25 Sep 2018 12:13:19
Seems to me we have an experienced Goalkeeper who is passing on knowledge to youngsters and has his back four in tune with him. The back four look very solid and are prepared to take the ball forward when needed. Grabban is a reliable striker who can score, make runs and slot in penalties. Our problems if there are any lie in the midfield and who does what where and when. Robinson, Carvalho and Osborn make a good combination on the left. Janko and Cash work well on the right but neither Dias, Goncalves or Guediora seem to link up effectively on that side of the pitch. Colback is an excellent DM in the centre. I'd love to see Yacob and Hatchitidis in action to see what they can offer, so I don't as yet feel the team is complete or operating at top level. Cloughy said you build teams where groups of players know each other so well they operate as units within the side. My guess from watching them V Rotherham is that they are two thirds of the way there. I'd like to see what others think.


1.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 13:13:32
Guediouras has been pond for pound our best midfielder, breaking up that partnership with Colback ain't something i'd be rushing to do personally.

Think your right to diagnose midfield as the issue, but its simply a case of smarter running & quicker passing from the base to break free of teams who stick ten men behind the ball.

If we're looking to learn from Rotherham, i'd start by introducing Lolley/Cash for Dias & spread it with some bona fide wing play. Far too narrow & congested in midfield to get any space Saturday.

Use that squad by all means, but Guedioura looks the only player with a different forward pass in him.

Its that time thing again, players need time to overcome the different issues that come with a clash of styles.

Until then we settle for bagging points whilst looking average.


2.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 16:44:58
Soudani can also play on the wing when fit.


3.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 16:49:22
Guediora is a playmaker, he can see and pick passes. Carvalho is a creative midfielder, he creates chances but also space and acts as a board for one-twos. He’s important for tempo but also for stretching opponents. If Geddy can learn to use him more we will be in a very good position. I think we should also mention Fox who is not afraid to use that wand of his left foot and spread and stretch play.


4.) 25 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 20:53:16
Guedioura has the passing range to unlock defences, I agree that it’s worth seeing the attributes of the two new players. Guedioura looked tired on Saturday but we look less imaginative without him. Cjay is right we played to narrow on Saturday and Dias isn’t as effective as cash with his back to goal. Saturday was a hard game and we’d have lost be 2 or 3 goals in recent seasons. I actually thinking our two midfielders central midfielders are doing s tough job well.


5.) 26 Sep 2018
25 Sep 2018 22:37:59
Long range passing from geddy and sometimes he gets it right sometimes he doesn't.
He still sits deep and then that only leaves the wingers and calvahalo to get ahead, personally think we are usually to deep to cause much of a problem for the opposition.

We'll only win by the odd goal as long as the defence keeps clean sheets,then we'll get away with it just.

We play a lot of long ball from pants,fox and geddy at times and mostly it comes to nothing as a lack of genuine pace is apparent,as it is in midfield.
When lolley plays he gives that bit more pace and direct running that the others don't,but spend most games on the bench.

The striker is often isolated with the midfield 30 yards behind,calvahalo has to get closer to the striker for me to be effective as most of his work is in positions that can't hurt the opposition.
Hopefully this will improve with games together.


6.) 26 Sep 2018
26 Sep 2018 06:42:25
FF, very accurate assessment , we are too deep which puts pressure on guedioura to make long range passes that are hard to execute. He will always have off days where those passes don’t come off.