I thought we were far from our best today and a point was about all we deserved from a weak team performance. We looked disorganized and at times uninterested but by far the worst thing in my mind is who decided Diedhou was worth a fling at 5.8 million? Nothing in any of his outings has convinced me that he needs to be in the starting line-up and perhaps his substitution in the last 2 games is a bad omen. He didn't look pleased when he was removed, but at least there is some consolation and that is that Lee can still head a ball better than our Frenchman. If our leader wants to see crowds higher than the mid 18,000 range then he will need a better display than what I saw today. Very disappointing to be honest.
Mike last season is creeping back in. And who says are new signings are better than what we had. Ten games and the same,then it is time for SL to take make the right decision and bring a new and experienced guy in. Alan Pardew is out there as is Nigel Pearson both would jump at the chance to take City too the next level. SL decision should look at these two if it starts nose diving.
Said several times during the game I said that that for £5 and a bit million, I expected an awful lot more. Rightly subbed. From what I saw in the south stand, he looked lucky not to have been sent off rather than booked. Sorry, jury is out for me, will need to be convinced .that he is good to keep. Smith had a poor one. Got a big cheer one time but that was for winning the ball back that he had given away poorly and nearly cost us a goal. That said, ratings would have been Diedhiou and Smith 4, Brownhill 5 and the rest 6 at best. Difficult to pick MoM probably Fielding again but how many times did he kick the ball out of play? Poor game but sometimes you need to credit the opposition. Their tactics worked today. Thought we should have had a pen but ref again was a lot closer than me. Fussy ref. Never let the game flow-
Of our 4 games so far 3 have been against teams in the bottom 5. Birmingham was the other team we've played - beaten last night by the mighty free spending Burton. Doesn't bode well especially with all the millions given in 3 windows to Johnson. This season until till today, according to Johnson, we've won first halves but lost the second. No doubt in my mind that other managers can adapt, Johnson can't. Am I surprised, of course not, known from day 1 he's just not up to the task. Lansdown will, eventually see sense but don't expect it anytime soon. Some need to be kicked in the balls to know it hurts.
The problem I have with Diedhou I can't even see some boiling potential waiting to come to the surface. If he were creating a myriad of chances for others then perhaps, just perhaps, he is worth at least some of the transfer fee but as you say the jury is out.
