marcofisher

I think Bentley was an exceptional shot stopper, one of the best we've had. I do think we played worse as a team with him in goal though due to the fact he was not great at playing out from the back. So I will miss the exceptional saves, but I don't think Max is that much of a downgrade in that regard, and I think we play better overall with him in the team. 

Right move all round IMO.

A potential shout if anyone is looking for an outside bet: Holger Rune

4 minutes ago, Super said:

Quite unbelievable.

You look at Draper as well, 21 and falling apart physically in the 3rd set against Nadal in the first round.

He is about to hit 10 hours over 2 matches in 3 days! The man is 35 and has a metal hip!!

Undoubtably one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes and competitors 

We can't be taken for mugs here. He is the one attacker in our squad who can commit multiple defenders and create that something out of nothing against strong defences. Our return to form has coincided with his return to form, I think his departure from the starting 11 would weaken us the most.

3 minutes ago, downendcity said:

In terms of creating something from nothing, Sam didn't do too badly with his goal last night.

Yes a fantastic goal, but I wouldn't say something from nothing, there was space to attack on the break, so more of a counter attacking goal, which could suit Bell very well late in games. I meant a bit more with flair, creativity and physicality with ball at the feet where there is not that space there, rather than using pace on the break. Such as both Semenyo's and Prings assists for Sykes on Saturday.

5 minutes ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said:

I said in the Semenyo thread that I would sooner let Semenyo leave and keep Bell around instead of loaning him out. While this was said against a background of poor Semenyo form at the time, which he has to be fair turned around, it was principally because I see Sam Bell as a more natural goalscorer than Antoine who is power rather than finesse. Given our injuries and squad size I hope that Sam gets more opportunities in the weeks, ahead and goes nowhere this month. 

While I agree with the premise, we already have a natural goalscorer in Wells, and Antoine is the one player in our squad who can create something from nothing, which I don't think our other attacking players can really do.

I think the biggest difference is the improvement in concentration that has come with a consistent run of games. There doesn't seem to be the inevitable dip when playing at centre half that we had previously become accustomed too. He is also hitting his better years for a centre half, so fair play to Zak for taking his chance. 

Just now, Davefevs said:

The only thing I think that might persuade him to sign a deal (on a much lower wage) is that he has a local girlfriend (from LA).  I assume they are still together?

I don't follow keeping up with the Kalases, but I am sure he is aware that he has one last big contract, and can probably get a fair deal in Europe too.

1 hour ago, LondonBristolian said:

I do wonder how Vyner’s development impacts the situation with Kalas. Along with wages and injury record, it has to be raising further questions as to if we offer TK a new contract.

I would be amazed if we offer Kalas a new contract anyway. I think we will be worlds apart in terms of wage, and I don't think he'd sign a deal on less that 40% of what he is on now.

I would imagine that any contract we would offer would include a certain release clause, or Scott would not sign it. Protects both the club and the player then.

22 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I think the Michael Owen comparison is a good one, quick, low centre of gravity, good finish. He can play wider, but I would like to see him as central as possible. I could definitely see him feeding off through balls from likes of Scott and Williams. 

19 minutes ago, downendcity said:

His goal last night reminded me of Michael Owen's goal against Argentina in the 98 WC.

Would be ok if he's anything like as good as him!

18 minutes ago, Carey 6 said:

Reminded me a little of Sam Baldock last night. 

Thanks all - Could he play up front on his own?

Can anyone give me a comparison to another player in terms of style or what to expect? Is he a small number 9 or a winger/wide forward?

What would have been written on the Swansea’s keepers water bottle if we went to penalties? 5 times table? Beginners Welsh? 

Devastated, still no penalty!! 

Not that I don't agree with it, but that extra time will increase player workload in an already packed schedule. This needs to happen alongside a review of how much football is played. 

45 minutes ago, The Bard said:

There's no probably about it is there? There are maybe 3 games before Weimann is available if you believe what we've been told.   He might keep him out when Weimann's back because he's done well but I rather suspect that Weimann will come back into the side. Happy to eat my words if Sykes kicks on and backs up Saturday...

Weimann is not a right winger is my point, all his best performances for us have been down the middle.

1 hour ago, steveybadger said:

See I think after yesterday Sykes has to play there - we had so much more cutting edge I thought. So yes behind the striker but which of the midfield 3 do you leave out? If Scott goes it’s less of a problem but until then…

I think Weimann probably stronger. It was two easy finishes, all the hard work and creativity came from our left hand side.

11 minutes ago, steveybadger said:

Here’s a thought. If we keep this formation when Weimann returns, where does he play? Appreciate it’s a squad game and selection varies for a variety of reasons game to game, but this formation worked a treat (and IMO made us look a lot more dangerous), yet I can’t believe Pearson would leave him out?

On the right for Sykes, which admittedly isn’t his best position. Or behind the striker in a more offensive set up.

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Nope, Oxford switched to a back 3 last season and he moved to RWB.

(or were you being sarcastic?)

FWIW when he was playing no10 pre-season, he did get interviewed and say it was a different “position” but the wording he used was more relevant to being asked to play that position differently, e.g. lots of runs forward, looking to roll his man, etc.

Maybe slightly, but I was not aware that he had experience of playing there in the past! It’s not like OTIB to not tell the truth! 

16 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

CAM a lot to start with, then more RW, then towards end of his time at Oxford, at RWB.

Really? I’m sure OTIB told me RWB was a new position for me when he was playing there at the start of this season! 

Watching from the touch line that fed Kahdra through, I though Sykes was fouled in the build up when the ball was won off him before Khadra was fed through. 

For me:

Right-hand side (Tanner + Sykes)  = solid/industrious/dependable

Left-hand side (Pring+Semenyo) = flair/physicality/game-changing creativity

A nicely complimented balance today IMO.

You can see his technical ability from developing at Man Utd, never afraid to try and play on the front foot. He doesn’t have the physicality of Cam Pring per say, but for technicality and aggression I would say he is one of the best, if not the best. out of all the defenders in the squad.

I think the full back position fits him best, then right centre back and lastly wing back. Although I think he has that technical ability, anticipation and aggression to fill in anywhere amongst the back 5 defensive positions (including CDM).

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Thought he ran parts of the game today, although he gave away stupid fouls.  We got a bit stodgy towards the end of the first half when he started drifting left and blocked Pring’s channel, but I thought he had a decent game.

Thought he was subbed off at the right time. Nothing wrong with his performance until coming off until he got agitated, where it became obvious to take him off to manage fitness and for man management.