Sheaf Saint

No, I don't think it was either. It was very clumsy and easily avoidable, which is probably why the ref gave it, but it certainly wasn't a cynical attempt to prevent a certain goal that warranted a red card.

Not for his goals, obviously. He had a clear header in the 6 yard box from a (for once) decent Cedric cross, and fluffed it completely. But his presence unnerves defenders and makes teams reluctant to commit too many players forward. It's telling that once he went off, we started facing a lot more pressure because we had no pacy outlet. When our lone striker is someone as slow as Austin, defenders can confidently step forward a bit more to join the attack.

Still early days of course, but a -8 GD after only 4 games doesn't bode well for them at all.

Yep. Proper MOTM performance today. Put through the wringer in the 2nd half after we scored, and when Austin missed that penalty it looked inevitable we would throw it away again. But rode out the pressure and the break for our second was a thing of beauty. Nice to be feeling very happy at 5pm on a saturday for once.

6 mins injury time. Torturous!

Looks like he was trying to get his hand out of the way and came off his knee. Never a penalty.

Moving to 3 at the back with Bertrand slotting into CB perhaps?

Can't believe that. Awful penalty.

Long has to do better there. Completely free header in the 6-yard box.

Controlling the game. Much the better side but no goals to show for it. We all know which way this is going to go don't we.

Anybody got any idea if there will be any streams available tonight? I'm guessing not.

I seem to recall in one of Koeman's seasons with us that he ended a run of very poor results by switching to a back 3 at home to Everton and we smashed them 3-0. Obviouls y they are a different looking team now, and so are we, but I don't think we should just abandon the idea of using a back 3 completely. I reckon there will be occasions where it can be used effectively, but it depends on the personnel. Cedric was completely ineffective as a RWB yesterday, and I would feel happier if Yoshi was one of the three CBs. Some people have been calling for Stephens to be tried in a CDM role. I wonder if there is a way that we can set up to switch between the 3-4-2-1 and the 4-2-3-1 without needing to make subs to do it. Stephens can step forward into CDM with Bertrand and Cedric slotting back into a more traditional full back position, freeing up Lemina to move to a more advanced role.

Yeah he made a couple of awful errors yesterday but he also had a few really good moments. I remember a really good interception in the 2nd half to prevent a clear scoring chance. I know he has his detractors, but I'm sure there is a good player in there if he can learn to cut out the howlers like Yoshida has.

There was another moment where he threw himself at full stretch to intercept a superb cross and prevent an almost certain goal. I think he has all the early makings of a cult hero for us.

I think your username sums him up nicely right now!

Vestegaard already looking like he could become a cult hero for us.

Good chance for Stephens there. Could/should have done better perhaps?

Gabbi coming on for Austin

Looking so much better now since the shape change. I hope Hughes has learnt a lesson and never attempts that monstrosity of a formation again.

Ings getting straight into the action there. Very positive. Let's see how well we cope with this change of formation. Can't be worse than how we started I guess.

Just not enough quality to do anything with it.

A sustained spell of pressure from us at last.

Not his biggest fan but credit where it's due. Good work there from Redmond to get to the ball and get a cross in.

Decent header from Lemina. Comfortable for Hart. At last we look like we actually have some desire to get forwards and try and score, but the quality still isn't there. And as I type, we nearly get carved open on the break.

Reminds me of that goal Austin scored against us a few years ago while playing for QPR.