Well done to LJ and his players tonight..

Set up in the 3-5-2 system, which I've been hoping to see again, yet first half was the same stuff we've seen lately, us with all of the ball but in areas not worth mentioning. Opponents score with their first meaningful foray forward, heads drop, became abysmal and hard to watch until half time.

Second half, different beast altogether. Played the game how I like it to be played. No more tippy tappy nonsense, instead, we got it forward quicker, we pressed them all over the park and won the majority of our physical duels. We still lacked that creativity in the final third, but not down to lack of effort, more down to some iffy technique here and there, and robust City defending, not helped by the wally that is Trevor Kettle.

But when you've Conor Hourihane in your side, you're already winning. Played in a central two tonight and was the best player on the pitch. Tackles, headers, interceptions, passes, assists, you name it. Just forgot his shooting boots. But arr, the lad was exceptional and the delivery for the winner was probably as perfect as it gets. We were right behind it and it was just a thing of perfection, absolutely golden he is from set plays.

Feel bad for not mentioning the centre halves, all were bang on, especially Lewin and Roberts (we drop him, we're ******* mental), but I can't say anybody disappointed me. Pearson wasn't great, faffed too much for my liking, but good otherwise. And a final mention for Harry White. Played like a lad who realises he's living the dream, like a lad plucked from non league, effort, graft, pace and quite a handful for their impressive centre half McArdle. But also blowing out of his arse by the end due to him running himself silly. He 'might' be a bit of a find, the lad. Might be.




Not a podcast tomorrow afternoon, where I'll expand on things more.


Great night, great company, great result.

You Reds

 

cheers for that Whitey....where did your namesake play?

 

Alongside Watkins with Winnall just behind them. It worked as well. Three grafters, winning headers, making it stick. Might lack that 'sexy' football between them, but a ******* handful. And bang on if you're trying to be more direct, play quicker tempo stuff.

Certain laikers just came alive second half once the pace was upped. Suited them.

If we now revert back to one up front and patient, tippy tappy slow stuff, I'll scratch my head until it bleeds. We saw answers tonight. Not definitive ones, but the clues were massive. I hope LJ saw enough to give this kind of system and tempo a prolonged run.

 

cant wait for not a podcast, looking forward to it more than the next karl Pilkington moaning of life , #whitey #legend

 

on a football side, hope L J continues with a higher tempo pressing game and once he gets us 2 or 3 up, he can indulge himself with some barnsleyloana (see what I did there, cos we borrow players and try and play like them, ) yes some barnsleyloana style football,just so we can play it , when we take on teams who actually fancy a game of football, like yer evertons or swindons of this world #YOUREDS

 

More of the same Saturday

You Reds!!!!!

 

We've got the three centre halves, we've got the central midfield players and we've got the forwards, but for the system to work on a regular basis, rather than just a one off, your wing backs have got to perform well; as has the player who plays in hole between midfield and attack. How did Wabara, Bree and Smith do at wing back, and how was Harris behind the front two?

 

Wabara had a bit of a shocker and Smith is just poor going forward.

Harris looks dangerous every time he gets the ball and was unlucky not to score first half.

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

 

I disagree with Redarmychris ....... opinions and all that. Thought Wabara was steady as usual, if not spectacular. Bree did OK when he came on - it all got a bit busy down his side and he handled it ok and always looked to get forward. Smith had an average game, got caught out a few times but he looks fit and willing. Only concern about him was that he almost looked as though he was instructed not to get too adventurous, there were plenty of chances for him to bomb down the line but he always put a foot on it or turned backwards. He is a much better full back than wing back, if you get what I mean.

Watkins was superb.

As Whitey has said, this is the setup fans seem to WANT to see, and on last nights showing there is no reason for LJ not to give it a go in the League