MDT Cambridge v The Reds

Marshy....he can't get a look in under Clarky ...scoring in the U21 ...in my opinion he's another who feeds on confidence so needs a run in the team

 

Man of the match Nwakali just edged it over Robbo
Played really well showed a lot of class with vision when on the ball
Excellent distribution

 

I thought exactly the same. He had a big impact on the game when he came on

 

Not the match I watched.

 

He's given DC a real selection problem
As I said in my earlier post, in my opinion, the best player on the pitch today.
He was seeing passes that no-onee else could pick out. His composure on the ball was a joy to behold.
He's going to be a massive asset for us.

 

Also, the moment he came on, it was noticeable that absolutely everything seemed to go through him. I'm not much of a tactician but that seems to me like a sign that he's doing the right things off the ball as well.

This might happen with other players as well - could just be that I picked up on it because I was particularly interested in seeing how he got on.

 

Interviewed on Radio Sheff after, sounded like a nice lad and a proper team player.

 

He seemed to have so much space and time on the ball, and his passing was insightful and accurate looked class to me

 

Nwakali was outstanding, I can’t argue - but there has to be a question whether against better sides, which there are plenty of in the division; Cambridge are bottom three and are missing arguably their best central midfielder in Digby (he’d certainly have played today); would he be as effective on the ball with less time - and is he good enough at winning the ball as well as using it?

He’s certainly earnt a look - but I can’t conclude he’s a better bet than Connell in the deeper role just yet. He may, as we’ve seen with Russell, struggle to run midfield from deep and win the ball.

We also missed Connell’s delivery from set pieces on the right today; Gent isn’t as good and the outswingers from O’Keeffe weren’t effective. It was noticeable to me that we created less from set pieces than we often do - Cambridge are a big experienced side which is part of it, but the delivery wasn’t always as good either.

It’s a good problem to have to have competition in midfield - he certainly looked to have a great range of passing.

If DKD continues to flatter to deceive, (he’s done some good things in moments but has he had a good game yet?), we could possibly see Russell and Phillips supporting the striker as a pair of deep 10’s/8’s - with a four of O’Keeffe/Cotter, Nwakali, Connell, and Gent behind them in front of the back three?

 

Just having a nosy around this after a pleasant evening in Cambridge with @Merde Tete and family.

I thought we did plenty enough to win after Clarke was forced into playing the team that a blind man on a galloping horse could see that he should have started with - be that with either Nwakali or Craig. I didnt speak to anyone before the game who didnt think that it should have been Humphrys in for Watters and a straight swap of defensive CDM for Luca with Russell kept upfield, but there we go, Darrell didnt agree and an abysmal start to the game gave them a goal start. Luckily the introduction of the outstanding Nwakali steadied the ship, we got a foothold and a great goal from Humphrys who is excellent, i cant believe we've got him.

Second half i thought we battered them, it felt like wave after wave of constant pressure that probably should have told and we really should have converted one of the chances that came our way, to me the best one felt like the Phillips header but on another day 2 or 3 could easily have gone in.

It feels like 2 points dropped, but as others have said it continues a definite trend of improved performances and we are definitely playing with way more belief and attacking intent - it is getting loads more enjpyable to watch.

As others have said it would have been nice to have an attacking option off the bench but that really should have been Watters if the selection had been correct. I dont understand the clamour for Marsh, he has had loads of chances and has never really shown any signs of being anywhere close to good enough. Jalo very clearly isnt ready yet, so here we are.

 

That’s how I saw everything - aside from the best chance clearly being for DKD - free header, centre of goal, inside the six yard box.

I thought Phillips was actually unlucky with his two chances, the shot on the run just curled wide after starting on target off the foot (if that makes sense) - and he did well to attack the header a bit later; I wouldn’t call either a sitter.

On another day they all go in - but DKDs should go in EVERY day.

 

100% agree with you.
Pretty much all we did going forward was to play through him. Because the other players had confidence in his passing ability, they were more inclined to take up more advanced positions when we were attacking.
The lad is a real talent.

 

Interestingly, from where I was standing both Phillips chances looked much easier than DKD's. He did very well to get in position for both, but 9 times out of ten you'd have expected him to have at least hit the target. DKD's however was drilled in at such pace that it was just a matter of getting his head on it and hoping it went in the net. I couldn't really see how he was supposed to get any control over the ball when he had so little time to react to such a powerful cross.

 

Nwakali could he play a bit further forwards in the Russell position looks like a clever footballer but not sure if he's capable of scoring goals.

 

Marsh is no where near good enough. Can’t argue with Clarke’s opinion there.

 

I’m not sure we would get away with playing Nwakali & Russell in there together against a better side. I think someone like Connell or Craig gives you more off the ball. Cambridge weren’t good enough to make the most of it but there were a few moments where they countered straight down the middle of the pitch. I would expect that it’ll be one of Russell or Nwakali playing with Connell.

His passing was excellent though. I was just relieved to see him play well as I was beginning to fear the worst with the time it’s took to get him into the team.

What do people think to Clarke’s comments about him? He said he didn’t expect Nwakali to be ready until December / January time. I don’t really understand that.

He seems to have played a full season last year & hasn’t had any injuries with us. Surely it doesn’t take that long to get up to speed.

As a comparison Herbie Kane apparently turned up to Huddersfield overweight & spent a month out injured but has been regularly starting for about a month now. I don’t really see why Nwakali needs that long to get up to speed.

 

How would you know if you have not seen him play,let's be fair he as not had many minutes for the first team for his solitary goal.
6 or 7 for 21s

 

Just my opinion on what I’ve seen. He’s not strong enough for L1 football. Loads have scored at u21 level and never made it, he’s not exclusive on that.