Man of the match & Scores - Bristol (A)

[frastheowl]

28 minutes ago, Beholder said:

Good review but unessesarily harsh on Palmer. 

As I've said before on here, I think you will find mistakes in any player if you look for them. 

And it seems Palmer is subjected to a higher level of scrutiny to the rest. 

 

He does alot of good and is pretty consistent in my opinion. 

 

Fair enough, but it was that sort of utter incompetence and unforced error that contributes to our inability to keep clean sheets and see games through. 

 

And we were fortunate that it didn’t cost us further. 

 

He frustrates me. He’s done well at times this season, but that was a typical Palmer display. 

 

Its the one position I’d look to strengthen in January, if were given the opportunity to. 

[Quist]

I think we are developing a style off play for away games and it works. The 3 at the back and tight formation in midfield stifles opposition and we hit them on the counter and gradually take control of game. it has worked at Villa and Bristol and think it will work elsewhere. 

 

In home games we have to attack from the whistle and so think set up of team has to be different, against very good sides who come at you the tactics employed in recent games can work but against the mediocre who come for a point need to go at them from off to stand a chance of breaking them down.

[Hitcat]

Hector for me. Tough match to give individual ratings. Real Jekyll and Hyde performance. 

[Beholder]

3 hours ago, frastheowl said:

 

Fair enough, but it was that sort of utter incompetence and unforced error that contributes to our inability to keep clean sheets and see games through. 

 

And we were fortunate that it didn’t cost us further. 

 

He frustrates me. He’s done well at times this season, but that was a typical Palmer display. 

 

Its the one position I’d look to strengthen in January, if were given the opportunity to. 

Palmer won the ball and then shielded it but lost it when a second attacker got involved.

 

Only in retrospect was it clear the correct choice was to then knock it out for a throw.

 

Probably RB is the area i would also improve in January, but if we are still embargoed, I think Palmer is more than adequate and I would also consider giving him a new contract. 

[frastheowl]

4 hours ago, Beholder said:

Palmer won the ball and then shielded it but lost it when a second attacker got involved.

 

Only in retrospect was it clear the correct choice was to then knock it out for a throw.

 

Probably RB is the area i would also improve in January, but if we are still embargoed, I think Palmer is more than adequate and I would also consider giving him a new contract. 

 

We’ll agree to disagree on this point! 

[Drewswfc]

Just got back from the cider city and feeling pretty ropey but also pretty up beat. Excellent second half yesterday. Both loan signings  looked quality, but the main thing is we look like a side who've got plenty of improvement left in them when they really click. Onwards and upwards. 

 

[owlandished]

23 hours ago, frastheowl said:

 

Dawson - 7 - Most important moment of the game was Dawson's fantastic save to deny Diedhiou in the 1st half. That goes in, the complex of the game is totally different. That said, I still think he looks short of confidence (no surprise, considering the level of vitriol from some sections of the supporters) when coming and dealing with crosses. 

 

Palmer - 5 - Utter incompetence in the build up to the penalty. Pratting about on the touchline, letting a harmless situation becomes a major issue. Has to cut these totally unforced errors out of his game. Angered me so much watching that phase of play develop.

 

Lees - 7 - Another steady display, and looks better in having a proper centre half at the side of him. 

 

Hector - 9 - Man of the Match - Absolute colossus. Dominated both aerially and in the tackle. Won everything in the air, and reads the game so well. It's that type of performance we've missed over the past 18 months.

 

Pudil - 7 - Did well. He and Thorniley kept Bristol's right hand side relatively quiet, despite the threat of Hunt and Brownhill.

 

Thorniley - 6 - Defended well, and looked strong in the tackle once again. Just lacked a threat going forward from left wing back. 

 

Onomah - 7 - Another strong, physical display. Gave a softish penalty away (but I've already made it crystal clear where the blame lies for that!), but showed good legs to carry us up the pitch on occasions, and in the 2nd half, used the ball very well in tight situations. Reminds me of a slightly more technical Antonio. 

 

Bannan - 8 - Once again, everything that made us tick, came through him. His vision and constant wish to play the ball forward is a real joy to watch. Chalk and cheese to the safe, sideways passing we were use to see him doing in Carlos' system.

 

Reach - 6 - Struggled to impact the game greatly today, and when he did, his touch often let him down. Still managed to find some nice positions, and nearly scored another long range effort. 

 

Penney - 6 - Interesting choice playing Penney as an advanced midfielder. Not sure we saw the best out of him. When moved to left wing back, looked strong and was a constant option out wide. Always seems to end the game strong. 

 

Fletcher - N/A -

 

Joao - 7 - Up until him scoring the two goals...he was on a 5 out of 10. He was utterly hopeless. Couldn't look after the ball, struggled to stay on his feet, won nothing in the air. And then, he just just what Joao does...keeps plugging away, and produced a bit of quality out of nothing. That's him...unpredictable. From the sublime to the ridiculous. Still a great option to have. 

 

Forestieri - 7 - Luhukay was, in my opinion, unfairly, criticised for his substitutions on Wednesday. Well, bring Forestieri on for Thorniley was an inspired change. Positive, and allowed Forestieri to really stretch Bristol's tiring back line. Worked very hard, and performed a great job on the left wing late on.

 

Overall... it was a slow, sluggish start...and I worried that Luhukay had set us up that way. But listening to his interview afterwards, he clearly wasn't happy. From 25 minutes onwards, we started to dominate the midfield, look after the ball and control things, and we maintained that until the penalty. On the whole, it was a very assured away performance...but yet again, we're reliant on inspired goalkeeping and a bit of luck (Bristol hit the woodwork at 0-0) to keep us in games. We need to show the level of control for 90 minutes. We'll continue to struggle to keep clean sheets, while ever we continue to have periods in the game where we lose control of the game. 

 

That said, we created 3 or 4 really good chances ourselves, and took advantage of a poor side lacking confidence. 6th in the league, and I don't think we've got out of 2nd gear for much more than a couple of halves. Get the clean sheet issue sorted...and you just never know. 

 

 

Good review. Thanks. Although I realise if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle (or maybe not, in these days/times) I wonder how we would have faired had Forestieri started in place of Thorniley. City certainly had the chance to be 3-0 up within the first 30 mins, had it not been for Dawson, Lees and the post. But then, surely Diedhiou handled before having his shot saved?

Edited October 8, 2018 by owlandished

[pachyderm]

On 07/10/2018 at 09:57, trumbullowl said:

Lucas Joao for me. 

 

When he scores one he scores more!

Ditto