As we did on Saturday. Unfortunately, didn't look like scoring after they were reduced to 10 men. Cauley looked much better, but (without taking anything away from Frieser who did exceptionally well to score our second, or Simoes for the first) we don't get enough from any of our other strikers if they don't score. But well played lads, you gave it all you'd got.
I think we got a lot more out of our players tonight. It was Frieser battling hard to win possession that won us the throw in, which he took quickly, and we then got the goal from. He also pulled wide and in to space which gave us an out ball first half and was playing on the shoulder of the Stoke backline who didn't fancy it at all first half against him. He helped us build attacks two or three times and was much improved on anything we've seen from him so far. Very tidy and hard working performance and he scored. Unlike on Saturday I was on the edge of my seat hopeful we were going to create that one chance for a goal two or three times. The Oduor bursts in to the box, the Herbie Kane cross to three unmarked players who all left it to each other, Brittain finding space out wide, the deflection that goes in the back of the net against us but not in the net for us, and WIlliams with a couple of unlucky hard and low crosses. Our final ball just isn't quite there but I also think our movement from all our forwards in the box when the action is tight is lacking a little bit.
I think we played well Loko, I think Murray has gotten more out of our players this season than Struber was, but we are still lacking in the final third. I'm not saying anything new here or giving a great insight into the game, everyone knows it, including the players and the manager who are probably working extremely hard on the training ground to try to correct it. I'm disappointed we didn't win, but I'm not really knocking anyone.
Don't think you're knocking anyone mate. I just think we got more out of Frieser than just his goal. He was involved in a lot first half and it was a solid contribution that means Murray doesn't have to think too hard about who starts up front on Saturday.
That's the game I watched too. I'm encouraged, which is more than I could have said after the first 3 games. Real shame we missed a great opportunity to get our first 3 points, both on Saturday and tonight, but both were against sides I think will finish top 10, so I'm pleased to see us compete. I do think we need another striker who offers something different, which could be the difference between grinding out a win in games like this and not. Also enjoyed Kane's performance tonight, he looks to have all the right attributes. Adding James to that midfield should improve our control on games, and hopefully improve the quality of chances we create. I think that will be important when we play weaker sides than Stoke and Bristol.
I agree, Looks like he's not quite up to starting yet, but would have liked to see a cameo appearance last night, instead of the ineffectual Thomas
