How did Lalkovic play tonight?

Yeah, I'd agree with all of that. That's another criticism Smith's side have faced, that we're not clinical and try to walk the ball in. It's definitely cost us wins in the past when we should have killed teams off after one goal.

Our sub keeper Macgillivray made a couple of great saves at important times so it could have been a lot different. You're obviously a side low on confidence with passes going out of play etc, but a couple of wins on the bounce changes all of that.

It's funny you mention Saywers our No.10. He's running the show against most teams. Look at the youtube clip of him against Chelsea if you search for Romaine Sawyers. However he got labelled lazy by many fans who wanted him out last season. It was clear he was head and shoulders above any other player in terms of talent but the other players weren't on his wavelength. He's got more options in front of him now so can play his natural game picking passes, and has certainly upped his workrate.

We won't keep him, we know that, but we might get a couple of million for him when we got him for nowt. Job done. Like with Deeney, Grigg, Jamie Paterson etc. And that's what Smith has been slowly building over time, and Johnson can do too.

 

Surely you mean Pearson, not Scowen?

 

I think you've mistakenly typed Scowen instead of Crowley. Either that or you're suggesting Lalkovic is a better player than Scowen, in which case I think you've had more than enough crack for a Wednesday afternoon.

 

Lalkovic played well and scored

As others have said, he knew his role and what was expected. And he took his chance, even though it was gifted.

We replaced him with the likes of Wilkinson. I have slagged him off previously and after last nights cameo don't feel guilty in doing so. Put it this way, I'd have rather brought Lalkovic off the bench than Wilko, any day of the week.

To compare Lalkovic to our other forward options:
Winnall - I agree with the other post about him being a striker / box-man / poacher / finisher. Currently looks lost in whatever position it is that we have tried to invent for him, and form and body language suffering as a result. He had a pop at LJ for the 2nd game on the trot during play.
M Smith - felt a bit sorry for him; looked rusty but what can you expect after warming the bench for 6 weeks. Put himself about and a couple of decent touches.
Wilkinson - see above.
Jackson - played as though he meant it - just as he did v Town pre-season. Willing runner, the only one with movement and a decent leap on him.

So on the whole, Lalkovic's performance summed up a lot that is wrong and what has happened to our team since he left. We have gone backwards as an attacking force (if that is not a contradiction in terms).

 

To be fair, I wrote that last night when the amount of crack you can take, and it still be socially acceptable, is much higher.

Yes, I meant Crowley. They've both go an 'o' and a 'w' in, near enough.

 

I was very impressed with their no10, bossed it all night, full length of pitch.

 

This is he.

https://youtu.be/vfwReGDMFQ0

And unlike the calls for experienced players on here, becausr the kids aren't up to it, he's young like most of our players.

 

Thanks for taking time to respond. I used to work in walsall - for homeserve in fact so i know your ground.

I think LJ needs time but a lot of our supporters are very fickle (like most clubs) and demand immediate success.

it might help if LJ came out and said hes made some mistakes but hes fully committed to getting them right and there is no quick fix available.

 

Looks very good. The most impressive player I've seen so far this season. Made the game look easy.