S25/26 | The Official Match Thread | Birmingham City 1 Swansea City 0 | Att: 27,441 | The EFL Championship | St Andrew’s Stadium

[Dr. Winston]

A game management issue lets us down for the second weekend in a row.

It's far from a trait unique to Sheehan, we've been here many times with managers over the years, even back to Brendan, but I cannot fathom why we try to see games out instead doing the opposite and going on the offensive. We had plenty of bench options and could have been making changes from 60-65 minutes in but waited too long. The momentum shifted and then we were struggling.

Yalcouye should have been on a lot sooner. Arguably so should have been Benson and maybe even Widell (who must be wondering why he bothered coming here). There's nothing to lose by being bold when being timid costs you points anyway.

 

[Swans Jack]

Better Wednesday, but I am more keen to judge him league form. He has zero impact coming on the last two league games.

Agreed with today. He went missing. But alot of players did.

 

[Swans Jack]

A game management issue lets us down for the second weekend in a row.

It's far from a trait unique to Sheehan, we've been here many times with managers over the years, even back to Brendan, but I cannot fathom why we try to see games out instead doing the opposite and going on the offensive. We had plenty of bench options and could have been making changes from 60-65 minutes in but waited too long. The momentum shifted and then we were struggling.

Yalcouye should have been on a lot sooner. Arguably so should have been Benson and maybe even Widell (who must be wondering why he bothered coming here). There's nothing to lose by being bold when being timid costs you points anyway.

Agree with pretty much everything. I think on another day we would of be gone more offensive. But we could of played till 8pm tonight and we still would of lacked any spark. Think it was tired minds and legs.

 

[eteb]

A game management issue lets us down for the second weekend in a row.

It's far from a trait unique to Sheehan, we've been here many times with managers over the years, even back to Brendan, but I cannot fathom why we try to see games out instead doing the opposite and going on the offensive. We had plenty of bench options and could have been making changes from 60-65 minutes in but waited too long. The momentum shifted and then we were struggling.

Yalcouye should have been on a lot sooner. Arguably so should have been Benson and maybe even Widell (who must be wondering why he bothered coming here). There's nothing to lose by being bold when being timid costs you points anyway.

I don't recall Brendan ever setting up shop at half time

 

[Smurph]

I don't recall Brendan ever setting up shop at half time

The one thing that is letting me give Sheehan the benefit of the doubt is this is very early stages of his managerial career.

He's still learning game by game, it's a huge leap from being a coach to head honcho.

 

[Dr. Winston]

I don't recall Brendan ever setting up shop at half time

Yes, because that's what I said.

It was not uncommon for us to start slowing up from about the 60th minute onwards and play things cagey. Mostly we got away with it, sometimes we didn't.

Unless you're 3-0 up and cruising then no matter who the manager is there's no sense in it for me.

 

[Manselton Jack]

I agree with the majority on here that Sheehan was definitely late with his subs.
Galbraith has been excellent but was flagging, Yalcouye should have come on earlier.
Getting the balance of the midfield 3 right is the main issue we have I feel.
A bit like the Boro game, if we'd come away with a point I'd have been happy but we couldn't grind it out again, which is a concern.
I'm still feeling positive for the season ahead though.

 

[J_B]

I’m far from convinced that we were tired at this stage of the season. We made 7(seven) changes in the starting lineup from Wednesday too.

 

[westside]

Bring on Eom and concede.
Bring on Eom and concede.

 

[tardylum]

Both strikers are living off scraps.

very true. Considering the big financial commitment they have made to bring Idah in, he is not a great fit for the coach. It feels like Sheehan could have done with more of an all rounder who contributes in areas other than the box.

 

[monmouth]

I’m far from convinced that we were tired at this stage of the season. We made 7(seven) changes in the starting lineup from Wednesday too.

That today was tactical. Second half stepped back ten yards and just hoofed the ball back to them in a total funk. Their aggression and confidence consequently increased and they monstered us. Whether it was planned tactics or just what can happen to a team I don’t know. We are not going to win many games with so few chances though, and we’ll have a lot of 1-0 defeats. Sheehan really has to start understanding that. We’ve created next to nothing all season, including Wednesday’s extravaganza.

I still think we are very close. Rodgers didn’t really find the best balance until he trusted Dobbie at 10. This feels a bit similar.

 

[Dr. Winston]

I still think we are very close. Rodgers didn’t really find the best balance until he trusted Dobbie at 10. This feels a bit similar.

Yep. I'm definitely getting similar vibes. The component parts are there but they haven't quite clicked yet and the coach could maybe do with a bit more faith in some elements of it.

People forget that we lost four out of our first eight league games that season.

 

[Swans Jack]

I’m far from convinced that we were tired at this stage of the season. We made 7(seven) changes in the starting lineup from Wednesday too.

It wasn't tired for the season it's that we went to 97th minute against a high energy team in the Premier league and with the win. Emotions was high. Had just over 48 +hours to recover. Key, Franco, Galbraith, Burgess. The rest I agree. With you. But Galbraith not on it, really effected us.

 

[Smurph]

It wasn't tired for the season it's that we went to 97th minute against a high energy team in the Premier league and with the win. Emotions was high. Had just over 48 +hours to recover. Key, Franco, Galbraith, Burgess. The rest I agree. With you. But Galbraith not on it, really effected us.

The Hull game was just after the international break and todays game was straight after a very tough game against Forest on Wednesday, this surely has had some impact on the players and our preparation.

We now have a full week to rest and prepare for the visit of Millwall.

 

[cmajack]

A game management issue lets us down for the second weekend in a row.

It's far from a trait unique to Sheehan, we've been here many times with managers over the years, even back to Brendan, but I cannot fathom why we try to see games out instead doing the opposite and going on the offensive. We had plenty of bench options and could have been making changes from 60-65 minutes in but waited too long. The momentum shifted and then we were struggling.

Yalcouye should have been on a lot sooner. Arguably so should have been Benson and maybe even Widell (who must be wondering why he bothered coming here). There's nothing to lose by being bold when being timid costs you points anyway.

This is my gripe with Sheehan, i don't dislike him as a person, but he's far too cautious for my liking. We have had a stuttering start to the season, poor at Middlesbrough, average performances against Watford and Hull at home, and a non existent 2nd half today. The subs today were extremely poor and that's down to the manager, some are critical of our defence but to me it's at the other end of the pitch we have our problems. We create very little going forward and our strikers are feeding off scraps. I know we need to try and give the new players time, but the likes of Benson , Widell and Yalcouye are not getting that sitting on the bench today when realistically they should have been on much earlier. I hope Sheehan proves me wrong and we get more consistency in our results because i don't think these owners have brought all this talent to the club to be languishing in mid table.