Match Thread City at Oldham Athletic - Friendly

But at the same time it doesnt suggest we struggled to score either. 7 best sides in the division averaged 67 goals between them and we scored 64.

Yeh you keep saying Xmas for Cook. Im saying thats a big over estimation. I reckon he back in a shirt October.

 

Having Cook out the side completely changed our style of play. Yes we had some decent recruitment but our attacking approach was transformed. I know people get a bit emotional about Cook but had he played the rest of that season he'd have scored more goals than anyone else managed jan-may but the team as a whole would've scored less. I can only go on what I saw and the way we played, particularly at home.

 

How did Metcalf do today?

 

Pattison and Sarcevic returned too. Plus the additions. It transformed our approach more so than Cook getting injured. We basically had half a new team.

 

Very impressed with him today always looking for the ball can play with both feet and isn't frightened of a tackle as Oldham found out. He did have a couple moments but that was to be expected. We could have unearthed a nice little gem if he plays like that week in week out

 

Actually, it would be a surprise to see him against Wycombe after all. Seems he's resting an injury.

 

Hope he starts next week. Can't wait to have a look at him. Obviously we need to put out our best team but I'd like to see him just to satiate my curiosity.

 

Will be a toss of a coin with him and Pattison who plays alongside power. He has certainly given Alexander a dilemma for next week.

 

Humphrys was very good today showed his power to hold off players and his goal no defender could get near him. I also thought Swan was decent as well spinning off defenders and he has that burst of pace to boot. He maybe should have done better with the header first half but again I like what I see from him overall. I actually think he starts ahead of Pointon next Saturday.

 

What's the situation with Pattison not being involved today? Precautionary or is he struggling?

 

Not sure not seen or heard anything to say he is out injured. There was no kavanagh either.

 

Pattison nursing an achilles injury and Kavanagh has had a sore shin throughout pre season.

Kavanagh to miss next week, not so sure about Pattison.

 

Kavanagh injured and will miss next week's opener

 

Looks like we could be without 5 or 6 players for the opening fixture through injury and suspension on top of the obvious one in Cook

 

Sore achilles. Doesnt seem serious. Kavanagh has knackered his shin and likely to miss next Saturday.

 

Really because i could have swore the previous two home games before his injury resulted in two wins and two decent performances which magically resulted in out two main attacking midfielders being fully fit ............. we probably had to play to Cooks strengths because on the whole we never really had an attacking threat in midfield to help him.

Say what you want but the signs in the Port Vale and Chesterfield games where that it was starting to change already before his injury.

 

I was watching the first play off leg again last night Chesterfield V Walsall on Y/T . Sits in front of the back three to collect the ball from the defenders and can burst forward at pace, at will . I said before, he reminds me of Stuart and watching that again reminds me of Smallwood when he was at Rotherham back in the day . Left and right footed and no shrinking violet . Try watching it if you can he’s no 26

 

Pattison has a sore achilles, apparently. Presumably rested as a precaution.