Holmes_and_Watson

I thought that when Stu came on, we got to see other parts of Edozie's game. Stu's strengths in direct passing/ attacking allowed Edozie to switch from taking on/ beating opponent/ drawing fouls to moving into space beyond the defender. Stu was drawing one or two towards him, and then using Edozie's runs in behind. I thought this was a really good combination, I'd like to see more of. So, when our oppnents shut one down JWP/ KWP who were doing really well in the first half, we have other pairings in the team who link up well, to cause problems. So, not Stu on for Edozie, but Stu on for Alcaraz and being a litle more central. Edozie caused problems, but the final ball was lacking. He got better after some views expressed from the technical area regarding his composure. As his opposing defenders tired, and he got more support from Stu, he looked better still. When we no longer needed someoen to take on opponents (and had Stu on if we wanted to, it was right that Aribo came on.) I don't mind so much if he loses the ball, taking on a man. That's something he'll have been instructed to do. It's difficult, and if instructed, it's up to Martin and staff to make sure that there's cover if/when the ball is lost. It's up to them to show Edozie when to do it, and when to pass. It's up to Edozie to relax and get a better final ball in, after he gets past a man. He'll develop, and has done a bit from last season. On the other flank, Tella offers a more direct threat, and there were times he could have passed it to better effect. So, everyone is developing. Hopefully, regardless of the comings and goings, Edozie will get room to develop this season. The Championship is just the level to test him, and bring him on a lot quicker.

Slice

Reading with a Saintsy 1-0 defeat. Selles may have done a good job there, implementing his plan in a short time. ☺️

President

Credit to him. He keeps his head down and gets on with things. When things are going well or badly or here, even going into the last year of his contract and an offer to play somewhere else.

I think a lot of that was on purpose. It took a little while, but Smallbone would pass it back or sideways, but with the plan being to get into that space to create better angles for more possession. With the aim of then getting a forward pass. So, when he was part fo two or three consecutive passes, you could see the plan. When it was just the one, sometimes it looked a little wasted.

KWP for me. Mobile. Attacking. Good in the tackle, even late on when he helped Smallbone out. Marshalled others. Linked up really well with JWP, sometimes Tella and others. He always looks better on the right for me. So with Tino gone, hopefully we can keep him here.

Agreed. Smallbone did loads of good things tonight. But he did have JWP creating space and KWP offering lots of options. For me, he still has the same issue of being really a JWP type player, needing game time when JWP is always fit. I really hope JWP stays, and that us having a bit more control allows Smallbone to get more game time.

Our depth of squad really stood out, adn is going to be a massive advantage this season (unless everyone goes, which isn;t likely) Edozie had a total mix of promise and indifferent decisions. But he played his part first half. As did Alcaraz. When they became less effective second half we had Stu and Aribo to come on. Stu immedately lifted the game for us, and could have been on earlier. Aribo did little things well, helping us see it out with no issues. On the other flank, Tella offers a more direct option to Edozie, looking to get shots in on goal. A nice balance to have. We'll ahve Sulemana (if he stays) pushing for a place and perhaps even AA) When AArmstrong became less effective, as Wednesday engaged further up, we could bring on Adams who offered a different threat and got the winner. He could have been on earleir too. But in the first half, AA had plus points, offering something different to Adams. KWP is definitely key. Attacking, available for the pass, better tackling late on than Smallbone, poinitng out better options to others, and linking up well with JWP in particular, but also Tella. My MOM. I'm not convinced if we're using Smallbone as someone who's supposed to be breaking up play, or dictating tempo. He made himself available all the time for passes. He might not always have done much with those. But as the game went on, he got into better positions, and linked up really well. JWP being more closely watched, created even more space for Smallbone. So, a nice balance, even if their roles are overlapping a bit. We need midfield drive, with Lavia on his way. We've a team with lots of options in it, and Martin will hopefully be able to bring that out, so we can switch up games. That will help us manage changes like those Wednesday did, to make that second half more balanced. Bazunu had nothing to do, but was maybe about to have a moment when that final whistle went. Stephens was mobile and aggressive when he needed to be. But nearly gave away a pass right across the back. Bednarek was quiet, and going about his job. Our dominance first half, and the ease we controlled and closed down the game was really nice. But it's against a team that just came up, losing their manager along the way. Lot of good things, but I'd have been disapointed had we lost this, with the resources we have. We're going to have tougher tests ahead, but great to get that confidence a win will bring.

Bazunu nearly had a moment, just as the whistle went. 🙂

Nice from Aribo. After such a long, excellent spell of possession.

Jeez Stephens. Nearly gave that away.

Good shout to switch Edozie. Need someone who has a chance of sticking with the ball to close this out.

Daft lack of control there, inviting them to get into the box. Need stronger battling than that. Looking at Smallbone, but not just him.

And no stupid VAR to draw lines allover it.

Yaaaaaaay!!!!!

If he's concussed it might affect his decision making, passing and ability... how can we tell it's concussion. 🙂 (sorry Jack. Too good to pass up)

Adams coming on. Quite a bit later than he should have done.

Nearly from Stu

Instant impact from Stu.

"Wow. His shoulder got a goal. I can't wait to see what his legs manage."

The best hair in the Championship is on!

Nearly caught out again. So much for possession with incision. Suckered a couple of times now.

Far, far too many passes where there's no consideration about picking something mroe forward. Smallbone occassionally does it, to get it back in a better position. But habitual from others.

Nice moment from Edozie followed by a poor one. Again. He needs to learn to have two good moments in a row.