JoeAman08

1 minute ago, petehinton said:

I cannot ******* believe we’ve actually kept Flint upfront. At 3-0 down. Ridiculous 

It is ridiculous he ever ended up there for more than 10 min at the end of the match. Should never have been an option imo. 

1 minute ago, ZiderEyed said:

Think this is it really. We could be using these players but LJ obviously feels that he either can't trust them or that a tired BR is better than a fresh Woodrow.

I like LJ. Hope no one thinks I do not. Just think he could have rotated more than he has. I like all our players and would trust them in a mostly unchanged side. Example Woodrow with Paterson and Eliasson for Brownhill. Even if for only 60 minutes. 

2 minutes ago, The Gasbuster said:

Leko back with W.B.A. now.

He is on the bench now isn’t he?

2 minutes ago, ZiderEyed said:

Was under the impression Holden wasn't a CM? Totally forgot about Woodrow, just wanted to get Saint Arnold in the side somewhere.

Think he probably is more of an attacking midfielder but think he can play both wings and midfield. How effective his defensive abilities would be compared to Andrews I do not know but Holden came in with a decent reputation so possibly closer to the first team? 

3 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

So far I wouldn't be too harsh on them. Unlike the wolves game, I'm struggling to think of things Johnson could have done differently. We look a tired team. 

He could have been more creative with his lineups imo. No reason for Bobby Reid to start every match in this run. Taylor and Woodrow championship standard even if not top 6 level. Then could use Reid off bench for Korey or Pack. Eliasson has not started since Sheff U. Kelly and Vyner not used much. I know we have been winning most games but has it been at the expense of the second half of the season? 

2 minutes ago, ZiderEyed said:

Totally agree.

Steele

Vyner Flint Magnússon Kelly

Eliasson Bakinson Andrews* Leko (If he's still here)

Garita Lemonheigh-Evans

 

 

*= Is Andrews with us now?

We can do better than that and rest players. 

Steele

Vyner Flint Plavotic Mags

Eliasson Bakinson Holden Leko

Taylor

Woodrow

9 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

I blame you @JoeAman08 

 

I thought it as soon as I saw the goalscorer  didn’t even cross my mind earlier we were playing him in a few hours

Sounds like December caught up to us finally. 

We were brilliant against Boro last week. We were not very good tonight. That is why you play the games. Very rarely do teams play fantatic every week. This team has a will to win and I am delighted. 

Hope Korey recovers quickly

Most disappointing thing is the lack of energy tonight. They are first to everything. 

Well still so open. Where was the midfield? They won the ball back and got to run at our defenders. Like we were the team losing 

I get why Eliasson off but will we ever see them on the pitch together??

1 minute ago, wendyredredrobin said:

Sounds like maggers is having another mare at LB and Bailey is not really a RB. Are our two young fullbacks really not up to it? Surely they couldn't do much worse.

I would use them. See what they are made of. Especially Kelly who must have sky high confidence after his U20 call ups. Not as if Mags has taken his chances this season

1 minute ago, downendcity said:

International break again doing us no favours.

On a good run before the last break but since it we seem to be unable to come out of the blocks quickly from the start. Not helped by mounting injuries causing LJ go have to compromise on team selections.

 

Paterson, Bryan, Pisano, and Diedhiou all out injured and nailed on starters when fit. We are suffering from missing that quality. Was ok with just Pisano missing but all that momentum is gone because our best XI hasn’t played a game together in over a month. The break gave us a chance to get fit but ultimeately wasn’t long enough. Have to hope Joe and Pato are good to go next weekend. Depth at CM in January is crucial but we all see it, will city?

Up to 8 points from 12 against all teams you'd think would be top half teams. I'm not complaining. If we are going to be serious playoff contenders(and that's got to be in their minds a bit) we need to take the 3 points on Tuesday night. It takes pressure off the Saturday game at Ipswich if we do. 

Young team, busy couple of weeks and away to a capable team. At Reading they grew into the game. Hopefully a case of similar today. Good to see us keeping it 0-0 and make a couple adjustments HT. 

Gone to a promotion contender on a cold rainy Tuesday night after an away game on Saturday. A place we haven't won since the 30s? On a night we haven't won a championship game since 2012? Fought back not once but twice and then got a go ahead goal with half a team that hasn't played together this season.  They'll be disappointed they conceded late but if people still doubt the character of this current team then nothing will change it. 

I am quite chuffed by this point on top of Saturday. I'm quietly fancying us to finish top 10. Still early for sure but we just feel so much stronger and together as a team. Well at least that's what I'm sensing. It's still a young squad so maybe some rough patches but it doesn't seem they fear teams or stretches of good play by the opposition. They'll keep working their socks off and their quality levels keep rising on the ball. 

Wolves lining up 343 so could be an attempt to match them. With second game in a few days I don't mind the change. I don't have expectations for tonight anyway so as long as they work hard I'll be happy. 

I've not read most of this as on the way back but I'll give some of my thoughts anyway. Thought we were good today. First half quite boring and wasteful from us. What really impressed me is a very young attack and midfield grow in confidence against a top championship side. Lucky to win but even some passing reading fans were impressed with our passing and movement second half. 

Another thing that made me smile was watching 2.5m worth of wingers in Callum O'Dowda and Jamie Paterson matchup with 12m of wingers in Barrow and Aluko. Aluko much like Paterson. Works hard finding pockets of space and making things happen cutting inside. While Barrow  showing similarities with COD by taking players on and using pace to get into good areas. You know what else? He doesn't have much end product either. I'm quite happy with the pair of them and can't wait to see what Eliasson brings. Anyway, think they had decent enough games between them. 

The back 4 was strong especially Flint through his left side. Vyner ok but he doesn't have much experience and wasn't embarrassed or anything. It'll be vital for his growth. Joe Bryan looks every bit a top LB. Good to see Flint in there. So much more dangerous on set pieces with him out there. 

Korey and Brownhill strong pairing. Prefer it to Pack and Smith. Think Brownhill needs to be the partner to either. Maybe depends on matchup. Good choice today. 

Fam has his own thread. Doesn't need much more attention. Hope he gets acclimated soon. Thought Bobby was outstanding second half in particular. He not only links the play well but our best threat in behind. Makes so many clever runs and many don't get found. Just harasses CBs and keepers on the ball. Never stops running. Quickly becoming one of my favourites. Always rated him but the position change has highlighted his best attributes. 

Leko looks a bundle of energy when he gets on the ball. Maybe to the point of overconfidence. Gave one away around out box but didn't cost us. Not afraid to take players on(successfully I might add) and quite strong on the ball. Came on as a striker but looks a winger to me. Not had any time with us so solid enough debut. 

LJ got tactics spot on imo. Reading never really threatened outside of counter attacks and that was remedied after HT. Think we are seeing a good manager blossom in front of us and a young team doing the same. I don't know where we'll sit in the table come end of the season but I'd be surprised if it was anywhere outside of 12th. So solid defensively and growing confindence in our ability on the ball. 

3 minutes ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

Well I am watching the game on a live feed and I am telling you what I have seen in the 1st 45 minutes, what is difficult to understand about that?.

They aren't having mares. COD doing his hit defensively. I'll give you Vyner struggling a bit but Barrow a tough cover and not come to anything so far and hasn't really looked likely either. 

3 minutes ago, JamesBCFC said:

Last years 3rd best team and playoff finalists "aren't all that"?

Tbf when they have the ball they pass sideways and back quite a bit. Don't look too dangerous. It's when we get on the ball and lose it they look a threat. I wouldn't be angry if we slowed it down because I think the last 20 min might be tough at this rate in terms of fitness. Some quick free quicks which came to nothing. Take some time and try and pick out Flint. 

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Sounds like we've been a little tentative and lacking quality on the ball.  If we can improve in second half then hopefully get something

Yea pretty much. Our eagerness when we get the ball is costing us a bit. Reading pass pass pass so when we get it we are impatient and try a killer ball and turn it over. In a way we are less threatened when we don't have the ball. Reading look far more dangerous countering. 

Wright warming up early. May come on for Baker? Don't know maybe just some exercise. Tough one to call today. I'm here so want more action but 0-0 would be a decent enough result. 

@havanatopia I love the write ups as it has local history about them. Maybe you give a lot of knowledge that isn't well known but being American and only learning history from that perspective, I really appreciate the extra history you give outside of the football. Another great write up

On one hand I'm a bit sad we won't see a few youngsters today but glad we are going for it. Our horrible run probably cost some of the youth some minutes but we the fans and the players could do with one last good performance to think about all summer. Hope we get it!