Our problems run deeper than we thought.....

Seven frequent first team players in that U23 side and we were very, very poor. The same failings as the first team. Aimless long balls and poor chancy passing. No real threat up front. Thiam looked off the pace and had to be brought off before he incurred a red card after a spat with the Everton No 2. Potts ambled through the game and Mallan was anonymous. Hedges made little impact and squandered an opportunity to put Knasmullner through. The latter looks fit and was tidy enough, but on this showing didn't look any great advance on what we've got. Jackson and Pearson didn't do too badly but still allowed the Everton captain the space to break through and fire a winner. Our chances now look to rest solely on McBurnie. But the weather was nithering at Oakwell this afternoon and our prospects look even bleaker after Saturday and today.

 

Opinions eh, somebody posted elsewhere that they thought Mallan ‘edged’ MOM.

 

None of this is news. The recruitment in the summer was woeful

 

Are you available for kids parties?

 

Believe me, the bar wasn't set high. The overall MOTM could only have been an Everton player, but they weren't even that impressive in all honesty. You expect some of those players we fielded to shine at that level - but they didn't. Mason Holgate can seldom have had an easier hour on a football pitch. Mallan may have been our best player but we were so ordinary it's of little interest. They all ought to be made to watch the video of McBurnie's performance from Saturday. That's what we should be about.

 

I thought he was poor, even Potts had a better game & he was far from impressive. One decent free kick but even his corners were poor

 

Half the problem is that players couldn't give a toss about playing for the U23's in an empty ground on a cold Monday in February. Once they get it into their heads that this is probably the only way to force their way into the first team then the new man will have something to work with.