Luxo Jr.

At this rate he'll be on loan to a Premier League newcomer next season. Here's hoping it's us.

2 minutes ago, JoeAman08 said:

Ha!! Should've never said the adrenaline has worn off!

On the contrary, keep saying it. Ye olde Matt Smith effect.

Just now, Super said:

doesn't sound like this formation is working.

How so?

Just now, sh1t_ref_again said:

Not sure would have played 442, may be better to have stared with just JK upfront and bring on TA later

Johnson would have more reasons for the formation than the fact that Abraham's played well in the past week. Reid is normally better from the bench, and crucially only fits into certain formations, which makes him less favourable to stronger midfielders like Brownhill and out and out wingers like O Dowda. 

1 minute ago, sh1t_ref_again said:

Sounds like 1st half v Wigan, too many new players in, think we should have played pack & Reid

Where does Reid play in a 442?

Can't believe some people are already writing Brownhill off after one game in the wrong position.

Just to remind everyone, Brownhill is 3 years younger than Bobby Reid, is definitively a CENTRAL midfielder and really wasn't that bad last week in his first game in the Championship.

16 minutes ago, formerly known as ivan said:

Brownhill was far from impressive last week and the whole time he was on the field the game passed him by. Would feel better if Pack was in the middle alongside O'Neil.

Little at right back also concerning. If Matthews is that unfit makes the decision to let Ayling leave even more of a strange one given the lack of defensive cover.

Brownhill was playing in an attacking position last week, not his natural role. This is where he was meant to play, and though Pack is stronger, I think Brownhill will show his desire for the ball, like a Kante rather than a Matic. 

Also, to those who say we look thin in midfield... Gary O Neill is a strong guy in the tackle.

Magnusson looked shaky first half, confident second half. Brownhill didn't really work in the attacking midfield position. We needed more direct links with Kodjia, who proved exactly why he's not yet worth 10m. O Neill was a great marshal, Pack did well to play the Korey Smith role. O Dowda looks special.

Any blame on Hanley?

It was Danny Graham too. He hasn't scored since the Battle of Zorndorf I think.

1 minute ago, old_eastender said:

Presumably JB will go Left Back - which is risky...

Yeah, must be alien to him...

BREAKING NEWS: Lee Johnson has been sacked, to be replaced by everyone who said he wasn't right for the job while City were losing a game.

Bit of a pisser for him.

1 minute ago, 1960maaan said:

Funny enough , I would be more inclined to play Reid at home rather than away, and I wouldn't have played him against Hull's huge midfield. Same we are limited in options.

I saw him come on against Fulham (away) and make a real difference. He's a strange one. Can be a great impact player, but just seems to lose it when he plays from the start sometimes. It's almost like we have too many small playmakers in the squad - Freeman, Reid, Tomlin.

It's like I've said before: too often our players don't seem know what their job is, or how they're meant to do it. In that horrendous first half against Fulham, Tomlin, Bryan, Freeman and Pack were absolutely all over the place. 

On the plus side, we do have players currently that know exactly what their job is, and they more often than not do it. Korey Smith does his job, our full-backs often do their job well.

Our defence is frequently strong - seems like Baker might have had a mare today but he can be a rock. 

Kodjia does his job. Granted, he could do it better, he could be more selfless, more accurate, but you can't argue with 15 goals.

I think Johnson has had a fairly decent start so far, although I do think we are papering over the cracks somewhat. We're not safe, but I have faith in the players we have - I don't think they're gutless, and after watching us at Fulham it's clear they care. Rotherham will be tough, but it will feel so sweet if we can outwit them.

2 minutes ago, PHILINFRANCE said:

Except Charlton, Fulham, Brentford and Rotherham .

 

The Championship table I'm looking at has only one of those teams in the relegation zone.

1 minute ago, Curr Avon said:

Keep the rational thoughts coming.

Considering the size of space, it is entirely plausible that extraterrestrial life exists, just nowhere near us.

From what I've heard, I can't see Reid keeping his place.

2 minutes ago, Kim_il_sung said:

How about the thought police go **** themselves? I'm not personally going to moan because I don't think today makes any difference to how our season will pan out and we already knew how woefully inadequate we are against the top sides. But If people want to express their frustration after a horrid performance then they have every right to post their thoughts. 

Yes they do. We're also allowed to tell them we think they're silly if they say we're going down.

1 minute ago, cityexile said:

Cough...

Fine - a team 8 points behind us has won. Frankly I'm more worried about Sheffield Utd...

2 minutes ago, spudski said:

That won't happen mate...can see us being very shrewd.

Hope so. I hope we don't pack out our squad with League One players. A few shrewd signings are one thing; buying unproven talent and has-beens is what I'm far more used to.

2 minutes ago, Reddie The Eagle Edwards said:

I didnt say we were safe either, and we arent...

No one is saying we're safe. What we are is 6 points clear of the relegation zone. No one in the relegation zone has won today. Calm down.

My only worry is that after our summer of inactivity, the pendulum will swing the other way and we'll make tons of panic buys. If we can keep the core of our team, and hang on to some of our better performers this season, whilst making a few additions, that could work better. Tame our ambition a bit, be realistic but aspire for OH DAMN IT ROTHERHAM. 

Clearly there are problems - we wouldn't have lost multiple games 4-0 if there weren't.

BUT we have beaten a team 6-0, and done the double over Middlesbrough. That doesn't happen by accident. We have things to solve, but we also have things that we can work to our advantage. 

3 minutes ago, Reddie The Eagle Edwards said:

I think were going down, awful game

Hahaha. I'm sure you said that after we beat Bolton 6-0.

Look at the facts:

We have multiple loan signings playing.

We're playing someone who's been a left back for two or more seasons in central midfield, where he's still adapting.

We're missing Korey Smith.

We have a relatively new manager who's never managed at Championship level before.

The rest of the team are still only playing their first Championship season.

We have a striker still in his first season in English football having to lead the line.

We're playing against strong promotion challengers with former Premier League players.

This is going to happen sometimes.