Thoughts on today's game/player summary

Very good display overall, first time I've seen the Reds this season but they don't look like a side that would have lost 4-1 two weeks ago. We were a bit nervy for the first 15 mins but the goal brought the team to life a bit. The whole team battled and always kept Plymouth under pressure. Bit disappointing to concede 2 the way that we did but we could have added a few more with a little more sharpness up front.

Muller Commanded his area well and looked dominant though maybe should have caught some that he punched. Made a brilliant save from a Plymouth header early in second half. Excellent distribution and massive throw on him, reminds of of Schmeichel. A class above Colgan.</p>

Nyatanga Steady all afternoon and didn't give much away.</p>

Souza Absolutely outstanding. Did well in the air and won tackles that he didn't have the right to. Really pleased that we've signed him and deserved his man of the match award.</p>

Foster Also put in a great debut performance. Tidied up nicely and made sure Fallon didn't get a kick or a header. Not the biggest but still won plenty in the air. Looks like another really good addition.</p>

Kozluk Fairly quiet game but didn't do much wrong. His ball through to Odejayi to cross for the first goal showed top vision and skill.
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Werling May actually be Roberto Carlos in disguise. Put in some real effort and some firm tackles until he went off. His free kick was probably the most powerful shot I've seen. We look much more of a threat going forward with Werling involved in the play.</p>

Howard Not his best game but got forward to score once again. Kept on running and driving the team forward though his distribution in final third was a bit sloppy. Still class though.</p>

Johnson Ran all day and looked knackered at the end but got stuck in where he was needed and kept prompting the team forward when they put us under pressure towards the end, really good performance.</p>

Silva I thought he was fairly quiet but when he got the ball he seemed to have plenty of time and space which is the sign of a good player. Didn't really do much wrong and put in a perfect cross for Howard's goal.</p>

Odejayi Future Oakwell cult hero. We always look threatening going forward when he's playing and he really puts defenders under pressure. Gave the ball away a few times and maybe needs a bit more self-belief to have a shot at goal. Won't be a 20-goal a season striker but he might make that many for others. We weren't the same threat once he went off injured.</p>

Ferenczi Put himself about well and took his goal nicely. Unlucky not to have a second later on. It's great to finally have a striking pair that can be physical with opposing defenders. Stupid deliberate handball to get himself booked though.
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Subs</p>

Ricketts Didn't really see to much of the ball and thought he didn't seem to want to get stuck in as much as the rest of the team did. Like all wingers has a tendency to want to take on one man too many. He could really hurt teams but to be fair he wasn't on for long enough to get much chance to today.</p>

Christensen Ran his balls off and gave 100% right to the end but might not be 100% match fit judging by the way he collapsed on the pitch at the final whistle. Put himself about well though a bit short of pace I thought. Unlucky not to score at the end but might he have been better putting it through to Ferenczi.</p>

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Plymouth</p>

Good pressure early on but still didn't create that many chances for all their early possession. Fallon was w@nk and was rightly substituted. Glad that Ebanks-Blake fella didn't start his strength and pace caused us problems a time or two. Thought their number 16 looked good but didn't get much of a kick. Their keeper was a tw@t - Christensen lying injured on the floor 3 yards in front of him and he just punts it forward for play to carry on.</p>

Also their number 19 (left back?) was *****, though apparently he wasn't 100% fit and it showed. Plymouth played well going forward and looked organised but somewhat sloppy at the back. We deserved all 3 points off them though we'll probably finish quite close together in the league I reckon.
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Summary</p>

Not the finished article yet but lots of encouraging signs. The defensive play was good though once again two soft goals conceded in 5 minutes shows we're not there yet. I feel a lot happier with Muller in net instead of Colgan.</p>

We have a bit more power and pace going forward with Odejayi though link up play still needs some work especially through balls from midfield - there was a bit of hesitancy sometimes e.g. with Kozluk and Howard. All in all though I actually feel confident of scoring going into a game, which I haven't always felt in the last few years.</p>

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Also...don't they have coppers at footy matches these days? First one I saw was when I got off the train at Huddersfield. </p>

 

Excellent summing up! I agree about Muller - excellent distribution - wish he'd stick to catching the ball and not punching - looks more comfortable when he does this

 

He's a German goalkeeper

they just don't catch footballs, it's not in their nature.

 

Hehe

After two punches early doors brought rumbles of discontent from the stands he soon started catching 'em.

 

Howard had a go at him! nt

 

A fair summary of the team there. nt