City v Northampton Sept 7th

Not sure i agree with Bowyers assesment that we were "great from start to finish".

Defence looked solid enough although only really troubled through individual errors.

Midfield no point going over old ground, devine does a lot of stuff that isnt noticed but is clearly limited with the ball and seems to panic. Palmer had probably one of his better games and looked busy without being overly great.

Widemen are going to infuriate, pritchard probably playing under instruction kept coming inside instead of hitting line whilst the connoley/ismael combi looked lively but you can see the wrong option will be taken 70% of the time.

Donaldson and vaughan again a nuisance. Vaughan toiled without real service although should have scored early doors.

Couple of points

Why are we watering a wet pitch particularly that much at half time.maybe one for @wetherbywhaler, Is it a necessity or done under request.

Bowyer could do with arguing with the 4th official less and concentrate on whats going on in front of him.

Are we a little soft or again is it a ploy..we seem to go down and appeal a lot more this year, all a little too easy. Is this counting against us when it comes to refs making a decision

 

From upper kop Ismail appeared to grab hold of their players shirt and remonstrate with him but that was it.

 

I agree at the time it did look a bit like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other but watching the highlights back, I've changed my mind.

 

I agree, Cooke and Palmer with AOC as a defensive mid is an option. Cooke impressed me probably not that difficult following Devine. But hes good on the ball; makes a decent pass and wants to go forward. We were awful first half but we got there just ! This could be a turning point ?

 

Whilst O'Donnell made two very important saves to keep us in the match, I feel that he was mainly to blame for the goal conceded. IMO he should have/could have come for the cross and got something on it to divert it away. This is the one area he needs to work on as it is a flaw that needs sorting.

 

and?

 

Like I already said, I don't think he did anything at all to justify being carded.

 

I see the scroates covered themselves in glory again, will probably end up with us getting another fine. Had their little march down manningham lane post game too. Not a facial hair or brain cell between them

 

Vaughan legendary moment when his number came up to be subbed.

Stood on centre spot making out hadnt heard his name or seen his number......then to top it off when ref said to him to go off made out didnt know which side as on centre spot

 

Bout time we had someone with a bit of character and can actually play...

 

Annoyingly can’t do anything about yellow cards in terms of appeals

 

Shaking hands with the ref to waste time is fantastic shithousery too. He’s never going to book you for good sporting conduct

 

Also the best thing about today was how gutted their number 5 looked at the end.

He was a first class prick!

 

Sorry I have to disagree with your wing men comment Connely second half n particular was skinning the full back and Pritchard put a series of great crosses in. The midfield was poor it’s always Palmers partners that get stick but he offers little and Devine was poor cook did really well when he came on much better

 

I know, I agree with Bowyer that there are some incredibly stupid rules in this game that we love.

 

This is very true, palmer has been the one constant in the midfield without ever lighting it up. Doesnt get stuck in, doesnt create much and throws in some very poor dead balls.. perhaps he will come good with cooke now he has made Devine, Akpan, Gibson and anderson look so poor.

 

Yeah spotted that as well. He gave the Cobblers a taste of their own medicine and they didn't like it.

 

@JonButterfield