The new lads at the back didn't look short on ability yesterday but it is clearly going to take time for them to build partnerships. Fulham yesterday played Knockaert, Mitrovich and Cavaliero up front and a similar line-up on Saturday will be a big test for our defence. Looking at the August fixtures, it seems that the Charlton and Luton home games may be our best chance of points in the first month. I would be optimistic that we can improve as they get more game time together.
sibbick didnt look comfy but heyho it could have just been a blip, bambo no5 looked good, but i hate 'keepers that think they're ronaldo dont like it when they faff about, either big hump up field or played sharpish into space
you know what glo you're right, i was sat watching and thinking yesterday who he reminded me of and i couldnt put my finger on it
Sibbick should defo not be ahead of Cavare - he may well turn in to a cracking player, but he's a lot of learning to do and looked uncomfortable yesterday . The other lads at the back may have potential, but to knit together will take time and we'll pay the penalty for moving on both Pinnock and Lindsay in terms of goals conceded. If - which wasn't possible - we'd kept last year's team I'd be much more confident. But suspect with so many changes we'll be in or near the relegation zone by Christmas. Best treat things until then as a learning curve.
The good thing is that all our players look comfortable on the ball. But playing short passes to each other and the goalkeeper in our final third achieves nothing when all their front players are sitting on us. You have to go long and pick up the pieces. Or at least vary it. Make them play through us and score a good goal, rather than us making an error.
It’s really interesting to see other people’s opinions after a game. I’ve seen people suggest Sibbick has lots of potential and just had an off day and that Bambo was the best on show. I’ve watched a fair bit of the coverage on the streams and was there yesterday. To me Sibbick is significantly below Cavare and Championship quality. Yesterday wasn’t any different to any of the other games he’s played in. He struggles positionally and doesn’t get tight so will get picked off with the ball in between himself and the centre half, as has happened on numerous occasions in pre season I think Bambo has the physicality to be decent but he worries me with the ball at his feet. He’s clumsy and does remind me massively of Mvoto. Mads seems to be ok, he looks steady more than anything and both of the centre halves although huge don’t seem dominating in the air and positionally were pulled apart a few times yesterday. Based on what I’ve seen so far both are a downgrade on Lindsay and Pinnock. The back 4 worry the fcukk out of me at the moment. I know it’s early and they can improve, but there needs to be significant improvement for us to not have to score 3 to win a game.
Been looking at a piece in today's Sunday Mirror " Countdown to the Championship, League One and Two." For promotion to the Premiership our odds are shown as 25/1. The overall verdict is " Excellent recruitment in the past and very active again. No pushovers." In the main body of the article, Gary Rowett tips Leeds, Fulham and Cardiff to be promoted. Us (25/1 ), Charlton (22/1) and Millwall ( 18/1) have the longest odds for promotion so I don't know if from that, you could assume that we are fancied for the drop.?
We’ve pretty much got an entirely new defence - in a higher league - so you can guarantee it ‘will take time’. Aside from the first match the fixture computer looks as if it’s been generous to us for the first couple of months or so. We’ll have a good idea of how the season will pan out by the end of October.
Patience Required? or Centre half with Championship experience, left back and defensive midfielder Required? I reckon we'll do better if the second question is addressed. I'm not sure Patience is going to keep the goals out. Edit I'm not saying any of the players we've brought in are crap, far too early to tell. I'm saying the only defensive midfielder we have is injured, that it's way too big an ask for a brand new defence and keeper to form a cohesive unit straight from the off when they have no experience of the league they're playing in, and that while we have a good prospect at left back, he's young and doesn't look ready yet, while Pinnillos is a good player but isn't fast enough for a full back position in this league. Patience, if you can summon it should we concede a lot of goals and lose a lot of games (you won't need patience if we don't) will probably make you feel better, two or three more key signings will probably keep us in this division, maybe comfortably and that's the goal for everyone.
You can see it. I can see it but more importantly the board haven't as yet or maybe they're keeping us in suspense. It's exciting. However, the window is still open.
