Holmes_and_Watson

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.

If Big Paul is mobile enough to come in from a little deeper, rahter than be simply a target man (and he may well be able to) then he would offer something we don;t have here.

Had Edozie ran on instead of cutting back, we could have had an effort on goal there.

Well. Sod. That was silly to be in the poistion to give away that corner. Then not closing down for to challenge the header and then the shot comes in. Naive from us, and we should be sharper. Much sharper.

Oh dear. It would be a bit rubbish to get caught on a countr in this game. We should be exploiting their need to get a goal., not overcommitting ourselves. Certainly not at the pace we're palying it at.

Edozie gives the ball away, but then gets a freekick. Frustrating and promising in 2 seconds there.

Stephens not too certain since the restart.

About as confortable a half as could have been hoped for. It tailed off towards the end of the half. You'd like to think that there's more of a cutting edge to come from this team. Perhaps with Tella there and Alcaraz for a whole season, but we've seen the same sort from the others. Here, it was breaking through a Wednesday team that weren't that compact, but not risking much either. Although it was a team without Tino, Sulemana or Lavia in it, we still have key players out there that will make all the difference. KWP was probably the best of these. Keen to get forward, and link in with the others such as Tella on that flank and JWP, continuing from last season. JWP and Tella also make a big difference. AA picked for his hard work and keeness to drop deep to link up. Got a goal out of the half, even if he was trying to get out of the way of Tella's shot. The defence didn't have much to do. Although there were the occassional big gaps, with players running back. Smallbone seemed a little unsure defensively. He didn;t have much to do. Happy to make sideways passes, to slowly build up moves. He's probably more like JWP than anything else, and if JWP leaves with Lavia, we're going to need a proper defensive midfielder. Bazunu had nothing to do, and Stephens was aggressive and comfortable on the ball. Edozie kept trying to take on his man, and got more success as the half went on. FInal delivery let him down a bit in terms of purpse and power. But after gettign a telling off from Martin, that seemed to get better too. More of the same for the second half please. We are going to have tougher tests than a prmoted club though, so that cutting edge would be nice.