SWLondon Saint

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Looks like Will is all out of chewing gum... Like it! 🥾🍑 Edit - also hope we see Matsuki, Downes, Taylor. BBD too I guess if we want to sell him could do with some goals...

Just watched the whole of this, and it's completely unacceptable - not a single mention of 'Being Braver', 'Trust the Process' or 'Playing our way'??? Actually giving answers like 'Too static across the front 3' or 'Need to play more skip passes and be more fluid with our passing' is never gonna catch on. Games gone.

My predicted starting 11: Whoever needs match fitness. I'm generally optimistic for the season, but 100% expecting a sloppy loss here. Post-match tagline bingo: 'Wake-up call' 'Not what we're about' 'Reality check'

Bloody hell, all 3 relegated sides went behind in first game of the new season, wonder how often that's happened?

Not sure he's come back to the table so much as put the table out front, turned on a red light and stuck up a giant neon sign saying 'Come and get me big boys.'

Fair enough, I know there are a couple who seem to have it in for him, just like others did for Baz and probably myself criticizing Cap'n Jack in the past! On the defensive front in general though, that 1v1 Jack got back for which I think he did do well on was an interesting demo of why I think this is his level. At this level players are often not as rock solid technically and tactically - if that was most PL midfielders, it ends in either a goal or a pen and a red card as they just position better. You can get away with Jack's kind of grabby / borderline play in the Champ, you can't in the PL.

You've got to be joking right? Wrexham were offering very little going forward when Sugawara and Welington went off and they were pulled for fresh attacking players. And for the Windass shot, when Windass picks the ball up, Quarshie is nearest him but retreats to get to his LCB position and probably either he should have stayed close to him or Stephens has to step up since Edwards sticks to Moore who peels more into a central position. The fullback makes a completely untracked run on the outside which Sugawara gets pulled towards as well, so in the end Suga dives towards the shot from too far away because no-one else is near him. He's not great but this is totally one-eyed criticism where you're determined to scapegoat the player you can't stand.

One thing I thought watching today was that he's not really a holding midfielder, he's actually pretty decent going forward, good touch, some great runs, can take the ball on the half turn or in his stride. Should have had a pen when his shot was blocked by an arm. Ideal I think is Downes sitting in front of the defence with Charles and Fernandes ahead of him, then if we get up need to upgrade in the holding MF position.

Well, I didn't think RB was a particular weakness today tbh. I watched the entire game and honestly Sugawara didn't stand out to me in any particular way, other than when Windass hit the bar, which was bad defensive coordination as Sugawara had to cover the left back running outside. Sugawara and Bree are perfectly adequate for this level, would rather spend the money elsewhere on the pitch.

There was a through ball at some point and Quarshie just overtook the guy and took the ball easily, looked totally dominant. Something we've lacked the last however long. Worried about who gets the assignment to fight with Hirst next week at Ipswich. Probably shouldn't be Edwards on today's evidence.

Absolutely agree, sometimes playing shit and winning is all that matters. For anyone wishing we were someone else, the supercomputer's choice for champions Sheffield Utd currently 4-1 down AT HOME.

Agree, clear push and ref would definitely not have given it, he was completely crap all game.

Few random non goal/Baz thoughts: Charles was class, probably our best player Edwards so poor. Wood would've been better on Moore as he's more of a unit. Should probably have left Suga on as we needed someone to cross it when the forwards came on. We need a target man up front, one of Downs or Stewart has to play. Armstrong should never be played there again. Also he just is not clinical enough as we all know, he had several good chances. Fraser and Robinson did OK, both had their moments. Really impressed with Robinson but we can't expect that every game from a teenager. I thought Suga and Welington were both OK, but there's no point playing with them as wingbacks if we have a midget front line when they both want to get forward and cross.

Hollywood on our side, Baz and Cap'n Jack redemption arc stories. Unbelievable 🎬📽️

FUCK YEAH ALL CAPS TIME!!!!

Yeah, it was absolutely brain dead as it wasn't a sure fire goal, angle was so so and Baz was coming. Let him shoot instead of giving the pen

Yep, looked off to me and I think everyone in the bloody ground. Edit - Well, fair enough then after replay. Defenders sleeping.

No idea what Edwards was doing for the pen. Downes seems a bit off it, probably worth bringing Matty on for him if we can to avoid possible red. Armstrong done very little, has to be Downs or Archer on instead.

BBC sport has the same, shows no-one could even be bothered to Google players 😂

Plan is clear, keep possession and wear them out in the initial stages. Expect to see it played to feet as much as possible or possibly into channel if Armstrong can get a run on them. No idea how quick / big their CBs are.

Why are people down about this? We looked way better last week with 5 at the back. If it helps think of it as a back 3 with 1 pushing up when in possession.

Yep, that's why I think we have to be really careful about buying 'best of the champ' as you have to use your money so well to have a chance. Basically *if* we go up, to have a shot we need to hope a couple of recruits can step up a level - say, Charles, Quarshie, Downs are all hits - also keep hold of Fernandes, Dibling, Ramsdale or replace with established talent, then ideally buy a couple more Fernandes level or higher bargain £15 million players AND THEN hope one of the established teams has a mare. Pretty nuts.

They're talking about overseas, might be on prime in US or Canada

Also be interesting to see what other teams' approach to Brum playing out will be. Like many others I thought people figured out how to press us into mistakes towards the end of the season - the top 2 had our number from the start, but then everyone else copied them and we finished poorly. As I said earlier it was like PTSD watching their keeper pass straight to an oppo forward on the edge of their box, just the finishing isn't as ruthless at this level.