i think Kane was invisible in his introduction and we lost energy at that point. Cole and Thompson brightened it up in attack. Adebeyojo for me has had now enough chances and we needed to rest Cauley. I feel its a bit like Schmidt and Simoes with Val, when the players have had a chance to make him sit up they missed the opportunity. Even with such a weak side players had a chance to show up. Many didnt. I also though Williams and Halme were poor. But as you say we have another 3 players who will be ahead up front and only 3-5 of the players on show last night will be in this weekends starting line up
Do you not think he played them to tell them it’s last chance saloon basically to make his mind up. And they failed so it’s bye bye.
This. In spades. It was no more than a glorified friendly playing players either behind the fitness curve or lads that basically won’t play barring mass injury or suspension.
I have been somewhat critical of Cauley Woodrow for some time now. Whilst he is undoubtedly one of the more talented players in the squad, he has flattered to deceive for most if not all last season and is nowhere near performing to his potential. Those rushing to his defence state how he puts a shift in and gets himself in places to score and is quality. Unfortunately I see someone who goes missing at times during the game, lacks composure/makes wrong decisions in front of goal evidenced by his shots/goals ratio (albeit he is far from the only guilty party regarding that). As one of our main first team forwards and given our lack of finishing has been a consistent failing under successive managers,how much longer are those who defend him going to continue to excuse him with comments like "being played out of position"," not getting the support he needs"? Those ignore the simple fact the number of chances he squanders. I have seen countless times when he has had a clear view of goal and blazed the ball, high, wide, or both. Genuinely think he has lost his way and do not consider him as currently performing at Championship level even based on his form last season. Not the CW that started with Barnsley a couple of seasons back IMHO. He should shape up or ship out although on current form I am not sure where he would end up.
Having watched him again for most of the match he certainly didn't go missing. He shouldn't be shipped out, we need his goals.
Our forward line last night was never going to be a winner. Crosses from Miller with Victor and Oduor in the middle... J Williams is great on the right, but I noticed a few times where a left footer would've been able to get a cross in last night but he cut back. He's ok there but not as effective. Shame Woodrow's goal was ruled out.
If you include Cole there’s six, arguably seven players, who are ahead of those who finished up front last night. Not just three. That’s just how weak a side we played. That’s why there’s no need to press the panic button after a goalless draw.
I thought that was about the only bit of decent game management all night. we had already used all subs when Miller went down injured, so sticking him in a stationary forward role in the hope he could hold it up was preferable to him going off, or worse, watching him get exposed in his starting postion.
Could see he was struggling way before the final subs were made..... But yeah sticking him up front out of the way was the only option really.
That is the point though. What goals? Taking away the penalties he has not exactly been prolific..,, 26 goals in 79 appearances in the league since 2019 and 8 of those from the penalty spot. It is his goals to attempts ratio that I find so frustrating. Effort and application count for little if his contribution is ineffective. ... 7!! assists in 84 games if the stats are to be believed. Still I suppose if he had a far better ratio he would possibly have ben poached. I did not say he should be shipped out now but he does need to get his mojo back from 2018 when he scored around 16 goals in 29 league appearances I believe he was he on loan 2018 season? As you can see I am not a big fan of him. Opinions eh?
Woodrows a touchy subject because there's obviously a quality player in there but it's been a long time now since he was a menacing striker, he seems to want to link things up rather than get on the end of things. He looks like he's lost half a yard of pace to me. Hopefully when the new strikers settle in they will raise the bar like Morris and Dike did last season.
I was critical of him last season and while I highlighted his poor record from open play I got shortlisted down by posters who said val didn't play to his strengths, struber played him too deep etc so this season with a manager who likes to play the ball on the floor he should fill his boots. Over to you cauley.
I agree Loko. I sort of got the weakened starting 11 but I didn't really understand the decision to weaken it further with the subs. And something went awry with communication between players and management because Miller and Oduor were already starting to struggle before Cole and Kane were brought on. We were weakened as a result of the subs and then again as a result of the two of them really struggling for the last 20-30 minutes. That was the thing I was disappointed about. Thank goodness we didn't have to go through extra-time!
Said as much to @Jimmy viz last night. Fine playing a weakened team, getting a look at some of the players who will be on the fringes, but we needed some first teamers to come in that second half rather than players that are even more on the fringes or less fit. Loved it going straight to pens. Hated how poor Devante' pen was. But ultimately that performance and everything it involved will be forgotten pretty quickly as it was essentially meaningless.
You are right, after last nights performance I can see lots of promise, ability , desire and a killer instinct. I can see those promotion odd falling all the time. Get your bets in now. Looking promising ... more of the same please ....
Can't argue with that was unlucky it was ruled offside. Hopefully he can get one at weekend and kick on in the league. I do want him to do well.