Davefevs

Fitness was what he said, no question about his physicality. Nige also said that he can make an impact too. Despite getting himself fit / fitter, I’d say he’s not looked as good for the u23s this season as last season. I’m sure @Lrrr might suggest we aren’t playing quite the same system as last season, where we often played Bell and Conway either side of him. Yep, exactly could be that. The Irish league starts soon, today was a friendly. Not sure if they’re qualified for Europe again, like last season.

Wouldn’t it be great if it was for a contract extension photoshoot.

Haha, I was going to, but I’m a very mature person ?

I seem to recall that some clubs give a player 2 of each (home, away, 3rd) at the start of each season and they are charged for any needed after that. No idea if City do.

It’s a surprise to me really, because Bents was always decent with his feet, but Brentford got rid of him because they wanted better….David Raya. As it happens Bents distribution has gone from being pretty good (relative to City) to quite poor. I don’t think it’s just instruction per se, I think it’s part confidence and part technical. What we also have to realise that goalkeeping is much more than shot-stopping. When O’Leary was first picked over Bents I said that we often say Max is a good shot stopper, but he doesn’t command his area, and his kicking gives us the heebie-jeebies at times. I then questioned - how different is that to Bentley, so why not give Max games. As it stands his kicking is an upgrade over Bentley’s this season, so for me Max retains the multi-coloured shirt. Back to being more than shot stopping. It appears that one of the pre-requisites of a modern day goalie is their proficiency with the ball at their feet…it is felt you can teach the technical bits of keeping. Harv Wiles-Richards was an outfield player until relatively recently. Edwin Van der Sar’s beanpole frame wasn’t a worry to Ferguson despite the physical nature of English footie….he wanted the best keeper with his feet. Teams rarely pressed VDS because he was so good with his feet. Some of that change in play is a) part tactics (a change from previously), b) some of it part O’Leary and some of it c) part the return from injury of Semenyo…which also covers a). he probably would, but he might have key in some if the shots Max has saved too. Swings and Roundabouts.

Yep, lots of positives, yet so many want to focus on the negatives of Nige’s reign.

Geek! And playing him centrally too ?

Cool as ****

Yep, which is why he annoys me when he plays deep.

Ah, sorry Monkeh.

There was a ball put into our RCB channel first time in the second half with Harris a good few yards ahead of Kalas. He put on the after-burners, and elegantly cruised past Harris to win the ball. Very good today.

Mine too, and so disappointing to see him drop below the levels he can perform at….for whatever reason. Think you’ll find he conned the driver and got a “half return” ?

Worth listening to Gary Owers post-match summary on BBCRB…..said Semenyo almost snapped the post, and the earlier shot on the turn a,most broke the keepers hands. Thing is he generates so much power without needing to blast it. How many times have we seen an opposition striker bully us…now we have one. It’s mint innit!

Was like Downsy v Jive Bunny today.

Said in the last week, that it’s only with Antoine’s return from injury that it appears that Nige is comfortable resting Martin.

Joao back for Reading today, might be the boost they need, but they are on a big slide. With Cardiff’s bad firm too, Peterborough will live in hope.

Bakinson 17 minutes with Ipswich already 2-1 up. Sam Pearson 15 minutes in a 1-1 draw for ICT.

When Massengo gave the ball away, my first reaction was for him to sprint as quickly as he could to not play anyone onside. He didn’t. I will try and pause it on the cross when Wyscout updates, because Collins is very tight to being offside - but obviously played on by Massengo. I believe they will. Both sides struggled, we weren’t outplayed, they were no better, just had a few set pieces that’s all. Just because we weren’t playing well, doesn’t always mean our opponent is though. Imho.

This isn’t a dig at Diedhiou but it equals the best league goals Fam managed here, in 27 league games….19 to go.

No, sorry. Wyscout doesn’t run til overnight. Whoscored will have stuff but I don’t use it.

Just need to win every 3 or 4 games and we are fine. I don’t see us going on a 7/8 winless run of games. I actually see us hitting 50+ fairly easily.

Was found in the toilets with loads of skid marks on it!

Earlier I called him an “over-size” Joe Bryan…especially when he’s driving forward with the ball. Bit of work to do on his positioning as a LCB3, but his versatility (like Scott) is a huge bonus with a small squad.

Their goalscorer Ryan Longman is on my watch-list. On loan from Brighton, will have a year left on his contract in the summer (exp. June 2023), would be someone I’d seriously look at if he was sensibly priced.