Palmer.

Extinguished any doubts I had as to his ability at this level. I thought he was outstanding. Well played young man. Keep that up and you have a very bright future.

On another note. I have just watched quest and for me The goal IS definitely offside. But from my view in the ground on the night I thought he was well on. (Middle East upper)
Sadly, Win some, lose some. it doesn’t alter things.

 

What do you reckon to him and Mowatt constantly hook kicking the ball over their shoulder into space when Woodrow is free?

 

Yeah, it was offside no doubt, but as you say it's done with now.

And I agree about Palmer, I think sometimes he does show a bit of inexperience when the pressure is on but overall he's be one of the standout players.

 

I think it's just what they've had hammered into them, it's probably like muscle memory now, they don't look for who's free they just automatically knock it into space without even thinking.

 

Were you viewing from Iran?

 

Laura said after it went in, "that looked offside". I said, "give over". She was right though. I missed the handball and she called that too.

 

Romaldinho played a blinder the other night and will go one day for serious wonga. He goes unnoticed a lot of the time and makes the job of the flair players easier. Coming from Man City he had a good background even before joining us. Arguably he's the unsung hero of this season. Of all our regular starters he probably gets praised the least.

 

He's steady with a good touch. I just hope somebody apart from Morris steps up and does something spontaneous (in the attacking third) in the second leg. It might take a bit of guile from either Mowatt or Palmer. I know they have to follow instruction and stick to a game plan but we might need a touch of class from midfield which we know they possess.

 

I think what he lacks is pace but he's not on his own it's what we lack as a team. On monday we had several chances to break on Swansea but other than when Dike broke we couldn't capitalize. I fear that's what will hold Styles back from been a really top player.

 

Can't knock our current midfield for effort and tenacity but we are short of quality in the middle of the park

 

I'm not sure our midfield are especially allowed to show a great deal of quality, not in possession anyway. Head tennis and overheard hooks are held in higher regard. They just don't have the ball long enough to display much with it. Mowatt has quality, Matty James had quality. Styles has quality. Palmer looks like he may have it too. But we rarely show it unless its wrapped around a set piece or a speculative shot.

 

Exactly, the lack of creativity is an issue. It's no coincidence that the more successful players in our forward line are the big, physical type. Woodrow has become abit of a passenger in this current team but that isn't because he's a bad player.

 

Palmer is smooth as silk classy with his passing and all round play - makes it look effortless and just needs a little more composure in front of goal which will come with more experience, Big things for him if he can keep improving and stay injury free.

 

Romaldinho - love it.

 

Looking forward to seeing him in person. Really difficult to see the full picture on the tv.

 

I don't have a downer, it just is what it is.

The players do have quality. They just aren't being allowed to show it. Mowatt, Styles, Woodrow, Morris, Sibbick all have ability and can pass it well. Matty James has unbelievable quality, yet even he was having to hoof it forward and not let the ball touch the ground. It's obviously coached habits as part of this strategy and ethos.

And we do it all over the pitch. Mowatt rarely takes a touch to control it. There was a ball to Dike where he had loads of time high up in Swanseas half. He just lobbed it forward and into touch.

You've seen more games than me, but I've not yet seen us play brilliant football. Insanely high octane pressure to death football, and thats a skill in itself. Thats impressive for what it is in regards of fitness, but it would never fall into the class of brilliant because it has no artistry or creativity to it.

Huddersfield was as good as I've seen. And I didn't think that came close to the realm of brilliant. But we all have different beliefs of what brilliant is or isn't.

 

The one in the first half where Palmer shot instead of playing Woodrow in on goal p1ssed me off. It was a "get rid" moment.

 

How many times last season did we hear about players showing their quality and having nothing to show for it with the overall result? How many times we heard the 'Barnsley were the best team we've played all season', we just couldnt finish. I don't agree our players havent been allowed to show their quality, it's been quite the opposite. But rather than the tactics of Silky Struber with his final day (minute!) Great Escape, we have the Ismael hybrid hoofers, a bit of silk, a lot of hoof, and a dogged, never-say-die determinism that may not be pretty but gets results. I know which scenario I'd rather have.