tin

How much space did Brewster have there? It’d been coming. 

5 minutes ago, ohhhshauntaylor said:

Atkinson the only one who could sit in and do a job from our options. 

Vyner could go into midfield, Atkinson into the back three.

What frustrates me about Bakinson today is his reluctance to open up his body when receiving the ball, which almost always results in him rushing a pass or being backed into an alley. A pretty basic skill for me.

3 minutes ago, EstoniaTallinnRed said:

RB saying it was Kalas!

Well, they’re wrong unless Kalas is wearing the No.9! 

Hell of a save to deny Martin. Sheff Utd guilty of ball watching. 

7 minutes ago, dREDful said:

Unimpressive start have to say. Bakinson looks back to normal and our only set piece ended up with the worst passer in the league attempting a cross. 

Bakinson’s the most senior player in our midfield today, time to act like it and take some responsibility 

What a wasteful corner 

1 minute ago, Ecko said:

I cant find this on red button? Anyone have a link for a stream?

Sky channel 403, red button

It definitely looks like a 3-4-1-2 to start, with HNM and TB sitting in and AB as the 10. Big game for our youngsters. Average age of our midfield today is 20.4. 

I’ve got a feeling Hourihane will absolutely boss the midfield here, and what odds Brewster — who’s been unable to hit a cow’s arse with a banjo — rediscovers his goalscoring touch today.

No qualms with the selection; Nige has no other option. But our midfield is a massive concern today against an experienced campaigner like Hourihane, who always does well against us 

17 hours ago, Highburnred said:

I think you have to watch via sky sports app not the sky go app

I've been able to watch our red button games via the Sky Go app on iPhone. 

2 minutes ago, Cowshed said:

A technical point was made. Citys player does not look at the ball. The offending defending ignores the basic defensive triangle principle. If you cannot see both ball and man you cannot defend them. Its a penalty.

 

Why couldn’t he see the ball, though? Because he was being pulled left, right and centre. The first tug was made by Chester IMO, hence six of one and half a dozen of the other and no penalty.

4 hours ago, redsince1994 said:

The guy is literally pulling HNM's hair. 

Would be raging if they had got a penalty for that. 

Classic case of six of one and half a dozen of the other to me.

Having watched a re-run on Sky today, their bias was cringeworthy. 

3 hours ago, Northern Red said:

Mad innit. At least we only gave Deano a 12-month rolling contract.

At least they didn't take six weeks to come to the conclusion Heckingbottom is the man for them either, mind! 

Awful appointment. 

33 minutes ago, Dullmoan Tone said:

Just to pick 2 stats 35% possession and 50% of their shots on target.

Just look at the highlights reel ?

Not sure what you expect, Tone. We're an inconsistent team in transition and yet we beat a top-six side last night. I never expected us to dominate the ball, shots on target, or even get the three points, so it was a pleasant surprise for me. Glass half full for me, I suppose. 

I have no concerns over the performance. We played a much better side but showed plenty of guts and desire, qualities which have been lacking since NP went down with COVID again. The clean sheet and the three points should do wonders to boost morale ahead what looks like a crucial run of games against teams in and around us in the table. 

Sure, on another night, we'd have lost comfortably but I couldn't give a toss if Stoke had 6 or 7 men around Martin for our goal or if they hit the woodwork twice. They were the architects of their own downfall, missing half a dozen golden chances to score. We took our best chance, end of. Onwards and, hopefully, upwards. 

Benarous showed maturity beyond his years in the closing stages. Both he and Scott’s work-rate shone through for me. That sets the standard for all to follow.

Get the **** in. Benarous’ work-rate has been quality tonight. 

7 minutes ago, Lew-T said:

Sadly this is where I am with Zak.

He’s okay in parts but there always seems to be a howler around the corner with him. He’s a determined lad but he really needs to kick on now….

Precisely. He's going to be 25 soon, has decent experience at this level, and seems to have already hit his ceiling. He's a good athlete, but he's also a serial ball-watcher, which I loathe to see in any defender, and switches off way too often for a good centre-back. As someone else said, it'll take more than a pirouette to change my opinion. 

Let's see if he can string together a run of error-free games which doesn't cost us a goal then. He's got a long way to go to convince me he's good enough for this level. 

3 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Really would be a sliding doors moment to wonder what would have happened if he had stayed fit under Holden.

Excellent today, we badly need him to stay fit & play as many games as possible.

All ifs and buts, but don’t forget it was Holden who rushed Williams back and then asked him to play twice in three days — all while freezing out HNM — that saw him break down. Poor management, although he probably acted on poor advice from Rolls.

23 minutes ago, Dan Robin said:

Unproven youngsters are not what we need now IMO.

What and overpaid wasters who’ve seen off LJ and DH are what we need right now? We have little choice.

Makes a mockery of LJ’s busy bees.

1 minute ago, VT05763 said:

There is a decent defensive midfielder in there IMO

I’m not sure how you can say that based on two games in that position, but you’re entitled to your opinion.

My opinion is that he’s part of the problem at this level and needs to be moved on. If we go down, however, that might be the making of him. 

45 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

Vyner is still a young player and should come through this tough period in his career.

 I thought he did well last season despite everything but has just not got going under NP.

 He needs to nail down a position in the team. Clearly right back is not his best position and he seems to have slipped down the order of centrebacks. 
Maybe a position as holding midfielder could work for him. He is athletic and a good build and height.

Sorry, Major, but Vyner will be 25 in six months’ time. He’s had enough games under his belt by now to be approaching his prime. He’s a jack of several trades, master of none. 

6 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Is Vyner injured?

He shouldn't be anywhere near the starting XI if we're seriously trying to avoid relegation. He's the football equivalent of a walking wicket is in cricket. 

I reckon it'll be something like Bentley; Simpson, Kalas, Atkinson, Baker; Semenyo, Williams, Massengo, Pring; Weimann, Martin. Big risk considering five of those have doubts over their match fitness, but I don't see what else he can go with.