Holmes_and_Watson

Tombola of subs... AA off for Archer. Jander off for Bragg. System maintained.

They aren't that much bigger, but win every challenge. We are lightweight.

Jelert on for Fellows..must...maintain...failing...formation...

Leo coming on when they are in the lead and will be happy to be compact, if they need to be.

Sod

He certainly looks glum enough to have been watching us. Red and white too.

As @obelisk said, one team playing with a desire to get forward at every opportunity. We prefer to draw them in to create spaces to pass through. As Birmingham get forward, we've been unable to use the space they leave. When we try to draw them in, we regularly fail to get it past them to our forwards. We end up playing too deep, too slowly and with a lack of conviction. Fellows is being well shackled, and they know we have no Leo. That's about it for us. Robinson has had a couple of bright runs. The one he set up that ended up as an Azaz shot. A second he took the shot himself. Fine, but AA was standing centrally in space. I'd have fancied him to score it. We could have done worse than get it to Robinson as we do with Leo. Much rawer, but would have pushed them back, and given Azaz and AA more options. Possibly even free up Fellows a bit. Hopefully, this will be a second half where we're stronger for a change. We'll need to be.

And off the bar.

Nonsense trying to clear that. They still have a free kick...

Robinson does well when given a chance. Gave AA a chance. A rare bit of attacking intent.

Downes moving up making a difference. Closed down their defender, picking up the ball in midfield and giving us another option (which we really need)

THB from a corner or a bizzare Birmingham og.

Ouch. Manning throw in bounces over AA. Probably our best attack in a while too.🙂

If we had a statue, it would be playing in goal. 🙂

We're not able to pass it to Leo, and hope he does something, and not giving Robinson that role. Instead of imposing ourselves, we're drawing them out to try and pass through them. With all the usual joy that brings as they can press and get some momentum.

As Stanfield puts it wide and Kyogo puts it over, I notice that Tonda's SR regulation facial hair is coming along.

First pass out from the back, and we don't beat a one man press disrupting it. Azaz with an effort, but others looked a bit reluctant to have a go.

Just what I was thinking. That we will therefore be fine. 🙂

COYR!

Like Baz, you should be playing outfield. You were a cross between Scott Marshall and Ross Stewart. 🙂

I wonder if the sports science was saying that Stewart was fit enough to play 3 games in short order. That it didn't take into account wider issues, such as his injury record. Maybe Still just looked at Downs, and just did it anyway.

Oh no it isn't!

We might need another central defender on, so that could happen. 🙂

Obviously disappointing to not see Leo start. He's our game changer. Robinson knows the expectations on him to step up in a settled system. However, in Leo's absence the others (looking at Azaz) have to also step up to give Robinson as much of a chance/ space to do well as they can. Hopefully Birmingham will be confident enough in their own attack, that they give us the space to get the ball through our midfield. Failing that, Fellows and Manning can pin them back and get it across. Hoping for a win to get us back on track.

Axe