Most liked posts in thread: Burton (H) - August 21st

Spot on. Looked dreadfully unfit and was hoping of much better things

 

Totally agree

 

Is that Akpan you are describing here?

 

I'm delighted and amazed in equal measure.

 

Absolutely; we're gonna need every point to stay up this year.
Credit to the team though - Tough situation and won the match.

 

Think the long ball game from the huge gaping hole in centre mid when first half especially AO’C or McG had the ball up to half way and not one of Akpan or Wright we’re in a position to take it, would like to see the stats of passes from central defence -> forwards compared to central midfield-> forwards.
Payne’s biggest threat shock came when he was inside, MC was patting himself on the back last night about people being surprised he was out wide, but for me it just wasted him and for the goal and just previous he was central.
Must mention how nice it is in Scannell to have a wide man we can trust in doing something consistently with the ball.

 

I was right at the other side of the ground but for anyone closer, was Doyle's header in the first half an absolute sitter that he missed? Surely he should be putting them away?

 

We'll smash a very fragile Wycombe to bits

 

They can’t head a ball to save their lives. CIA h should realise if you play with wingers you need a big chap at times to get their head on the crosses or don’t cross the ball !!!!!

 

Yeah rite

 

Just watched the highlights.
He defo should of at least hit the target.
I think he miss timed the header and it just brushed his head

 

I wasn't praising Wright I was just proving what we can do in that space, I thought Wright and Chicksen were both poor last night. Akpan very hit and miss and Miller ran his heart out but just looks like a smaller Bruenker. We need to see some movement in the loan market before Saturday for me. Wycombe may not have won yet but they are scoring goals and Kashket seems to have found his confidence again, if they score 1 or 2 I'm not sure we can out score them with this lot yet

 

A very lucky win. Burton had comfortably more shots but only 1 on target. Our 3 on target was the best so far, which is a little worrying. 7 on the mark from 4 games is still probably relegation form. The goal looked a bit scuffed and/or slightly deflected but we deserve our share of luck now and then. We were extremely reliant on Scannel, who was great. Slightly better crossing and getting back more would have him pushing 10/10. Payne tending to drift in a lot also tended to upset the defensive formation and left space out wide, though he had a decent game and got a rare goal. He just needs to move wider as soon as we lose possession to stop early breaks down our left and reduce confusion about defensive duties elsewhere. The rest of the team was a rather mixed bag but most showed some sign of improvement. We will need better performances throughout the team to say in the top half but there was enough there to carry some optimism forwards. I do hope we can stick to the simpler 4-4-2 until we work out the best players and they can get used to each other more. Once we better understand strengths and weaknesses, we can experiment with formation a bit. Not great overall but a lot better. Onwards and upwards.

 

well we won, but we were very fortunate. a better side may have punished our lapses.
defensively we are shaky at best - I still disagree wholeheartedly with leaving out Kilgallon. he would improve the defence currently.
Josh Wright has not hit the ground running, has he? it's starting to look like the good campaign he had with Gills was a one off, rather than the norm. him and Akpan are far too deep - and Akpan, for a big lad, isn't particularly tough or strong. get stuck in man.

Scannell was good, carried the ball well, pace and trickery, some of his crossing wasn't the best though. Payne was terrific. Doyle looks anonymous, we need to work out how to bring him into the game, whether thats with who he plays with upfront, or the service he gets. he's a goal scorer and we need to be giving him chances.
Miller didn't impress me - ran his tail off though.

not entirely sure with bringing Gibson on on the right - when he can't use his right foot. he struggled.

3 points is 3 points but we need to improve to keep picking up points.

 

Good game, and great three points. Bit fortuitous, but remember it will take a lot more games to get them playing as team consistently. The central midfield is a off the pace, but it will come together. I might be the only one glad that Akpan is ducking out of some challenges, but given his history and reputation he needs to do this until he is fully fit.

Wycombe will be no pushover given their performance at Plymouth, but you never know. Beast versus Akpan will be interesting.