Thoughts on today's performance..

From about the tenth minute onwards, we dominated the opposition, played some lovely football and put away 3 of the 20 (9 on target) shots we had on goal. Bradford scored with their only shot on target, they only mustered 8 shots in total, and a few of those were hardly attempts at all. The goal they did score was well worked from their point of view, but both Cranie and Nyatanga's efforts left a lot to be desired. Not sure Turnbull could be faulted on it, looked a good finish.

But yes, we reacted brilliantly and but for Pickford in their goal we'd have been back in the game in the first half. Three terrific stops denying Berry, Hourihane and Winnall. A couple of other efforts were deflected out for corners but the referee didn't award them. And the first time young Bree put over a decent cross we weren't allowed to take the resulting corner as he blew for half time.

I wasn't impressed so much with the shape first half. We rarely got Cole out wide, something he did so well last weekend, Hourihane was effective despite seemingly been out wide and I couldn't quite see the point in the new lad, Williams. Gave the ball away a lot, needs new studs - fell down incessantly - and that haircut is not reight.
Couldn't fault the defence other than for the goal. Ramage was solid, young Bree again was composed and got up and down the flank well. All in all, I still thought we'd win it in the second half so long as we didn't have to defend much.

Second half was probably the perfect performance. We got Cole out wide more often, utilized his pace, and the trio of Berry, Hourihane and Bailey worked the ball well, played the right forward passes instead of playing safe. They continually found space in the pockets, as did the much improved Williams whose energy and willingness to run was refreshing to see. He still lost the ball here and there, but the main thing about his performance that altered my initial - and a tad unfair, early - assessment (probably) was his work rate. He grafted throughout. Always commendable for a loanee, especially when you consider other recent loan duds...

Back four were tremendous, especially Ramage. Made such an obvious difference in his two games so far. As I said, the midfield as a cohesive unit worked very well and both Cole and Winnall ran themselves into the ground.



RATINGS:


Turnbull - 6 - Had nowt to do of note. I feel more relaxed with him in goal. Few dodgy kicks. Meh.

Bree - 8 - Solid. Calm. Composed. Seen enough now to know we've developed another terrific young player. As with Stones before him, the lad oozes quality, and seems older/wiser than his years.

Ramage - 8 - Holds that back line together. Made a great impact since returning. Warrior with it.

Cranie - 6 - Steady after his early mistake. Similar to his Rochdale performance.

Nyatanga - 7 - He'll not win any awards for finesse or owt, but defensively solid although like Cranie he was found wanting for the goal. Great cross for Winnall's goal.

Bailey - 7 - First time I've watched him and appreciated his performance. Hopefully, he's showing his true abilities now he's getting games/fitness under his belt.

Berry - 8 - Can't help but enjoy watching this lad develop. I think he's every bit as talented as Hourihane, but more responsible defensively. Glad Danny's put him back in and allowed him to prove a few doubters wrong.

Hourihane - 8 - Best footballer on the pitch for large periods. Unlucky not to score on occasion. Standard.

Williams - 7 - For a lad making his home debut, it was more hit than miss. I'm not as enthused as some are about him, but he certainly adds more than Jennings/Treacy has so far.

Cole - 8 - Quiet first half. A non stop threat in the second. Very raw, very green at times, but he's got lots of potential. I fear we'll struggle to keep him once the loan ends. And he'd be a huge miss.

Winnall - 9 - Been my favourite player from opening day, and will remain so while ever he puts in shifts like this every week. I said once he scored again (and he did, at Oldham) that he'd go on a run. Also said he reminds me of Dagnall. He does. But that's not criticism. I love watching him. My man of the match.



Hemmings did well from the bench in such a short time, and his goal will help his confidence. Also, a mention for Brown who looked solid whilst on and indeed, Leroy Lita who was encouraging Cole as he replaced him, and did his bit winning an header or two. It was an all round, team performance. Some of us knew it'd come together eventually. I think the last seven days have been evidence of it doing so.


Not getting carried away though. But if you can't be optimistic having witnessed back to back league wins (only the second time in 18 months we've managed that) against in form sides then when can you?


Patience. It's a virtue. Although I do admit to fearing the worst in that first half.

But, Danny knows...


You Reds.

 

Good write up pal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Can't disagree with any of that.

I thought Ramage was excellent today. Looked calm with the ball at his feet in tight spaces too.

 

Not sure about a 7 for Williams, 6 at most

 

Yep. Reminded me of Arry de Zeeuw.

 

Hit and miss. More hit though.

 

And he needs a bloody hair cut the gret big pansy

 

Looks a right wally.

 

I do not want to disagree in order to be awkward, I simply wish to provoke discussion and I know that you will not object to the introduction of some controversy.

With Winnall and Cole up front, a long ball has the same effect as kicking it against a wall. Without the big/strong target man that we all agree that we need, we are forced to build from the back. In that regard, the back four chosen by Danny has its limitations. Cranie has to play down the centre, not because he is currently right to play beside Ramage, but because he is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He did not look comfortable today and I suspect he was carrying an injury. Nyatanga and not Cranie was the ball winner at defensive set pieces. The two full back are also required to start attacks, and neither looked totally comfortable in this role to me. That is not to say that Bree does not have a great future, he clearly does, and I much prefer him to Brown, but he is still developing. Nyatanga is no left back though in my opinion (I am well aware of his contribution to the second goal). I know other posters will think me a fool, but I much prefer Dudgeon, who does look comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Midfield started in the normal 4-4-2 formation, but switched to a diamond after Bradford strolled through us for their goal, and looked likely to do so again. They reverted to 4-4-2 when Williams left the field and Bree moved forward to allow Brown to play full back. The diamond was by far the most effective system, but it is interesting to reflect on why it was necessary to change. The flat midfield four leaves the team with a weak centre, where every team seems to attack us. The next bit is not going to be popular with most, but I will say it anyway. We are weak in the centre when Hourihane plays there. There is no doubt that Hourihane has magic in his left foot, but other aspects of his game are not up to that standard. His running and covering when the team is not in possession it not up to scratch, he is weak and he does not tackle well. Those who fear that he will be snatched away from us in January are mistaken. He needs at least 2 years at this level so Danny can knock him into shape. My heroes from the midfield four were Williams and Bailey, Williams because of his potential to run at retreating defences with ball at feet, and Bailey because he was the rock around which the team recovered and eventually came out on top.

Neither of the front two like the ball in the air. As I remarked above, this leaves the team only able to construct attacking moves by playing the ball short to Bree, Cranie and Nyatanga. When these players were marked by Bradford attackers, and the keeper was forced to kick long, the ball came straight back at us. It is pointless to close our eyes to this shortcoming because other teams will exploit this failing better than Bradford were able to.

As usual, the euphoria that has greeted this win is out of all proportion. Those who have greeted this performance as the turning of a corner are wrong. There will be many month yet when teams will exploit the weaknesses listed better than Bradford did. The team still need time to settle, and time to grow. We still need some players for certain positions and there is the prospect of losing some gems in January and having to reconstruct again with 4 or 5 new faces. As Winston Churchill remarked in one of his war speeches, this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning.

 

We turned the corner last week, in terms of results. We've won again today. Back to back league wins for only the second time in 18 months (both under Danny). No offence, pal, but I can see the progress even if others can't. Baby steps it may be, but this season is all about foundations being laid, for me at least.

Your summing up is fair enough, ultra critical though, and seemingly done to reach perfection. Which will never happen.

I'm not against you or what you're saying, but I find it quite strange that someone would feel the need to try and piss on our bonfire so to speak after what I would describe as the best performance at Oakwell since we beat Huddersfield over a year ago under Flitcroft.

Bradford are no mugs.

They beat MK Dons recently, a team that took us apart.

I find criticism of Nyatanga quite harsh considering he's stepped in at left back and we've won both games. Not saying he's not got his flaws, or he's this or that, but I'm loathe to pick faults in him or any of the lads really who've led us to two fantastic victories in the last week, scoring four goals (and could have been far more in both games) whilst conceding just the one, and looking as solid as we have done all season.

As for Bree, I thought he looked classy. The Sky team were very impressed, surprised he'd only just turned 17 yesterday.

Opinions eh?

 

Today was the first time Bradford have lost away from home this season!

 

We saw it a bit different regarding getting Cole out wide.

Thought he was being played in field and in the first half Bradford were having a field day down our right side, 2nd half I think Wilson pushed him out wide to give their players something to think about so they couldn't push on so much, and it worked.

First half we were poor, but 2nd half was a vast improvement and we deserved a 2 goal win.

Interesting that you "couldn't see the point in Williams" - Man of the match for us, caused them no end of trouble, great first touch, got forward well.

p.s. What was with all the slipping from all the players?!

 

You saw it the same then (Cole), surely? I said he wasn't out wide first half, but was second. I think it was key to our improvement. Just as it was at Rochdale. He's not only a threat for us, he limits their own wide players' ability to hurt us. In my opinion obviously.

As for Williams, I'm not alone in what I thought first half. Most of twitter were saying the same things. But he improved second half. However, the commentators were very keen on him throughout so maybe I saw it differently? Meh.

The slipping is bizarre. Jennings usually suffers with it, today it was Williams.

 

I guess, I meant in that you said he didn't get out wide enough first half, whereas I thought that was what he was instructed - but generally the same I guess. Him playing more out on the right in the 2nd half was key.

Is there a rerun of the game on? Wouldn't mind seeing on telly.

 

Williams was my man of the match too.

 

I don't have SkySports, pal. I watched it via other means...

 

Exactly. And I see it as a good thing. Because I've given it Winnall, some suggest Berry, others Bailey. Seen nods for Ramage and Cole too.

All good.

 

An erudite summing up as always. Agreed with most of it but enjoyed Williams contribution myself. Felt he offered drive and determination myself that seems to have been missing. Bree im enjoying seeing a talent develop before my eyes

 

I did enjoy Williams' performance. Just thought he was a bit hit and miss. Certainly better in the second than he was in the first.

 

Counted abart 5 players slipping today, why we hev to water the pitch so much is beyond me. Slick passing will be the answer until it costs us with a **** up.