Shrewsbury Town (A) - Saturday 4th

Really impressed by city and Collins today, thoroughly professional performance.

Payne is a class act, Shrewsbury couldn't get near him, excellent finish too. Scannell worked his tits off 1st half, finally got put out wide 2nd half and like Payne they couldn't touch him.

What a player O'Connor is though, absolute Twit of a centre half, wins everything and doesn't care if he goes through the player first. If he's not in the league 1 team of the season I'll be shocked.

I'm a big critic of Chicksen but he was very good today, not much going forward but much better defensively. Mellor looked much more comfortable at RB than centre half. Riley I thought was very good too, got up and down well and a good tackler.

As for the game, I thought we dominated the first and final 30 minutes, but got sloppy and let them back in it 15 minutes either side of HT. Collins played 3 different systems in that game, and with every change came a positive impact on the pitch. Very good to see. As the game went on we wasted time well, drew fouls and managed the game very well which is something we haven't done well since parky left.

The togetherness in this side is there to see, O'Donnell's reaction after the goal a prime example.

Delighted with that, great result, top atmosphere by the city fans.

 

We played well - especially going forward. Missed a couple of golden chances and got lucky a couple of times too.
Great result against a strong team away from home but WOW we need to be better to win the division.

 

You're right. I'm sorry. I'll put in more effort next Sat'di. Sorry boss.

 

have to agree but it's a sound start. We can only get better as the squad gels. I'm a lot more hopeful than I have been for some time.

 

Now you are stating the obvious....

Just enjoy a hard earned win instead of griping.

NOTHING wrong with grinding out a win especially against Shrewsy

 

Good review. I thought we lacked a bit of energy towards the end. I have a couple of gripes taking chances and defensively but I'm a Huge fan and always want better.
Superb result against Shrews though away from home. They'll be right up there at the end for sure.

 

Hopefully with many more to come.....

 

For crying out loud! It's the first game of the season, we aren't up to speed yet and the team are still getting to know each other but guess what? We still won away from home in hot weather against a very good side!

 

I want to see you at level 20 in the yoyo test in blazing sun. Until then you're dropped!

 

Thanks a sensible write up... nice of you to confirm that Chickson wasn’t “shite” after all.

 

Looks like he’s eaten google today BB!**headbang

 

Great result, a real confidence booster to the team, the fans and the club in general. Delighted with that!

Next week will be a bigger test I imagine against a side who will be up there come the back end of the season.

 

O'Connor was my MoM, fantastic throughout. Fair play to Chickson though, had a torrid time first half then turned it around, and though he was excellent in the holding midfield role of all things. Wasn't really a bad performance over the 90.

Just a comment on the last 7-8 minutes, Shrewsbury didn't have a sniff and barely touched the ball fantastic man management from the players. Good subs from Collins as well, helped us retake the impetus when they were getting on top, and very positive changes.

Still a lot to improve on but you'd expect that first game of the season, haven't enjoyed a football match as much for a long while, you can keep your World Cup semi finals.

 

Stop over reacting. There is nothing wrong with his post. I agree with your comment in that we haven’t played together and the first half showed that. Once we took off Riley we had a better balance, i’ll give credit to Collins for going two uo top and replcing an ineffective Riley. The second half certwinly gave us something to work on but we will come up against better opposition than Shrewsbury.

 

All fun

 

Next week will definitely be a tougher test imo, so really glad we got the 3 points on the board today. I wouldn't be surprised if we lost next week. Put it this way, I'd take a draw right now and be happy with it.

 

How did Akpan and Wright play not seen either name mentioned.

 

You always did have a problem with varied opinions....

 

Both were blowing after 75 mins. Decent performances, some good stuff, some bits of sloppiness and not imposing themselves. I think both will do well here though.

 

They were solid. Wright is tidy on the ball and doesn’t shy away from a tackle. Akpan does the dirty side of the game, intercepting passes, getting a foot in and keeps his passes pretty simple. They look a solid CM pairing but were both knackered by the end. We need aReeves back to give us another CM option.