momentum from the first 25-30 minutes or so, when we at first passed Birmingham off the park. Part of it was down Birmingham pressuring us more and putting us on the back foot, part of it was down to our sloppy passing. Birmingham were very unlucky not to score, they did everything but put the ball in the back of the net. It does show that even though we are better at moving the ball then other teams, weâre not going to steam-roller too many other clubs teams. With a 3-5-2 its quite easy to pull a team apart if the other side can put a few passes together. Obviously Iâm not the manager, but would a 4-3-3 be more suitable for us?
Generally though, we did well to beat a team who will finish about mid-table this year. Birmingham had a good defensive basis, but it showed that their front two were playing for Mansfield and Iverness Caledonian Thistle last year, they really lacked a cutting edge in their attack. For us, there is still al ot to improve, but itâs good to put three points on the board at the start of the season.
Was quite a lively game, thought the away support was great, despite the travel issues. On a final note, the pass-back issue was a complete disgrace on Birmingham and Lee Novakâs behalf. It doesnât matter if you donât believe the player whose down is actually injured, if the ball is kicked out of play it is an unwritten law to kick it back to the other team. There would have been pandemonium if Birmingham had scored from that. And they have the cheek to complain about our sportsmanship!
COYH!
