saintant

Didn't pick up that vibe to be honest. He was asked about dropping Stephens for Quarshie against Leicester but explained it was to combat the pace of their front three - not sure WBA are as quick up front.

Yeah, we've been through some shit of late so it is great to feel positive again and enjoy watching us play.

Can Tonda complete a clean sweep of 3 wins this week? Last time he missed out due to an under par performance at Millwall without Leo. We've beaten Brum and West Brom plus Norwich look like games we should win but upsets often happen. If he does get the two victories that will make an incredible 7 wins out of 8 and have us right back in the mix for a top six place. Top 2 by the end of the season seems too much of a mountain to climb but there are lots more points up for grabs so never say never. Let's crack on with another two wins this week.

You'd think it could be corrected or at least improved upon. However, if Bazunu hasn't grasped the positional aspect of goalkeeping by now it is unlikely he ever will. The Gray shot may well have gone in even if he'd been positioned correctly and shuffling across - if this had been the case we'd all be saying no keeper saves that. It's largely what goes before his dive that is wrong and causes many to question him particularly on shots from range.

I'm not sure why he is so close to his near post. Gray has cut in from the left and Bazunu should already have been shuffling across towards his left post. He's left most of the goal for Gray to aim at.

This is my point and his poor positioning often makes it look as though he had no chance to save a shot so he is cut some slack. He's often reactive rather than proactive. It's relatively small things but positioning and being proactive are vital in the skill set of a good keeper.

It will be interesting to see how Tonda treats FA Cup matches. I think our strongest team could give most sides a game especially at St Marys. However, I suspect we'll field a weakened side now that we are beginning to close in on the promotion chasing pack.

Agree. He'd be more inclined to be a constant ball recycler and he was never great at tackling or closing down so not for me.

Yeah it's a tricky balance and, as you rightly point out, Tonda tends to make quite early substitutions which weaken our offensive options. Maybe we need some additions in January that will address this issue and give us more of an attacking threat off the bench. Or perhaps there's a player or two he knows from the U21s. I'm not sure we'll ever be a side that can close out games by defending because it inevitably leads to us being pinned in our own half and panic setting in. Attack is the better option but we need the personnel to maintain a forward threat until the final whistle. I believe good tactics can play a part because gaps should open up for us when opponents are chasing the game. Can't say I'm ever comfortable or confident when we drop deep to protect what we have.

Yes and much credit to Tonda for the way he's set us up to get the maximum out of our flair players. I always believed they would prove good signings but it's taken a new coach to assess how they should be utilised and to make things tick. The football recently is some of the best we've produced in ages. Because things have been so bad it is hard to make yourself believe it's not going to suddenly go pear shaped again but I'm beginning to let my guard down and hope we are truly at the start of a golden period under Eckert.

Good post and I fully agree. The fast free flowing football we are now playing is a joy to watch. We're scoring for fun with plenty of goals from open play. Defensively we'll never be perfect but the fans want to see the type of attacking football we're producing and Tonda deserves much credit for that. Sure, we'll concede goals and lose games but I'm now confident this side can outscore most opponents on the day.

This guy gets better and better. He does everything well and with efficiency. Others may get the plaudits but Caspar is the one who makes the team tick.

Think we'd be better off pushing forward for more goals because attack has always been the best form of defence for us. No need to drop back - be brave because the oppo will leave gaps while chasing the game so dropping everyone back just plays into their hands.

Not convinced we need JWP.

We'll obviously differ on this which is fair enough. From my point of view Bazunu was too close to his near post thus leaving a big space to his left. As the shot went in close to the right post he gave himself too much ground to make up so had no chance of making a save. Had he positioned himself further to the left he at least gives himself a fighting chance but he left practically the whole goal to shoot at. I'd love him to come good but I just don't believe he has the tools to make a top quality keeper and will continue to cost us goals.

Think it was when Manning fell over, claimed a foul and Brum almost scored with a deflected shot that Bazunu, having already dived, just managed to stop with his leg

I have to disagree because I saw signs that made me think he'll do much better under Tonda and we need to factor in that he hasn't played much. I'd like to cut him some slack and see how he does in the next few games.

6-0

Tonda deserves enormous credit for the way we are playing. We are creating good chances in open play for the first time in a long while. I am sure he is aware that we need to improve defensively but has to be careful not to take away any of our attaking impetus. We are scoring goals for fun and exciting to watch. There will be bumps in the road but equally what a vast improvement he's overseen in only 6 games so we may get even better.

I saw us play through the middle a few times and we caused them to panic. Don't know if it was a tactical ploy but we seemed to be getting a pair of quick players close together so that one could look to get in behind and it worked a treat.

Ah yes. Not sure it was a much better chance than AA or Archer because it came to him quickly so he was forced to react in a split second.

Don't remember them missing an open goal.

As did we to be fair. AA had one saved and Archer was clean through and keeper saved one.

Another goal and assist today.

The progress in 6 games is remarkable. We should get better and better but certainly need to defend calmly and more efficiently. Going forward we are good to watch.