Quick word for Adam Davies

He's not a scapegoat. He was awful last season and was rightly criticised. He was great in the previous seasons and deserved the praise. I still think he will be good enough for league one next season. And if he plays well I will praise him. Still think he was crap yesterday.

 

If Stendel were making his choice for the number 1 jersey based on the two home friendlies this week, there is no choice. Davies played well, not perfect, but a competent performance. Jack Walton was a bag of nerves and made mistake after mistake while in possession.

The same is true when making the choice of centre half to partner Lindsay, who is clearly Stendel's favoured option (for good reason based on what I've seen in pre-season). Jackson took his chance and put in a solid performance, Pinnock made mistakes and cost us a goal.

 

I thought that lindsay made mistake after mistake too though. His distribution was absolutely awful in both games. Every pass he makes goes straight to the opposition which is a big worry

 

If you're right about Lindsay, the manager won't play him. Stendel is new to the club, he's come in during pre-season, so he's had the chance to see all his players in friendly matches and make his selection for the first competitive game in accordance with how they've performed during the last month.

I haven't seen the players in training, but from what I've seen in our friendly matches, come Saturday I believe Stendel will select Lindsay and Jackson at centre half and Davies in goal. Those selections will be made without prejudice choosing the best performers in pre-season for those roles. If every pass Lindsay made went to the opposition, Stendel wouldn't play him, he'd be a liability and our defence would be under constant pressure. That wasn't the case in either of the last two games. It was pretty even against West Brom and we were the dominant team against Hull. We were the architects of our own downfall against West Brom, but it wasn't Lindsay giving the ball away. Anyway, let's see what he does.

 

For me he shouldn`t be beaten near post but having said that he pulled off a couple of good saves. Whilst we looked okay going forrard defensively we seemed a bit at sixes and sevens.

 

I certainly want him to return to form. Even good keepers have a dip in form from time to time & to have someone pushing them for the jersey is the key to concentration & if they are on the sidelines for a couple of months it is better than being played when errors keep being compounded, or being dropped for a rookie, which eventually happened last season. For me a decent keeper in is key to guaranteeing us being top 6 at the end of the season.

I agree others deserve criticism. Moncur for lack of fitness / effort for one. He is one of our most skilled players, but could only run for 20 minutes.
Inability to take simple chances (Moore & Thiam) would be another. Poor full backs, not of the required quality for the championship (all apart from Yiadom).

Not to mention bad tactics & an unbalanced squad.

Need I go on.

 

Good post , I agree with what you have said & I would also add that better defence collectively would have helped , better closing down & stopping crosses would have helped a keeper trying to get his form back , unfortunately he was left exposed & hung out to dry on many occasions but because he is the last line it looks worse on him .

 

I thought Davis was excellent and really hope he can refind the form and confidence of 2016.

Mowatt and Dougall look a great midfield pairing.

Totally agree about our wasteful strikers and average full backs. I’d seriously consider a back 3 of Jackson, Pinnock and Lindsay with Isgrove and Hedges as wingbacks.

Moncur, McGeehan or Potts to play alongside Mowatt and Dougall.

Thought Victor looked dangerous at times, strong on the ball. Moore needs to be spending more time with a barn door and a banjo.