From our best performance for years to this four days later. At least we seem to have got through. Hope Trips is ok.
Not surprising when you look at the teams. Howe the difference - Bruce would’ve had 4 straight defeats by now.
Vile ****s. It's all they know. Ffs, they're only two levels above Spennymoor Town. What would Spenny do against Newcastle?
Made it through with pretty much a second string XI so no complaints! Tranmere came to make the game physical and hard and were lucky to end with 11 men on the field. Thought Lascelles was good on the night did well to battle through with a broken nose, Anderson showed glimpses that he will be a good player for us but I'd urge patience and caution with him in the immediate future Wood despite not doing a huge amount got the winner and past that we were very average - showing the discrepancy between our first team and the reserves. Murphy was a massive disappointment tbh and can't see him making the 25 man squad when it needs registering, especially if we get another wide player in, that or Isak to take his place but Murphy would have been a weak link for Tranmere last night. Ritchie storms around but his legs are starting to go and would benefit from a move to a championship club with our thanks and well wishes where he could be a first XI player. Longstaff was sloppy in possession but you can't fault his commitment - the only player going in or challenges in the second half as the players shied away from Tranmere's hard tackles. Willock probably should have had a brace at least - what happened to that 7 in 7 player at the end of the 2020/21 season? Darlow is 3rd choice and last night showed we need to keep Dubravka around as competition and backup to Pope because if we have to go back to Darlow for any reason all the hard work will be undone. Blessing in disguise Krafth's injury because we wouldn't have won that game with out Trippier - his set piece delivery and ability is insane. Targett and Dummy caught out for the opener pressing high and not recovering afterwards. Targett obviously still struggling with whatever has kept him out the last few games and needs to be bought back in slowly. Thought Lewis looked OK when he came on and gave more down the wing. All in all - a scrappy win with our second XI but at least none of the first XI got injuries and we are through to the next round. Palace at home should be a good game.
