Good start so far, chucked a fiver on kenwyn to be top scorer of championship at 66/1 before start of game as i did say in another thread he would be top scorer had to back my own words there...
Three in midfield means we are getting outnumbered and receiving less possession that Blackburn. Maynard needs to come off and be replaced by a midfielder.
City are giving away possession far to easy. KJ seems to be the target man every time the ball is booted up the pitch. Very predictable.
Not the best performance ever, but some good signs. Not many teams will win at Blackburn this season. Plenty of effort all round, even from Kenwynne. I don't think we can play three strikers away from home and get away with it. Hope Ole has a plan B and C.
Much more solid in the middle when Adeyemi came on but very poor going forward second half. No pace at all. Come back Noonie. Daehli looked a little boy lost. He needs more support and players running the channels for him. Centre backs did okay overall with Rudy not really threatening in the box although he won a lot of ball. Whitts looked very slow the whole game. Brilliant delivery for the goal and some other dead balls but we need him to do more than just that. Ah well, a draw is better than a defeat and gives Ole something to work from. Oh and yes, thank you Mr. Madley for not giving the pen in the first minute. That would have been a great start to the season - NOT!!!
We need to get Digackoi fit and Adeyemi in for Gunnarson. We have discussed it before but can we keep Whitts in for his set piece delivery. Defensively we looked pretty solid and we will get others in to improve what we have.
Pleasantly surprised to be honest. I never thought we'd get anything from this one with the weight of expectation on us this season. Kenwynne anticipated well for the goal but faded presumably through lack of fitness. Maynard was very quiet. I thought Brayford stood out at the back. Not so sure we should start many away games with that set up. Bit too adventurous. Seemed to be a gaping hole between defence and forwards second half, ironically with an added midfielder and we looked off the pace overall. Very impressed with Conway. Always liked his work rate when he was with us.
Aye Bob, fear the worst and you'll never be disappointed. Either the system didn't suit Whitts or Whitts didn't suit the system - whatever, he was very poor on the ball last night. Fair play, he took some stick that went unpunished, but I expected far more influence from him. Back to the system. I'm not sure what it was supposed to be other than sticking Le Fondre out wide on the right and Daehli on the left to start. Kenwyne was obviously going to be used as an old fashioned battering ram, but where was Maynard supposed to fit it? After about 20 minutes, Daehli left his wide left berth to slot into midfield as a holding defensive midfielder - hardly his most effective role. He looked lost and was probably glad to get the hook - I hope we've seen the last of that "system". Apart from his combatative spirit, I also can't understand why Gunnar played the whole game. He is almost as slow as Whitts and we were chasing shadows in midfield. Adeyemi will surely get the start against Huddersfield. One other little thing that frustrated the hell out of me. When we had a throw in, the lack of movement from our players and willingness to recieve the ball often left the thrower looking like a fart standing on the touchline. FFS, you've got to want the bloody ball instead of standing around waiting for someone to give it to you. Overall, a good point on the board first game of the season away to a decent outfit, but we looked very unsure of ourselves and often very clumsy when in possession. Wouldn't say clueless, but getting that way on times.
We all seem to be in agreement except for the fact - and I'm surprised to say this - that Hudson and Connoly looked pretty good to me as a centre back pairing. I sincerely hope Hudson stays as he can do a job for us this season. Despite Blackburn's large share of the possession they never looked like scoring in the second half so all in all that was not a bad defensive display. The formation, as others have said, clearly did not work. Some sides play 5 in midfield so if we pursue with 4-3-3 we will be completely overrun even more so than last night. Nonetheless I would have taken a point before the game so all in all a good result and hopefully some lessons learned by OGS.
Also when ken Wynne-jones [new welsh name for him] was on we numerous throw ins ripe for a classic gun arson launch into the box why aren't we using it! we used it often last time we were in the championship but not in the premiership so slightly confused at this one
Gunnar had shoulder surgery the year before last and hasn't taken a throw in since. The commentators ask the same question but didn't have the answer. 35% possession according to the beeb. Poor given Ole wants to be a possession side. Jones should be plan B not plan A. Le Fondre and Maynard up front, Burgstaller in for Jones making 442 and Adeyemi for Gunner. On a positive note, I agree that Connely and Huds looked ok. A positive from the night. Back on Sky on Wednesday with the B team against Coventry.
Must agree whoops - on that performance, Hudson and Connolly deserve another go together against Huddersfield. Assuming no one new comes in before then and Turner unavailable, only Cala can displace either. I expect him to get a run out against Cov in the cup, but he would have to turn in a very impressive performance to be considered after last night. I also thought that Brayford and Fabio were well worthy of their places - it was in front of that back four that it didn't look right at all. Strangely enough, with all the options available to him in midfield, that was the one area that Ole got wrong - either the personnel involved, or equally as likely the system.
This is when we open up the Whitts debate, Digackoi to come in for Gunnar and Adeyemi in leave us with only 2 wide midfielders/wingers. We also have the possibilities of a complete change of formation to a 3-5-2 but would you prefer Daehli in the 10 role or out wide. The good thing is we have options now the bad thing is we didnt look like keeping the ball for decent periods yesterday and allowed Blackburn to come on to us.
The slick passing game was missing - we couldn't hold on to the ball and the lack of movement from Whitts and Gunnar hung Daehli out to dry on the left. Even Fabio seemed reluctant to go forward to help him (obeying instructions?) down that side, whilst at least Brayford had a go with Le Fondre being asked to play an unnatural game for him helping out. There seem so many options now that Dikgacoi and Adeyemi are in the mix that Gunnar's days must be numbered. Should we play both Daehli and Whitts at the same time with at least one of those two new guys starting? I hope Ole has a got a grip on this and we don't see a different 4/5 man midfield for every game. I hope we stick to a 4-4-2 at home, the 4-3-3 setup is wasting Le Fondre and Daehli.
