Alessandro

Well that was a better second half at least, fair play. Much more competitive and went down fighting. Shame as arguably the best chance of the second half fell to us - Cornick (much better second half) slashing a half volley straight at the keeper, looked like it was there to be buried, but would like to see it again. OTC well done fella, great little cameo in a hectic game against a physical Luton team.

Come on then lads - let’s nick it COYR

Didn’t expect anything from tonight TBH - but hoped for some positives at least - perhaps looking compact and good on the break. But we’ve been absolutely schooled in that first half. We’re miles and miles off top 6 levels. They’re quicker, stronger and more technical all over the pitch - dominating us in the air and on the deck. Despite that it was two mistakes (good pressing though) that gifted them the goal, loose passing a feature for us all half. We seem to be looking to run before we can walk, and ended up tripping over early on before crawling on for 40 minutes. Pring in particular having a shocker (admittedly still deputising at CB) and very lucky not to have been sent off. Weimann and King loose. Cornick miles off the pace. Mehmeti and Scott not in the game. Positives? We’re only 1 nil down. A few good saves from Max. That’s about it for me.

After that hugely disappointing Cardiff game followed by more frustration at Huddersfield - on reflection i'm feeling much more positive today looking back at those 3 games as a whole. Vs Cardiff was always going to be difficult after the Man City game and we know we still can struggle against physical teams. Vs Huddersfield it was crazy we didn't score and at times today you had that sense of dejavu. In reality, the way we dominated for such large parts of the game in the last two matches (admittedly against poor teams) is kind of unprecedented for us for what, how long? many years. Even with the key players out, the way we can keep the ball, the possession, passing and movement, the technical skills of the midfield and forward players, is as good as it's been IMO at this level than I can remember. Today and Tuesday were a sign of how far we've come under Pearson, footballing wise, but also a reality check of where we still need to get to to consistently challenge the top end of the division next season.

Well it’s one of those, how haven’t we scored? kind of half’s. At times wave after wave of attacks for us with Huddersfield trying to Warnock us out the game, catch us on the break but can’t make any passes stick, so we just keep coming back. Bell back on the left (thank you for listening Nige) with another late near post run flicked probably the best chance over the bar - one of those chances that flashes quickly and you’d say ‘should have hit the target’ but also ‘what a goal’ had it gone in. What followed was a raft of chances, Sykes far post header from Scott cross scrambled away - another corner (Scott whipping in again) nodded on to Pring whose header was parried into King’s path, and lunging for it for his feet mixed up and side footed a very good chance wide. Scott slashed at a volleyed chance. Wells so much better in that central role linking excellently at times and providing options. Ref a topic of debate again with questionable decisions for both teams and serious inconsistency with free kicks and bookings with a filthy Huddersfield too often allowed to attempt to kick Scott and James out of the game. They’re absolutely there for the taking, but really hoping our inability to score from open play recently doesn’t come back to haunt us here.

To me it was odd he was being benched and I wondered if he was being managed into the run up to the Man City game. But then you'd think he'd start v Cardiff unless he can't do two in a week, which I doubt, unless not fully fit or some other reason. Think Cornick is taking time to settle which hasn't helped either. Ultimately, I would be surprised if he was picking others over Wells simply for footballing reasons.

Is it just me, or isn't there an elephant in the room that no one has mentioned yet? Everyone else has been mentioned. I know he is a golden boy, rightly so, big potential and Bristol boy son of former player etc, so I expect pelters for this, but Bell: Not a criticism of him directly as I'm sure he will continue to develop - but don't be blinded by his few good runs and goals, I think his overall play is nowhere near up to standard right now, nor should he be necessarily for that matter at his age and development. Dropping Wells and him playing centrally also collates with arguably our worst performances since Christmas. Yes he presses hard and works for the team - but it's not enough. Any quick 18/19/20 year old quick kid can run at a keeper or defender and try and put them off. He was so easily marshalled today that Cardiff could stick 2 or 3 on Mehmeti and Scott no problem whatsoever. We've got a three page thread criticising Mehmeti, if he was a 4 or 5/10 today Bell was a 2 or 3 IMO. Yes, we should be developing players and looking to the future which he is part of but I still think he is someone who should be either a) out wide or b) coming off the bench right now - especially if we want to be a team challenging the top half and above. Perhaps i'm being harsh - it's not so much a criticism of him or his potential, but more how he's being used right now.

A big week for us comes crashing down, I don’t know if we’re hungover from Tuesday which would be understandable or still drunk on the praise we got from some areas. But that was a shit show of a second half - back to the fragile pre-Christmas performances. Pathetically we couldn’t even test the outfield player in goal after the red card. Too many off colour today. NP - Bell playing two games at CF - 9/10 for press and effort, 3/10 for anything else - subbed twice at 60 mins. Please not again. Then we go football manager all out attack and we look so disjointed - people say we can switch up the front 3 mid games no problem, no we can’t, not yet. We didn’t today and we haven’t really yet consistently this season IMO. The poor show compounded by the injuries to Williams and Kalas. Hope they’re not joining Atkinson being out for long. Deflating day.

A tense, fairly even, generally scrappy first half. It has the feel of a bottom end of the the table contest. We’ve looked bright at times and probably had the better of the possession. Chances-wise, both teams have had them - ours probably the better, notably a cross from Sykes on the break off the line from a Scott header and a Tanner cross hitting the bar. Talking of Scott, he and Mehmeti very quiet today but that’s as much to do with them being marked out the game - in fact it’s nice to have a home team so obviously set up to counter our threats. They say if you double up on one player that brings opportunities for others…which brings us on to Bell. You can’t fault is work rate, but he’s just not ready yet for the central role. Virtually every time the play came to him it broke down. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m surprised NP continues to play him there right now. Hope Williams injury isn’t a bad one, the reshuffle weakening us for me with Scott dropping deeper and Weimann still an bit out of form.

That’s what I wondered…

Yes Vyner didn't have his best game, but that could said of a few players tonight. If you're singling out Zac, i'd say you've got an 'agenda' of some type.... And if frankly given the opposition, players on a lot more money playing for much better teams have been shown up by this team, so a bit of perspective needed.

Low, very low expectations tonight - so won’t be critical: In terms of ‘giving a good account of ourselves’ we’re doing that. We knew we’d need a mistake from them and we did get one, a slip letting Bell in, but the composure not quite there. Should have had a penalty. There’s been one or two loose passes from players in good form, but it’s a different class of press TBF to them. Scott looking more than good enough for the level. Kalas, a brilliant half. Only 1 nil, so can we stay in it and take a chance.

No you're right, fair comments. I think for me it wasn't so much that it was all poor performances, it was that general feeling that the team was struggling in key areas and that confidence was dropping, hence the increase in individual mistakes that were costing us games and any points we picked up on the whole felt very hard earned!

Maybe - but how many times has he hit the traffic like he's on a motorbike, jinked in and out and sped out the other side already? We've not had a player like that for years. And now we have two, Scott and Mehmeti - two players with the skill and strength to genuinely commit players, win those tight contests and make that magic bit of space. It won't always work, but when it does.... Yes coach his decision making but don't discourage or lose that part of his game IMO.

Was going to say something similar - he's only now getting a consistent run at CB and he's steadily improving game by game to a very high level. His experience at RB helps him step out well with the ball, his experience in midfield helps him read the game better - he's found his place at CB. Certainly "Most Improved Player of the Season".

I agree with this - I think we can all see what NP is building in terms of culture and types/styles of players - that was always going to take more time than the fans would like because he had one hand tied behind his back financially. Also all the unseen stuff behind the scenes - huge credit for that. However, he's not been without fault when it comes to some tactical decisions and team selections and for example a few of us called for 4-3-3 back in October and could see the performances were equally relegation form results, and we were in dire form for a few months tail end of 2022 with few signs of improvements, with NP seemingly unable to stop the rot and make the change needed. I think the concern was justified, even if calls for sacking were too loud too soon. And the fact we've seen such a big upturn (coinciding with the formation switch) shows big Nige could have a few things to learn still and that yes, I agree with you in that for various reasons this squad was underachieving under him earlier in the season IMO.

Great win and fully deserved - better all round the park than Hull who relied on plenty of last ditch defending to avoid a heavier defeat. Their only real chance was them hitting the post from a corner which should have been a foul on Max anyway. MOM - James - today he rolled back the years. Broke up play time and again, distribution excellent. Williams alongside him great again. Ref was not my favourite, perhaps too lenient at times and inconsistent - yet despite dogs abuse from Hull and their bench, he got the penalty right - hand ball in the box - I wonder if Hull will send him a letter of apology? Onwards to Man City then Cardiff - bring it on, big week ahead.

It's nil nil but it's a pretty good first half and we continue to see our good development as a team. We've had the best of it, just can't apply the finish or the right cross. Hull not really threatened at all. Mehmeti quickly making himself one of the first names on the team sheet - Sykes still our most productive wide right man IMO. Bell - not a criticism, he's having a great break through season - but I don't understand why NP persists with him as a CF. It's not really working. Think we'll see that changed quickly in the 2nd half if not half time. Unless Nahki is nursing an injury or fatigue, I don't know why he's not there? Scott another level again, Williams continuing his good form. Kalas and Vyner very good. Referee looked like he missed a good pen shout for us, like to see that again.

Solid half. Defensively good, kept them pretty quiet and minimal chances. We’ve had the best chance, Mehmeti very very unlucky, a super save. Interesting front 3 - don’t know why he chose them and then we keep going long to big centre backs eating the ball up all day long. We need to get the ball down and play - but to be fair to Sunderland they’ve left very little space for us to work in. Referee - very questionable half, some odd decisions - on the penalty, I’m saying on balance it’s probably a soft one - defender stood his ground, he can’t just disappear, so probably just right, but you’ve seen them given!!

Quick thoughts for the night: Positives: Still unbeaten - Joe Williams, best performance in a City shirt? - Mehmeti looks a real talent - Scott still not suspended Negatives: Well it's not a result for a play off chasing team () - switched off badly for their goal, so soft - Weimann rusty, missed Sykes' recent levels

This is one time i'd be very happy to be wrong - but it's not happening. We've gone on a lovely (much needed) run in the league - 3 wins 3 draws since last game of December. But I'm not fooled by the league table, string some results together at the bottom and you can see quick progress up the table - but that slows down the higher you get as everyone around you is picking up points. It's VERY hard to make up an 8 point difference to the team in 6th whilst also overtaking all 8 teams in between us and them. For me the good run has also been in part due to the way the fixture list ebbs and flows - All teams not in either the playoffs or bottom 3. The most notable wins vs Norwich home (8th in league and 9th in form table) and Preston away (14th in league and 17th in form table) - as good as they were, not exactly 'statement wins'. The next 6/7 games sees us playing teams fighting for lives or in top 6 (except Hull) - so will be a tougher test in a way. I think as the fixtures even themselves out we'll be nicely placed upper mid table.

Sam Bell will win our next penalty. Hopefully today!

I get the feeling that is the type of performance we’ll get from him generally though - he might be a ‘disappear in a game then pop up for the winner’ kind of forward for a while. He isn’t going to impose himself physically. He’s not quite at the level he probably wants consistently to be as a ball carrier yet. But when there’s space to play into, balls over the top and into channels and balls/crosses to run onto - his pace and movement will, and is already causing defenders all sorts of problems isn’t it which is great to see.

The medical team no doubt need to take stock of him, steaks are pretty high with a key player like Naismith.

Footballers often get a bad rap for being soft, diving around, simulation and gamesmanship etc. We fans generally on the whole say we hate it. Yet you watch that game yesterday and every touch on their players, every time they went down in a challenge the home fans played along, baying for a foul or even a yellow or red card from an over dramatic the top fall. That Preston team base themselves around all that shit and the hypocritical fans encourage it and play along - does my head in. I’m not against the dark arts from time to time but I’d hate to watch that every week.