saintant

Just watched back the highlights and that really was an absolute mess of a performance. The tone was set from their kick-off when they hoisted the, ball rugby style, up to the edge of our box and we reacted like rabbits caught in the headlights. Apart from a spell of perhaps 20 minutes we showed zero composure on the ball and contributed to our own downfall by allowing Lincoln to dictate what sort of a game it would be. Tonda then put an end to that 20 minute spell by taking off our best players and basically invited Lincoln to 'show us what you've got'. Inevitably they obliged by bringing on the 6'8 lump who, against 3 centre backs, was given a free header and we lost two valuable points and gifted one to them (although in fairness that was the least they deserved). If we are unable to pass and move to shift a limited side like Lincoln we are in serious trouble. Not for the first time we played too much horizontally and not enough vertically. We had no ball carrying runners in midfield brave or ready enough to take the fight to them meaning they could comfortably continue their aerial bombardment. Two big home games coming up and, despite our good record at St Marys, I'm not confident we'll win either.

The jury is out but I think they'll return with their verdict very soon.

He didn't. His weak shot was actually going wide but their defender decided to block it anyway.

Agree with this - there's not much to lose other than discovering he's worse than Stephens and Wood but at least we'll find out.

If true that's a huge issue that needs to be addressed quickly.

Just watched Flynn Downes interview and it's refreshingly honest as opposed to some of the bullshit we are fed. He can't contain the fact that he's seriously fuming and accuses the team of not stepping up in both this game and Brum when 1-0 up. We were way off it today against a very limited side. These games happen but to have so many players underperforming is not acceptable.

Think this will finish 0-0 followed by a loss at home to Brizzle City who usually seem to have our number.

No getting away from it we are currently light years behind the side that played so well in last season's unbeaten run. Not sure this squad has the technical ability to be much more than just above average in the Championship. That may get us into the play-offs but so far our levels have been fairly poor.

In view of the display by our centre backs today presumably, if he's such a hot prospect, he starts against Swansea.

Again we bring him on and fail to adapt our game to suit his strengths.

Yet we couldn't beat them or even look like deserving to do so.

Yet to be convinced that JWP isn't going to be part of the problem rather than the solution. Still think he'll prove a poor choice of replacement for Charles.

Not just brainless he's weak as a kitten.

For a side with aspirations for automatic promotion against a team as limited as Lincoln that simply was nowhere near good enough. We scored one worldie but, other than Leo's effort that hit both posts our football was woeful. As we sunk deeper and deeper it was inevitable the 6'8 giant would be presented with a free header. Steaming after watching that pathetic performance and seeing us throw two points away.

A win tomorrow and we'd have been around the top of the league without the points deduction.

Couldn't spot Leo or Larin in the training photos and videos.

Smells like it to me. Anyone know if there's been a bust up behind the scenes perhaps because he was refused a transfer? That is what often leads to these ongoing 'injuries' that never seem to heal.

Hopefully, rather than gambling on no injury to Larin, we are working in training sessions to utilise Mubama to his strengths. Clearly it is pointless knocking long balls around his head because that is not his style of centre forward play. I see him as an alternative to Larin rather than a like for like so presumably Tonda is working on drills at Staplewood. Assuming that is the case he's going to have to start him in a match sooner rather than later to see how it goes. Otherwise Mubama just becomes a sub for 20 minutes with us lumping balls to him which will achieve very little.

In his two games alongside Schlott I think Wood has been pretty good so stick with that and hope the partnership grows.

The difference between them is that Steve Moran stepped up to the first team at a young age 18/19 and immediately showed that he had something special. I think he scored with his first touch on his debut and, soon after, was the PFA Young Player of the Year. Straight away you could tell he was a real talent. Ballard has had some injuries and now, at age 21, he is starting to blossom.

Yeah agree, he's one we'll need to keep an eye on for sure.

4 points a game would be some going 🙂

Would be a huge mistake imo. Leo was well marshalled by the Brum full back but he tends to get the better of most opponents and also provided the assist for our goal.

If Ramsdale stays my guess is we will only ever see Long off the bench if Peretz gets injured during a match. If Peretz is injured then I would think Ramsdale will start in his place.

Mubama has played around 80 minutes league football and scored one goal. That's a decent record considering he's only getting 20 minutes per game. As others have said we need to adapt how we play when he is on the pitch. He's more of an Ollie Watkins (not suggesting he's on the same level) than a battering ram so requires the ball played on the deck into the channels and down the flanks to get the best out of him. Plus he needs more game time as 20 minutes doesn't give him enough time to hone his game or for his team mates to learn to play with him.