Today’s defensive performance

Yes it was poor but the whole point of playing them was to put the defence under pressure. They can all learn from their mistakes, and even if Fulham slaughter us, we only play them twice. Don’t forget, five seasons ago L1 attacks made Mawson, Roberts and co look clueless for 8 games in a row.

 

Having not seen us in the flesh yet I was expecting the defence to be worse than it was. Thought Anderson passed the ball out well, loved our new keeper who can actually kick a ball to someone in a red shirt over the half way line and thought the others did ok. Williams started very brightly but went off the boil a bit.

 

Iam sure our manager will get it sorted, keep the faith.

 

Agreed I’d expect us to be a lot more compact against the better sides in the league. We all need to remember it’s how you do against the weaker sides in the league that shows come end of the seasons. Our primary objective is to stay up then build on that fir the season after.

On a positive note we have several genuine attacking threats on the pitch who all have something different to offer we’ll score goals im sure if it.

 

Surely we have the finances available to be looking at someone of the calibre of Harrison Reed from Southampton.

 

No they didn't, we lost by the odd goal. Today we got absolutely hammered. There's a massive difference.

 

I like his name a lot. Oliver Reed meets Harrison Ford.

 

I’m certainly looking forward to hearing his post match summary

 

Thought Diaby and Anderson looked excellent prospects tbh - also worth considering that these are in the majority young players who have little or no experience at this level. Certainly need some expertise at the back but I didn’t see it as a disaster at all - encouraging signs!

 

Twice in that run we lost by two goals. Earlier in the season we lost 3-0 to Rochdale, 3-1 at Chesterfield and lost a friendly 4-0 at home to Middlesbrough. My point was that we shouldn’t judge a young defence (oldest player was 21/22?) on one friendly. Or on the first game of the season against a side just relegated from the Premier League. Please.

 

If we get beat 4 - 1 next setday then its time to start worrying......

 

I disagree, if we are in the bottom 3 after Xmas is when I would start to worry. I really don’t think that will happen though to be honest.

 

My thoughts were

Thier first 2 goals shouldnt have been allowed due to fouls on Mowatt and Chaplin.

Woodrow dropped too deep and should just play as main striker as far forward as possible not as a no 10 as he is a fantastic striker but not good enough as a playmaker.

Cavare and Pinnilos should start the season as first choice ful backs.

We played 424, wilkes and Chaplin went from winger to striker and back again, we need to stay a more compact 442 at this level.

Didnt understsnd why Miller and Halme came on and we changed to 433 as surely that will never be a matchday option so why do it now.

Radlinger Diaby Anderson looked good just needed a bit more support from the midfield

Sheff Utd were a good side.

Thiam impressed when he came on, having competition for his place should drive him on.

Would have liked to see Styles and Bahre involved not sure if they were injured.

We need Moore fully fit and need Dougal back

I thought Halme would have been first choice centre half.

We didnt play anywhere near the quality of passing possession attacking football that we can.

Fulham game is going to be tough.

I enjoyed todays game and its good to be back at oakwell on a saturday afternoon.

 

What a ridiculous statement! The season is played over 46 games our fait will be decide by how we’ll we do against the 11 weaker sides in the division. Our prime objective is to stay up and build from there.

On paper Fulham are probably the strongest side in the division who’ll probably score a hat full in several games this season some against top half sides.