Barnsley (H) - August 11th

?

 

I'm as dissapointed as the next man, not by the result but more by the apparent confusion in defence during the first half. As said elsewhere, I'm not sure that formation best suits us. However, it did seem to get changed at half time by the management, at which point it began to look a little more even. Started to exert a little pressure until the second goal went in. I'd like to see see a 442 with Payne playing just behind Doyle. Honestly, I think sometimes you've just got to credit the opposition for a job well done.

 

I counted 4 subs that we made

 

Well playing one man up front for 70 odd minutes at home losing doesn't help Collins cause.

 

Thought the left side was poor. NKP was poor. For me Mellor for Riley more height too - bring in Mcgowan. Killa for NKP. It is a pity we have not brought in a replacement for Chicksen who first half was very poor - chased shadows. His lack of height and lack of physique to get into players leaves us exposed. Thought the midfield was pedestrian too at times chasing back. Doyle up front on his own at home not the answer and pumping balls long to him against their big centre backs. It is early days - yes we are work in progress and there will be only an handful of teams that will play like Barnsley at VP this season. Hope the left side is going to improve too

 

Collins is over complicating things. We are playing in a complex system and have half the team either playing out of position or in unfamiliar roles. Stick to basics.

 

don't think McGowan came on

 

Think MC may well say this to the lads in the post match inquest..
"We know that you believe you understand what you think we said, but we are not sure you realise that what you heard is not what we meant."
That should clear up any misunderstanding. Chrystal!

 

The formation was changed to four at the back after about twenty minutes, which stopped the Barnsley onslaught a bit. Barnsley will won the league, and we were outclassed today.

 

Strange how Collins praised the way Barnsley used their target man Moore, when many say the target man is not for modern day football.
What was noticeable was they way Barnsley got forward in numbers when attacking us, where as Doyle was a lone figure, Barnsley are the marker in this division as many have said but to be at home and not have the Barnsley keeper make one save is not good enough.

 

Last season? with a completely different squad and management team...

 

The bbc stats ,say we did not have an shot on target .

 

My head hurts.

 

Maths not your strongest point then mate!

 

Somehow Collins has to work out how to get Seedorf, Payne and Scannell on the field and have a partner for Doyle. We looked far better with Seedorf on but Doyle was still isolated. Going four at the back gives an extra body upfield. Not the end of the world but not keen on watching much more performances like that.

 

I don't care who starts next week, McGowan, Killa or even fecking Isherwood, NKP is a disaster waiting to happen

 

McGowan?

 

A fully fit McGowan should be starting for sure.

 

We only made 3 subs ,McGowan didn't come on.

 

3 points after 2 games-any city fan would have taken that. Imagine if we had drawn both games? We would have been pretty happy.

Barnsley were more organised and looked sharper on the break.

I am unsure about 3 at the back and Chicksen isn't doing himself any favours with his below average performances. McGowan surely is a shoe in now?

Wright looked scared to pass to his left for some strange reason.

Payne tried to make things happen but was crowded out and became inneffective but did try to make things happen.

Doyle was given a thankless task today and his tackles late on showed his frustration.

Scannell looks a tad unfit as does Akpan.

Seedorf has pace and little else it seems.

O'Connor and Mellor will struggle against pace as they did today. Tgeir second goal came down that side and their player breezed into the pen area like we were'nt there.

And it was definitely NOT a penalty or a corner.