saintant

Teams have worked him out to some extent.

We seem to be playing it about at the back more today and it's not working. Would like to see Peretz clear long a bit more and us getting men around Stewart looking for second ball.

Said it before but our passing is really poor.

Not great and, if I'm honest, they look slightly the better side. Leo has been poor. A draw is no use so we might as well throw more men forward and go for it in the second half. Could go either way and a defeat wouldn't be a surprise based on first half.

The one thing going for this guy is that he has a massive incentive to show the Canadian boss what he can do over the rest of this season. Having barely played he is sure to be rusty but he'll need to get whatever act he has together very quickly and start showing he can do the business if he wants to get into the Canada squad for the World Cup. That's my biggest positive for him.

Need a fast start today. Intent from the first whistle, no old man walking football required.

Your memory is fading. Last 10 meetings we've won 4 drawn 4 and lost 2.

I think that was Roerslev.

Clearly the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing 🙂

Eckert said everyone available at the presser I just watched. Where has this come from? I originally predicted a 3-1 win to us but also just watched highlights of their 0-0 draw away to Hull - they looked quite tidy, played some good football and deserved to win so this is likely to be tougher than I thought.

No need to hide. I have been open that I have big doubts about this guy but will be delighted if he proves me wrong and will be on here singing his praises. I just don't see him doing well for us going by all the evidence but maybe I'll get a pleasant surprise as he performs well and bangs in a few goals.

Spot on. We don't need another small, slow bloke who gets knocked off the ball, can't tackle or intercept and passes sideways and backwards. He had good moments for us in his prime but isn't what we need now.

With Bree and Stewart we have a bit more physicality about us. We've been bullied a lot less in the last 3 games.

Agree - we'd probably conceded less and score more if we tried it. Keeper has space to catch the ball and can then launch it over the top to Fellows and Scienza.

It's all about opinions. His figures are way better than Scienza or Jander.

Provided he does what he's paid for and what he was brought here to do he'll be cracking that whip all day long. If he doesn't then, same as every other player, he'll be called out. That's how it works at every club in the land.

There's top quality, poor quality something in between, players with potential who'll never come good, players with potential who will live up to it, players just needing a chance to be discovered etc etc....in short, there's many different options out there as well as those of quality.

Nah, listen to the rose tinted glasses brigade - in other words it'll be a doddle for you so no need to try very hard. I'd say I'm a realist rather than a doubter.

Agree he was the main cause of our problems. However, we failed miserably to identify the fact that you need a big, physical side to give you any chance of surviving in the Premier league. Sure, you need some players with stand out ability but you have to be physically equipped to compete and we were miles off so were very easy to play against. If we go up again I hope lessons have been learned. We are at last introducing more strength and power into the side but it's been neglected for far too long.

Agree - he's the best footballer at the club by miles. Hopefully the side is now settled in the 4231 system (not that systems have a real bearing on anything) and his team mates will get more in tune with Azaz. If they do his numbers will start to look very impressive. Basically he's too good for those playing alongside him.

Jumpers for goalposts at Staplewood today.

It's nice work if you can get it 🙂

Where did we go wrong then?

I thought he looked decent in his highlights reel to be honest.

If all fit stick with the same eleven that started against Stoke. Give these blossoming partnerships a chance to grow. Should be a routine win at home but not taking anything for granted. 3-1 to us is my considered prediction.