Shuddersfield

ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Not good enough by a long way. We butchered two good chances up front and our Rodenless defence looked really fragile at times. We need Bennett's experience in there to guide the youngsters but we allowed Huddersfield far too much latitude in the game and our lack of intensity gave them time and space to do their thing. Poor by us.

I liked some pieces of Palmer's play when he came on and, when he gets more minutes under his belt and develops an understanding with the rest, he should be a decent asset. As for Gyokeres, he was okay but I see no reason whatsoever to select him ahead of Cullen who must fast be getting fed up of the little scraps of games he's being allowed. I know I'm banging on about Cullen but anyone who knows anything about football should see that he's a natural striker. His positioning, the little moves he makes in and around the box will pass some by but he's a lad hungry for goals and he knows how to get them IF he's given a chance....... Cooper MUST start him and pretty damn soon as well.
 
Victoria Swan

Victoria Swan

Key Player
Not an impressive team performance, particularly on defense. However, hardly surprising given how little time they had to work together and the last minute loss of our key defender. Basically we just didn't close them down quickly enough on a number of occasions and that was where we gave away their two goals (and nearly another with the lucky escape from that melee in front of goal). This is actually not a difficult fix with a better understanding that will soon develop between defenders and some concentrated work on the training ground (plus a bit of experience from Ryan Bennett). I'm disappointed but not devastated as there were lots of positive signs from individuals that, with that time on the training ground, augurs well for a season-long challenge for promotion -- we are still fourth in the table despite the loss. Gyokeres did some good hold-up play, Palmer looked very lively when he came on, and Smith was excellent for the first time.
 
Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Garrick was in no man's land most of the time ... supposedly an impact player with his speed but we did little to get him in the game. Palmer showed himself to be a threat .... why did Bristol let me out on loan ... are they really that solid that they can let him go. What's the back story on him? Is it a wage dump or partial wage dump?

Vik looked useful. Players need to figure out how to use him better. The guy from Wolves, haven't learned his name yet, should make a big difference in the center of that 3+2.

Woody took a bit of a bang at the end of the game ... not wishing him ill, but please can we rest him for a game and give Benda another shot.
 
Jackflash

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
Corners ! we had 15, they had 2, of their 2 they capitalised on 1. ....us, we never even came close with 15 attempts.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
We were not good defensively today, but we didn't scored from two (or more?) clear-cut chances either. No exuses. I hope we will stabilise our defence when Bennett and Latibeaudiere are ready, but we have to score from clear-cut chances as well.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
I know that we blew two good chances as Cooper pointed out but so did Huddersfield, which he did NOT mention. Some stats:

POSSESSION: 51-49 SHOTS: 17-10 OT: 6-3 CORNERS: 15-2 FOULS: 18-16 GOALS: 1-2

The overwhelming corner stat in our favour is very frustrating. Time after time we hoisted the ball to the far post and time after time the defenders dealt with it. Where was the variety? Where was the flair to attempt something different to surprise them and disrupt them? Teams are drilled over and over to deal with the stuff that we were sending in - and it's not as if we have players, other than maybe Ayew or Bidwell, who are any good in the air.

We need to think ouside the box more, literally and metaphorically. Do we not practise different types of corners in training? Or free kicks come to that. If not, WHY not? We just do the usual expected things and oppo defenders make the usual expected clearances of our so predictable approach. The players must know this from what's happening in games, so where is their input? Is anyone getting hold of Cooper and the other coaches to demand that we vary our routines? This is where we need strong characters in the dressing room, players who care, who want us to be better.

And, apologies, back now to Cullen. Strikers, for the most part, are born, not made and he is a born striker. He's not particularly quick, not particularly strong, not particularly tricky BUT he exists to score goals and he has that built-in sense of how to score them. He needs to start and not just in the odd game. It will take time for him to adjust to the pace and demands of Championship football, so the sooner he does that the sooner he'll start to get us goals. Okay, if he doesn't produce, so be it but at least we'll know and can plan accordingly. I'm convinced though that, with the right service, he will deliver but we need goals and I think he's a better bet than Gyokeres. That said, the Swede has talent and no doubt will get goals as well but Cullen is OURS and far more represents the future of our club.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
CroJack said:
I don't expect us to score from corner-kicks,
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Exactly! Because we rarely try anything different. We routinely bang the ball deep to the far post and the defence routinely clears it. We should play far more short corners to at least retain possession in a dangerous area but our usual type of corner is usually banged away out of danger. We could try the near post flick-on more often but that requires a precision delivery, which requires a lot of practise, which, seemingly, we don't do looking at the appalling deliveries I see week after week. I want to see some innovation, things that keep defenders guessing and off balance. But I'm not holding my breath because we don't seem to have anyone with the vision to coach it.
 
KVetch

KVetch

Key Player
We signed all of these players with Cullen on the bench. We have to test him. I see 8 current defenders, 6 mids would be 7 of MGW wasn't injured, another 6 forwards. Not including the youth squad players like Oli Cooper, Rushesha, Declan John, Cameron Evans. 20 players means 6 are not getting on the pitch.

CB:
Roberts
Guehi
Cabango
Latibeaudiere
Bennett
Manning
Bidwell
Naughton

Mids:
Smith
Fulton
Grimes
Byers
Palmer
Dhanda

Forwards:
Ayew
Routledge
Garrick
Gyokeres
Lowe
Cullen

How does Cooper sort this out. Shouldn't be losing to Huddersfield 2-1 when there's enough skill in this squad.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
KVetch said:
Shouldn't be losing to Huddersfield 2-1 when there's enough skill in this squad
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Our loss to Huddersfield was due to lack of concentration both defensively and offensively. We allowed Huddersfield players to shoot without closing them down, and we didn't score from a couple of clear-cut chances (Ayew and Lowe). Basic things. Two weeks ago Aston Villa beat Liverpool 7:2, Man United lost 1:6 to Spurs, and three weeks ago Man City lost to Leicester 2:5. Shit happens. Even to the best teams.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
Yankee_Jack said:
We need to pay more attention because we step in shit far too often, especially at home. Our home record is abysmal
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I disagree with you about "stepping in shit far too often". We are actually right now the best performing team in the Championship, despite the loss to Huddersfield. But our home record IS abysmal.

I think the result against Huddersfield has more to do with the changes in the squad. Rodon is gone, Cabango played centrally, and Naughton on the right side of our back three. Naughton is not a centre-back. Up front we missed three big chances (Lowe, Ayew and Palmer).
 
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