City v Northampton Sept 7th

A slip is a slip, not really what I'd call bad defending. I think he need a proper run at left back to learn the role. I think hes ok defensively and will improve with experience.

He puts great deliveries in but I'd like to see him make more overlapping runs. Again, I think it's just an experience and decision making thing, but hes an example of a player who you can see getting better through games, as opposed to Anderson and Devine who'll never be better than what they are now.

 

Centre Midfield still a massive issue.

Sad to say Devine is never going to be good enough.

Palmer never really noticed him apart from his constant dreadful set pieces...least he didnt take as many today.

 

I posted the other day that I'd have more time for Bowyers early season approach if he came out and admitted tinkering just to get a sense of what might work but that he was now ready to keep a more settled approach- and the he came out in the press and said it, so fair play!!

In fairness, during august we didn't exactly have flying wingers. We only had Scannell and he looked like he'd lost a yard. Now we have Ismail, Pritchard and Donnelly, genuine pace and width.

 

And, even better, genuine options.

 

Devine, sadly I agree just isn’t good enough.

Akpan, strangely I believe is, or at least I believe there is a player in there. However it hasn’t happened for him with us and I don’t think it ever will, so can’t rely on him.

Anderson again I think there is a player there, but not as a holding midfielder and not just now. Again not to be relied upon as a starter.

 

Akpan, maybe. I think more than anything hes lost his hunger for the game. Just doesnt look interested. Not lost his hunger for a fry up, by the looks of things though.

Anderson, I just dont see it. Not for us. With a very, very optimistic mindset he COULD be an option as an attacking midfielder in a 3.

 

Assuming we now stick with 442, in this case who is the CM pairing if no one comes in?

 

GB's post match thoughts..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07mrlns

 

We were poor in the first half , largely through a lack of tempo and urgency, and a lack of quality in central midfield. But Northampton were no better. They only led through a set piece, any chances or half chances were ours.

Second was better and after the subs, much better.

It wasnt what I'd call a poor performance overall by any means.

Central midfield is a huge problem. I actually think Palmer could be ok, but we'll have a better idea when Cooke plays alongside. Devine isnt good enough, nor is Anderson and while Akpan should be, he isnt. I think AoC now needs to be seen as a CM option.

 

Thing was during the 90 minutes there were far worse going on, another big time Charlie referee who thought this lot won't intimidate me, with 2/3 minutes of extra time left and he starts flashing cards, heard Bowyer went to have a word with the match day assessor.

 

See. Told ya

 

Cooke and Devitt

Cooke and Palmer

Cooke and Akpan.

Anyone apart from Devine and Anderson

 

Which Dawson is that mate ?.

 

I remember when Ismail missed those pens at Avenue, Bowyer said Ismail was full of tricks the the crowd would love if he can produce 70/80 minutes like that week in week out we have a gem, had the full back on toast, shame he cant go back to Walsall and do the same against their full back.

 

Anyone else think Pritchards long throws were better than Mellors? Flatter and with more speed

 

Yes, but also we seem a bit gung-ho when having corners and free kicks high up the pitch.

I've already lost count of the number of goals we've nearly conceded on the counter. It was inevitable whoever the last man was was going to mess one up at one time.

 

If Akpan had come from Farsley, nobody would be saying there's a player in there.

I guess we see what we want to see sometimes.

 

Wood was isolated against superior numbers three times.

One, they badly messed up with the offside when Wood slipped.

Two, when Wood put in the last ditch challenge.

Three, early in the game (15 minutes or so) but I can't quite remember how it went, just that it was two on one.