Alessandro

Rumours Maggers might be starting today.....

1 minute ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

So who is playing right back?, I haven't seen Smith in the right back position once.

Brownhill...

8 minutes ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

Well definitely 3 at the back with Brownhill and Bryan as wing backs.

Really? Am I being stupid, who is the third CB?

Kent wide right supported by Brownhill.

Pato wide left supported by Bryan.

Looks 4-4-2 to me with our usual fluidity?! 

2 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

Be prepared to be surprised then as on several occasions this season LJ has picked the team up to 5 days in advance and let the players know accordingly. 

That may well be the case from time to time, who knows, easy to say, harder to prove - but it still doesn't explain that it would have been a very odd choice, IMO, to drop either top scorer Reid, or Fam who has scored and looked good since he came back, for someone who clearly hasn't been up to speed since he arrived. I imagine he needs more runs off the bench first.

I'm guessing if you're right he'll start against Leeds next Sunday when he has had chance to recover from the flu, although if he did have it, i'm surprised he is on the bench today. Which suggests maybe it was a cold, in which case he could have started.

8 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

If it's me you're referring to then I stated that Diony wouldn't feature as he's had the flu this week. I was told that on Wednesday. Just because he's on the bench doesn't mean he'll play a part. He was due to start the game today. Maybe he has recovered quicker than expected. Think my record speaks for itself on this forum but if you want to lazily call it 'bullshit ' then up to you. Sure people can make their own minds up!

I’d be surprised if Diony was going to start today and I’d be even more surprised if you knew specifically LJ was going to start with him. That’s pretty private knowledge I would imagine.

I’m sure in training this week they tried all sorts of combinations, that  people could have seen, but if he has had the flu, but was going to start, that means LJ would have decided that some time early last week, which seems a little early and certainly a little harsh on whoever would have made Way and a gamble after his performance against Bolton showed someone no where near upto speed with the division yet. 

4 minutes ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

Hopefully 3 at the back, if not playing our best midfielder at right back is a mistake IMO, I am surprised Paterson is being given another chance.

Can't see how that line up is anything but a variation on 4-4-2.

Agree about Korey at RB, let's hope we are bettered prepared this week with this set up.

Frustrating stuff.

Some nice football - but the lack of killer ball key.

Smash and grab by Norwich, don’t think we dealt with their 5 across the back and we NEED to do better against teams that come to sit back or counter.

It will happen over and again between now and end of season with teams coming to do the same, because that’s how to beat us.

But onwards and upwards, pick up and go again. All will be forgotten if we beat Derby away.

Walsh in the hole and Pato left?

Or Walsh left and Pato in the hole?

That is probably up there with the worst half performances by our boys this season.

Need some magic to get back into this game.

6 minutes ago, Olé said:

Said it on here many times before, but I despise Wolves with every fibre in my body. Loathe them more than just about anyone. Like some others, reasons aren't always known to me, but mostly experiences at Molineux and elsewhere with their fans. I'm already dreading the thought of them all waving their adopted Portugal flags in the away end today (which they appear to be doing this season) - it makes the stomach sick and the heart sink. No conflict for me, just added repulsion.  

No need to sit on the fence so much, tell us how you really feel!

30 minutes ago, Homer Simpson said:

Anyone know the best way to stick a Season Card back together.

Don’t worry - there’ll be plenty who know how to on OTIB!

www.youtube.com/thatch-howto-stickaseasoncard-hack.otib.co.uk

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

He’s played 353 minutes in total (less than 4 full games), scored 2 and an assist.  He needs a run of games to get sharp, and get used to his role within the team.  He’s a decent player.  Too many, too quick to judge negatively.

Agree with that 100% Dave - we’ve seen very little of him, too little to judge fairly. Especially as he has been kept out the team by some good performances from others.

He did well at Burton, I really hope he can take his chance over the coming weeks...

14 minutes ago, Fordy62 said:

Prediction... Woodrow proves himself to be better than many people think he is. 

This is Famara-gate all over again.....just the other way round......hope you’re right!

1 minute ago, ZiderEyed said:

Wrap up the game.

Boom!

Near perfect first half.

Harassed and hounded them off the ball and on the ball the interplay between Bobby, the five in midfield and Bryan bursting forward, superb at times. 

Smith spotted Brownhill’s run on the right, who knocked it across to Bobby for a tap in, before Smith finished into the corner from a cut back from O’Dowda, after he did his marker for pace. 

We look pretty confident and in control (famous last words). The only real joy they had was a few shots on their right, no doubt aided by settling the changes made at right back with Pisano unfortunately going off.

Maggers needs to calm it though and do the simple things better, I counted three mistakes that led to chances for Fulham.

LJ seems to have called this one right with the formation, exploiting the width well where Fulham are giving us too much space.

I expect they’ll react to that and then we can bring on Durex to help protect the lead.

3 minutes ago, The dastardly red said:

so did flint score or was it bobby? I had a fiver on flint last goal scorer

Bobby - slight deflection of the defender

Brum losing 6-1. Ouch

Wright at right back has not worked for me today

More goals in this game for us, same again and we'll take the three points.

Wow! Come on City, keep it going...

Again I'd be happy with a draw.

But I think the players will believe they can win this one. 

They've lost three of their last 6, once to Fulham, who are level with us.

COYR

40 minutes ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

Whoa where did I say that?.

I am not somebody who has written him off, I have seen glimpses of what he offers but today I thought his general hold up play was poor especially at times when we needed it, but worst of all he seems for a big powerful guy incredibly easy to knock off of the ball and I don't think at times that his closing down of defenders was good enough putting enough pressure on defenders thus making it easy for them to launch fresh attacks and that significantly improved when Taylor came on IMO.

 

Opinions, as I said before, I'd like to see the game again, i'll try and watch him, but my instincts watching today make me think your 5 and your analysis is a little harsh today, as I feel he won more headers than anyone else in attack and held the ball up more than anyone today as well, IMO. I remember thinking a number of times he got himself about well and looked to give an outlet, a few times out wide. Certainly not his most effective game, don't get me wrong. 

Things may have improved with Taylor, but I don't think it was because he was stronger or necessarily put more pressure on defenders, it was his movement opening up space. 

4 minutes ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

I marked him down because I don't think he is not strong enough and sometimes IMO he doesn't do enough to hold the ball up or to prevent the defender moving the ball far too easily to set up another attack, we looked more of a threat when he went off.

Yes we see glimpses but that for me make him more frustrating, but hey it's all about opinions and that is mine.

 

Of course all opinions. 

I guess if it's your opinion that that's Famara's main purpose in the team, to hold up the ball, then you will judge him mainly on that. I think it's not and he is linking up better every game. Equally Leko, Bobby and Matty had the ball into feet a number of times today and it didn't stick. 

Thought he held up the ball several times today, certainly won a number of flick on's. I'd like to watch the game again and see the again.

19 minutes ago, Esmond Million's Bung said:

A great and entirely well deserved point and keeps the run going. We have shown that we can hold our own against the supposed better teams in this league and the squad is capable and working well.

Fielding 7 had little to do but what he to do he did well enough.

Wright 7 another steady game.

Flint 7 won everything in the air.

Baker 9 just gets better and better MOM.

Bryan 8 another great display.

Patterson 6 occasionally casual in dangerous positions and I wish he would hit the ball when in a good position and not stroke it, but overall played his part.

Smith 8 with the amount of touches he gets (because he is always available) he will occasionally play loose balls, one great goal saving tackle in the first half and another great overall display, should have hit the target late on.

Brownhill 7 another who is occasionally casual in dangerous position, but improving all of the time.

Leko 5 never in it and rightly subbed at half time.

Reid 6 never gives up and has to be watched at all times, sometimes over complicates things.

Diedhiou 5 far too nice and weak, needs to find an aggressive streak.

LJ 10 got everything right once more, set up, tactics and substitutions spot on, we are a difficult team to beat at the moment but still have a threat on the break.

ODowda 7 he is definitely getting stronger by the game, another who into a good position and tried to stroke the ball instead of putting his laces through it.

Taylor 7 like Reid always a threat and works so hard.

Pack 7 came on at the right time and steadied the ship again.
 

Think 5 for Famara is harsh. 

For me influenced the game as least as much as Bobby did while he was on, so at least a 6.

Seemed to win a lot in the air today, and had one sublime moment of skill controlling the ball out the air, turning and sending a pass across to Bobby in a good position, who should have done better. 

Thought Bobby was more wasteful today, personally. 

Not vintage by any means, but a solid draw....