Alan Sheehan.

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

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.

I agree with this. If we’re continuing to use Stamenic, Yalcouye and Galbraith the strength of the latter 2 seems to be driving from midfield with the ball and then picking a pass/working with the front 3. To do that would we need to sit deeper and hit on the break - risks isolating Vipotnik in particular though.

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere I’d prefer us to pivot and use a proper 10 (especially at home) to see if that enables us to create more.

Going to be an interesting couple of months to see how it develops.

 

[Ringwood]

For me.. the positives are we are tighter defensively on the whole and look less likely to concede than last season under LW. The tempo is slightly higher and getting the ball forward earlier avoiding the press.

We have stronger squad with more depth and been in every game until the final whistle battling the fine margins.

The negatives to address - We are getting bullied in midfield no doubt which limits our control and creativity with no contribution yet with goals.

AS needs to get the balance of the team which appears to be a missing 10 although Vip is doing his best put himself about as a lone striker.

 

[Swanjaxs]

Most of our momentum down the right breaks up because of Key's lack of confidence to hit the line and put a cross over. Let's see what young Parker can do against Blackburn.

 

[sit_down_jack]

Most of our momentum down the right breaks up because of Key's lack of confidence to hit the line and put a cross over. Let's see what young Parker can do against Blackburn.

Key and Ronald definitely lack understanding and that is strange considering they’ve been playing on the same side together for enough time now. Although not perfect or consistent yet, Inoussa and Tymon seem to be a better potential partnership.

 

[Swansea93]

Key and Ronald definitely lack understanding and that is strange considering they’ve been playing on the same side together for enough time now. Although not perfect or consistent yet, Inoussa and Tymon seem to be a better potential partnership.

They’re no Rangel/Dyer that’s for sure

 

[JackSomething]

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.

Funnily enough in our last Championship promotion season we had 12 points after 8 games and sat 9th in the table. If we win at Blackburn, we'd have 12 points after 8 games and probably be higher than 9th. We'd probably have 12 points now (as Brendan's team did after 7 games), if the referee or linesman just did their effing job yesterday.

The side has had huge turnover over the summer and it's clear the understanding between players, the partnerships, are not there yet. So many times people are putting their foot on the ball and looking where players are rather than playing a first time pass knowing where they'll be in different situations. When we do manage to make those instinctive quick passes, we look dangerous. Someone pointed out Inoussa and Tymon, they are definitely ahead of other partnerships on the pitch and a good example of what I'm talking about.

I agree with others on Ronald and Key having no understanding out there, despite both having been at the club for a while. Seems mad to suggest dropping Ronald given he is one of only two proven goal scorers we have, but I don't think swapping Key for Parker is going to make a huge difference, so maybe we give Benson a run.

I thought there were some encouraging moments yesterday and people who think that game was boring to watch are off their rockers, or simply pushing an agenda (it's no surprise that most posters pushing that line have been doing so since the very start of the season). There are plenty of things to improve on, we can't seem to get a second goal when on top, while the timing of goals we are conceding is also concerning. Overall, I think we're a few tweaks away from being a potentially very good team.

TLDR: We'll be fine this season IMO and some of our 'fans' are complete drama queens.

 

[tardylum]

Yalcouye and Galbraith the strength of the latter 2 seems to be driving from midfield with the ball and then picking a pass/working with the front 3.

I love Galbraith and think he can be creative for us from deeper areas. On Yalcouye, is it only me who does not see this part of his game at all yet? I do not really see him as a creative passer or somebody who can feed the front 3. He seems more of an energy guy, not too different to France, but probably plays in higher areas of the pitch.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

I love Galbraith and think he can be creative for us from deeper areas. On Yalcouye, is it only me who does not see this part of his game at all yet? I do not really see him as a creative passer or somebody who can feed the front 3. He seems more of an energy guy, not too different to France, but probably plays in higher areas of the pitch.

Wouldn’t say his strength is passing, but (in a very small sample size so far) he seems keen to run with the ball and at times yesterday linked up well with Tymon & Inoussa.

The more space in front of him and Galbraith I think the better they’d be…picking the ball up in the middle 3rd and driving forward as opposed to winning it back high up in the final 3rd.