Back from the Game

[hortonred]

Went to this expecting the worst.Went to Brum and came home very dejected but thought it was great performance today.Much more like the grit and determination of last season.They ran their hearts out.Had a much more solid look and Ipswich chucked Murphy, McGoldrick , Sears and Pittman at us plus their two highly regarded wingers.Freeman and Ayling were outstanding but everybody did well.For me the only slight disappointment is SC's slavish devotion to Wilbraham.In the second half he moved at the speed of an oil tanker turning. This was not because he didn't work hard he just looked clapped out..But SC took Kodjia off. If we can get that striker in to replace Wilbraham and play with this sort of determination well who knows.

[alexukhc]

The player who scored their last goal, I noticed his contract is up at the end of the season and he's on a season long loan, worth putting in a bid?

[sab]

Sort of agree with HR - i was there today and movement wise AW was a passenger in the last 20 minutes. As captain does he not have a responsibility to tell the manager he should come off?

[22A]

Odd game today I thought. In the first half the sides seemingly took turns to have possession for at least five minutes, but do nothing with it. Reading the programme I noticed Ipswich score most of their goals this season immediately after half time and in the final ten minutes of games. Interestingly, Ipswich concede most goals in the middle of the second half.

What disappointed me with City's performance today was the frequency of passes not being struck firmly enough and then being intercepted.

As for the Ref; it wasn't a dirty game, yet he saw fit to book three City players, but no ne of the home team for similar offences. He also over ruled a linesman and awarded a throw in when the ball had not gone out of play.

As the OP states, the team looked solid today and worked hard.

Final note; it was good of Cole S to come over and applaud the City fans at the end.

[Spoons]

The radio suggested Wilbs was kept on for his height, and potential use at defending set pieces

The radio or as I like to call it radio drizzle!

 

 

 

[hortonred]

The radio suggested Wilbs was kept on for his height, and potential use at defending set pieces

Trouble with that theory is he could hardly move in the last 20 minutes and when he did it was so slow

[AshtonGreat]

Odd game today I thought. In the first half the sides seemingly took turns to have possession for at least five minutes, but do nothing with it. Reading the programme I noticed Ipswich score most of their goals this season immediately after half time and in the final ten minutes of games. Interestingly, Ipswich concede most goals in the middle of the second half.

What disappointed me with City's performance today was the frequency of passes not being struck firmly enough and then being intercepted.

As for the Ref; it wasn't a dirty game, yet he saw fit to book three City players, but no ne of the home team for similar offences. He also over ruled a linesman and awarded a throw in when the ball had not gone out of play.

As the OP states, the team looked solid today and worked hard.

Final note; it was good of Cole S to come over and applaud the City fans at the end.

The team looked solid but still conceded two. For my money, they need to be solider

[robin_unreliant]

Just shows the lack of depth in the squad. We don't have another Wilbs-like player to bring on. Yet neither Gayle or Gray is that so I really have no idea why - if a striker like Wilbs is so essential - we appeared to make no moves to sign a replacement. Still the 'summer of doom' has been done to death on here already.

[Strawberry2157.]

Odd game today I thought. In the first half the sides seemingly took turns to have possession for at least five minutes, but do nothing with it. Reading the programme I noticed Ipswich score most of their goals this season immediately after half time and in the final ten minutes of games. Interestingly, Ipswich concede most goals in the middle of the second half.

What disappointed me with City's performance today was the frequency of passes not being struck firmly enough and then being intercepted.

As for the Ref; it wasn't a dirty game, yet he saw fit to book three City players, but no ne of the home team for similar offences. He also over ruled a linesman and awarded a throw in when the ball had not gone out of play.

As the OP states, the team looked solid today and worked hard.

Final note; it was good of Cole S to come over and applaud the City fans at the end.

[Strawberry2157.]

...

[JoeAman08]

I know Wilbs can help on set pieces but it isn't like we've been spectacular defending those with his help. As far as leaving him on for them, probably the right move but if we are to believe those that were there, he wasn't very helpful last 20 minutes. 

I still want to see him off the bench for the most part. Imagine being up 1 and bringing Wilbs on and he's fresh and can actually help defend. 

[cheshire_red]

Had he taken a knock which affected his mobility?

[exAtyeoMax]

OK here I go...

Ironically we were yesterday but…oh

[Chairman Mao]

Still sticking with Wilbraham? Zzz

[ZiderEyed]

I've said it once and I'll say it again. If we want an aerial presence high up the pitch, with a bit of muscle, and can hold up the ball for JK or KA, Matt Smith is ideal.

[And Its Smith]

I've said it once and I'll say it again. If we want an aerial presence high up the pitch, with a bit of muscle, and can hold up the ball for JK or KA, Matt Smith is ideal.

so is Costa.

[Son of Fred]

Went to this expecting the worst.Went to Brum and came home very dejected but thought it was great performance today.Much more like the grit and determination of last season.They ran their hearts out.Had a much more solid look and Ipswich chucked Murphy, McGoldrick , Sears and Pittman at us plus their two highly regarded wingers.Freeman and Ayling were outstanding but everybody did well.For me the only slight disappointment is SC's slavish devotion to Wilbraham.In the second half he moved at the speed of an oil tanker turning. This was not because he didn't work hard he just looked clapped out..But SC took Kodjia off. If we can get that striker in to replace Wilbraham and play with this sort of determination well who knows.

[Son of Fred]

Think we have only played one team in bottem half so have to make hay against lower sides..been a tough start regardless of other problems.. Still can't get over the spare seat on the bench yesterday..answers on a postcard!!!!

[RedYoshi]

Think we have only played one team in bottem half so have to make hay against lower sides..been a tough start regardless of other problems.. Still can't get over the spare seat on the bench yesterday..answers on a postcard!!!!

We've played three in the bottom half (Preston 22^nd, Brentford 19^th, Leeds 14^th).

The trouble with looking at things in such a way (I often see other teams' positions being mentioned) is that our result against them is not independent of that.

i.e. If we'd won all our games so far, aside from everyone being ludicrously ecstatic, suddenly over half of our games would have been against bottom half of the table sides, and Middlesbrough would have been the only side we'd have played in the top six. Cue probable "keep our feet on the ground" comments from people pointing out just that.

As it is, we've played 3 of the top 6, and so cling on to that as some sort of sign.

When it's this early, and our own result against them can make such a difference, we can't really place much importance on teams' positions. Wait until everyone has played everyone else once, and then we can at least start to make such judgements.

[robin_unreliant]

Think we have only played one team in bottem half so have to make hay against lower sides..been a tough start regardless of other problems.. Still can't get over the spare seat on the bench yesterday..answers on a postcard!!!!

Yes but even the other bottom 3 sides are teams that we would have considered a difficult test last season. We lost at home to PNE and MKD at home wasn't exactly an easy game either. We haven't strengthened that much that they suddenly become easy to beat this season. I think it just shows how much tougher this league is than l1.

[Dr Balls]

At risk of bringing up again the sad reality is that we are weaker than we were last season. If you remember last time we were promoted under Johnson we did bring in a few players that certainly improved things & supplemented the players we already had.

So on that basis it's hardly surprising that we are not doing as well as 2007-8!!

[Guest lou-peters-dive]

Yes but even the other bottom 3 sides are teams that we would have considered a difficult test last season. We lost at home to PNE and MKD at home wasn't exactly an easy game either. We haven't strengthened that much that they suddenly become easy to beat this season. I think it just shows how much tougher this league is than l1.

Big game coming up. Did you see the Football League show last night and hear that girl say we have got to get a result against BRISTOL. (MKD fan)

[Esmond Million's Bung]

Looking at the extended highlights, Little seemed involved a lot, Freeman was buzzing and all of our best stuff either involved Freeman or Pack, it certainly looked committed.

For their first goal, I have to question why Flint was on the goal line and not attacking the ball, their second goal was just one of those things, good play from Ipswich and we were a little light at the back perhaps.

Kodjia took his goal incredibly well

[taxidriver999]

McCarthy agrees with you and has obviously seen us play;

“I think they are a better side than the table suggests,” said McCarthy. “They’re no mugs. They can play and I didn’t think they were as wide open today, The three defenders were far more diligent and weren’t rampaging up the field. They were a far more solid unit today.They’re a handful. They play real open football and make you defend. It’s a point in the end and a good point I think."

If we can stop Ayling bombing up field and stop the wing backs getting caught up field we'll be ok - but its taking a long time for that to happen.

SC reckons 12-15 games before we'll see the players fully adjusted to this level.

 

McCarthy was at the Reading game last Saturday, suppose he thought it would be easy! How wrong he was.

[southvillekiddy]

With the height of our defenders it should be much difficult than it is at present for teams to score goals against us with headers. Keeps happening.

 

[YorkshireSection]

We either have to bring in Robinson behind Kodjia so he run at defenders it in behind them.

0r bring an experienced big man that can do what Wilbs can do.

its cleR at the moment that Wes or Agard are rightly miles behind Kodjia in the pecking order, SC HAS HIS P,AN BUT IS NOW AGAIN lacking personnel.

[Coach]

 

For their first goal, I have to question why Flint was on the goal line and not attacking the ball

I thought Flint initially did well because with the ball sailing way over his head, instead of remaining static he instantly reacted and got in a great defensive position on the goal line. Unfortunately he then decided to try and clear with his right leg when surely using his left would have been more successful.

[Esmond Million's Bung]

He should have been the defender attacking the ball in the first instance IMO.

 

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

Could someone who was at the game on Saturday clarify what our formation was?  There seems to be some uncertainty about it...

[Strawberry2157.]

Could someone who was at the game on Saturday clarify what our formation was?  There seems to be some uncertainty about it...

                                       Fielding

                          Ayling    Flint    Baker

Little                                                            Williams

                                    Pack

                 Freeman           Bryan

                                       Wilbs

                      Kodjia               

[Numero Uno]

McCarthy agrees with you and has obviously seen us play;

“I think they are a better side than the table suggests,” said McCarthy. “They’re no mugs. They can play and I didn’t think they were as wide open today, The three defenders were far more diligent and weren’t rampaging up the field. They were a far more solid unit today.They’re a handful. They play real open football and make you defend. It’s a point in the end and a good point I think."

If we can stop Ayling bombing up field and stop the wing backs getting caught up field we'll be ok - but its taking a long time for that to happen.

SC reckons 12-15 games before we'll see the players fully adjusted to this level.

 

What McCarthy is alluding to is that we got the balance right on Saturday whereas against Reading in the first 20 minutes we were ridiculously gung-ho given the standard we are playing at and rightly got punished. Our away form, in matches where we are not going to be as gung-ho anyway, is good enough and averaging a point a game away from the Gate should see us fine over the season as long as we are average at home. The problem being we are getting it badly wrong at home at the moment and that is where Cotterill needs to strike the right balance.

[xerox6060]

                                       Fielding

                          Ayling    Flint    Baker

Little                                                            Williams

                                    Pack

                 Freeman           Bryan

                                       Wilbs

                      Kodjia               

Yes that was it though didn't notice Wilbs deliberately being a number 10, as for their performances for me  - 

Fielding - solid no issues ground or air

Little - Good to see him back, maraunding up and down the flank never quite knew what to expect but generally solid

Ayling - solid some good late tackles

Baker - Strong in air be interesting to see how he copes with a quickie though

Flint - Dominant and brave, 'disappointing' from our corners when attacking 

Williams - decent defensively but not a wing back , stopped and went sideways too often

Pack - Thought he took over Smith's role well (though Smoth was a miss in my opinion)

Bryan - Started of well lively getting in behind, then faded not a centre player to me won't pick him there v MK

Freeman - grew as game progressed, seemed to lack confidence early doors but then came into his own

Wilbraham - cunning and wily some good links to be fair with kodgy but miminal goal threat

Kodja - A real handful throughout made his own chances and was always looking to get behind getting better and better 

 

A good point against a street wise side, rode our luck at times but looked sharp, agree with 

Cotts we stopped playing at times due to the fear of losing. a confident side could have wrapped it up, as with Ayling to me Williams is no wing back but after a good defensive display won't be surprised if its this defence again v Dons. Good to see Skuse come over afterwards for quite a while for a deserved ovation. ....good support through the smallest turnstyle i've ever seen, too many pies you were in trouble,

[Kid in the Riot]

Totally agree.

Cut out the schoolboy gung-ho stuff and we'll be ok.

And start defending set pieces properly. That's another worry.

[spudski]

And start defending set pieces properly. That's another worry.

You can see the players watching 'their man'....following them....which is good, but you also need to attack the ball as well.

So many defenders these day's are afraid to lose their man for fear of a bollocking... Someone needs to attack the ball instead of all reacting to the player they are marking only. It's been really noticeable this season.