Alan Sheehan.

[Andrew - North Hill]

It's September. We're 13th after 7 games, bang mid table. We've completely overhauled the squad in summer. There's another two international breaks coming up before the season really settles down. All those getting their knickers in a twist, get a grip. I'm not saying it's not frustrating, but we're doing ok. This is much, much better than MartinWillyball. Keep the faith.

 

[IsraJack]

Regarding Sheehan’s ability, the jurors are still out.. for me there is one small issue: he is too nice, not “bad” enough. After the second penalty not given (Even after the first) I would have expect him to behave a little more like Jose M. even with the possibility of getting a yellow card or even red. He should try to influence the referee - god knows all the more experienced managers are doing.

(Cabango was too nice too but it’s for another discussion)

 

[sit_down_jack]

It's September. We're 13th after 7 games, bang mid table. We've completely overhauled the squad in summer. There's another two international breaks coming up before the season really settles down. All those getting their knickers in a twist, get a grip. I'm not saying it's not frustrating, but we're doing ok. This is much, much better than MartinWillyball. Keep the faith.

I agree with this in the main. Although it is frustrating, it is still very early and all the new players need the time to bed in. What concerns me is more tactical, the way we’ve set up our midfield in almost every game this season is at odds with the players on the pitch in my opinion. We are so exposed on the counter and we push everybody wide. There is hardly any play down the middle from us in games and next to no creativity. The new players will adjust but I don’t think we’re going to shift from the current game plan and that’s what worries me.

 

[magicdaps10]

It's September. We're 13th after 7 games, bang mid table. We've completely overhauled the squad in summer. There's another two international breaks coming up before the season really settles down. All those getting their knickers in a twist, get a grip. I'm not saying it's not frustrating, but we're doing ok. This is much, much better than MartinWillyball. Keep the faith.

Last year after 7 games, we were on 11 points.
9 goals
5 conceded.

Just a comparison compared to last season's start.
I don't think we will have the drop like we did under Williams, squad is stronger.

 

[magicdaps10]

Regarding Sheehan’s ability, the jurors are still out.. for me there is one small issue: he is too nice, not “bad” enough. After the second penalty not given (Even after the first) I would have expect him to behave a little more like Jose M. even with the possibility of getting a yellow card or even red. He should try to influence the referee - god knows all the more experienced managers are doing.

(Cabango was too nice too but it’s for another discussion)

Bench were going mental with the pull on Vipotnik.

I missed the 2nd penalty call, was it the handball call?
I didn't see anything in that at the time and seem no replays.

 

[Malaga]

Bench were going mental with the pull on Vipotnik.

I missed the 2nd penalty call, was it the handball call?
I didn't see anything in that at the time and seem no replays.

Think it was a push on Stamenic

 

[CommonCents]

Bench were going mental with the pull on Vipotnik.

I missed the 2nd penalty call, was it the handball call?
I didn't see anything in that at the time and seem no replays.

Was another 2 hand shove in the back. Not as clear a pen as the first one but could have been given.

We have to remember also that we were given the toughest opening 9 fixtures out of anyone and we are still in that set of fixtures.

Championship Fixtures: Who Has the Toughest Start to 2025-26? | Opta Analyst

The 2025-26 Championship fixtures are out, so we analysed which teams have the easiest and toughest starts to the new EFL season.

theanalyst.com

 

[Colin-swansea]

For whatever reason it appears we have become a soft touch in defence as the clock winds down to the end of the first half and full time. Where has our discipline gone, our hard nosed defenders, our professionalism in setting up to defend set pieces.

Could Larry have come off his line to punch the ball away at the far post that led to the equaliser.

For me, as much quality as we appear to have in midfield we are continually losing the ball in 50-50 challenges and while it is debateable if Benda had gathered the ball for the disallowed goal the Millwall keeper wasn't really tested.

Our build-up play continues to be ponderous, predictable while the alternate long ball from Burgess continues to be gathered up by our opponents and pressure placed back on our midfield and defenders.

It might seem cruel to omit our top goalscorer Vipotnik, its vital that our most expensive outlay from the August window - Idah - starts a game. Either that, or we start games with both Vip and Idah and perhaps start with a 442 formation.

Our stats show that one of our consistent players for assists over the last two seasons -Tymon - very rarely gets over the halfway line while Inoussa, as dangerous as he is turning / beating his opponent, his final ball or finishing needs improving.

 

[CommonCents]

if Russell Martin is the manager people would be purring over the team.

2nd in the possession category, 2nd in the passes category and 3 points behind 4th. 3 points which we should’ve had if the ref didn’t botch the last 2 major decisions for us like a dikhead!!

Both Sheehan and Idah have a portion of the fan base with their minds already made up and want them to fail or at least put negative spins on things when we don’t win.

 

[Swansea93]

Sheehans done a great job, but we can’t be reliant on decisions from the officials we should be creating and finishing more opportunities.

 

[Smurph]

if Russell Martin is the manager people would be purring over the team.

2nd in the possession category, 2nd in the passes category and 3 points behind 4th. 3 points which we should’ve had if the ref didn’t botch the last 2 major decisions for us like a dikhead!!

Both Sheehan and Idah have a portion of the fan base with their minds already made up and want them to fail or at least put negative spins on things when we don’t win.

Thankfully it is only a minority of the fanbase. The rest understand this team and manager is at a very early stage of it's development.

I wonder how many of those anti Sheehan are actually Martin acolytes?

 

[Baron Goblet]

Not a bad start at all to a full season with a refreshed squad and some talented signings. There should be enough in this squad to stick with the pace of the league and allow for some rotation. Sheehan has been quite fortunate with the signings. Has a way to go to get the best out of the team and probably should be sticking his neck out more with men in black's calls.

 

[sit_down_jack]

For whatever reason it appears we have become a soft touch in defence as the clock winds down to the end of the first half and full time. Where has our discipline gone, our hard nosed defenders, our professionalism in setting up to defend set pieces.

Could Larry have come off his line to punch the ball away at the far post that led to the equaliser.

For me, as much quality as we appear to have in midfield we are continually losing the ball in 50-50 challenges and while it is debateable if Benda had gathered the ball for the disallowed goal the Millwall keeper wasn't really tested.

Our build-up play continues to be ponderous, predictable while the alternate long ball from Burgess continues to be gathered up by our opponents and pressure placed back on our midfield and defenders.

It might seem cruel to omit our top goalscorer Vipotnik, its vital that our most expensive outlay from the August window - Idah - starts a game. Either that, or we start games with both Vip and Idah and perhaps start with a 442 formation.

Our stats show that one of our consistent players for assists over the last two seasons -Tymon - very rarely gets over the halfway line while Inoussa, as dangerous as he is turning / beating his opponent, his final ball or finishing needs improving.

The 50-50s in midfield I believe are down to our 8s not being suited to a pressing game. Winning the ball high up was what defined us last season with O’Brien and Franco chasing the ball constantly. I think we’re going to have to play a bit differently with Galbraith and Yalcouye. They seem better on the ball than they are ball winners to me.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Was another 2 hand shove in the back. Not as clear a pen as the first one but could have been given.

We have to remember also that we were given the toughest opening 9 fixtures out of anyone and we are still in that set of fixtures.

Championship Fixtures: Who Has the Toughest Start to 2025-26? | Opta Analyst

The 2025-26 Championship fixtures are out, so we analysed which teams have the easiest and toughest starts to the new EFL season.

theanalyst.com

The difficulty of fixtures is really hard to judge - especially if done prior to the season/before the window closes. In those first 9 we have 5 at home, which with our record should be a benefit.

Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn & Hull all likely to be in the bottom 8. We’ve also played Sheffield United at the best time as they’re likely to be much better from here on. A couple of mid table sides and a few that’ll be in and around the top 6.

I guess it’s just semantics anyway, we’ve got to play everyone twice and will be judged on results over 46 games.

 

[CommonCents]

The difficulty of fixtures is really hard to judge - especially if done prior to the season/before the window closes. In those first 9 we have 5 at home, which with our record should be a benefit.

Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn & Hull all likely to be in the bottom 8. We’ve also played Sheffield United at the best time as they’re likely to be much better from here on. A couple of mid table sides and a few that’ll be in and around the top 6.

I guess it’s just semantics anyway, we’ve got to play everyone twice and will be judged on results over 46 games.

Yes fair point