Kai Brunker

We were clearly at different games.. he ran his bollocks off and was a constant thorn in the side of their defence

 

About 75 mins in, I was thinking "where's Charlie gone?". Perhaps my analogy of "shocking" was a bit harsh, but in my view he just shouldn't be used as a battering ram. Takes all the energy out of his game, and prevents him from making forward runs. There were a few occasions when Gillead had the ball, and there was no centre forward in sight. Charlie spends most of the game getting tangled up in centre backs legs. Would love to see him making more surging runs. Don't get me wrong, I like him, but its gotta be demoralising for him to just have his back to the goal for 90% of the game. Hopefully putting one in the net - being Johnny on the Spot like he was at the beginning of the season will lift his game a bit.
Kai takes some of the pressure of him, but his lack of positioning skills still means that Charlie has to do most of the work. There was an instance in the first half where him and Kai were both going for the same ball, and bounced off each other. That partnership is certainly "work in progress". I think in Jones we've got the perfect foil, but sadly his injury record seems to prevent that.

 

Don’t think he played quite as well as Thursday. But you maybe have to give credit to the centre halves for that. He still gave his all and both him and Wyke made those two centre halves work so hard they were definitely puffing at the end.

 

Can't argue that he looks out of his depth at times, but compared to the strikers that have come before him like McCartan, Patrick, Poleon etc, he makes Wyke's job far easier. His physicality alone is enough to do that and I think he has helped Wyke restore his desire and confidence in recent games.

He might not be the answer long term, but short term Bruenker is necessary and I'd keep him in the starting line up.

 

The thing for me with regards to Wyke & Kai. They were playing too far apart from each other. Hopefully Simon & the coaching staff can work with them both if they are to be used together for the remainder of this campaign.

Kai needs to be learn't how to hold the ball up also, so many opportunities to do so last night and he lost possession. All a learning curve though for the lad

 

I understand what you are saying,Charlie does play very deep almost midfield at times so he isn’t always there to get on the end of things. I have been very critical of lately and rightly so but last night I think is overall play was excellent

 

That's where we are at the minute though.. no point trying to pretend anything else.. we're massivley low on confidence and not playing well so we need to have a up and at em attitude and if that means being used as a battering ram for a few games then so be it.

Not to take go over old ground (no pun intended) but the pitch is just shocking so trying to do anything other than get in forward must be so difficult

 

He is a lovable lump and gives all in his game, He has come from a different level and country and it must be difficult at times for him, However I think a good pre-season and we might begin to see him improve next season and become an assett, Even now his defensive headers are helping clear the ball at set pieces which we have struggled to do

 

The only useful aspect of Kai was taking some of the pressure off Charlie. For a big guy he struggled (failed?) to win a single header, committed a few fouls including that numpty edge of the box one, and did indeed run round like a headless chicken. But you can't give the lad less than 110% for effort - he was knackered well before he was subbed.

Wyke on the other hand getting criticism for last night, WTF? Watch his game, excellent lay-offs, great through balls - including the assist for Lund's goal, and finally being alert enough after 90-odd minutes' graft to poach a goal for himself. His best game in a long time.

 

I think the blood and thunder approach lifts the crowd. The atmosphere last night even with a lowish crowd was great reminiscent of some of the midweek nights under Parky

 

Plenty of players like that about in the English lower leagues who already know the game and culture. That's why I can't see him staying around next season. He's only in the team because we don't have anyone else in that mould (yet have been crying out for one all season). Hopefully he gets loaned out and comes back with more wider attributes to his game.
Like you, I've taken a shine to him, and I certainly can't dismiss his enthusiasm. Good luck to the lad.

 

It was just the opposite though on Thursday where I thought he carried Wyke

 

It was like watching pin-ball leading up to the second goal... I don't mind a scrappy win like that though... hope it continues for the rest of our games and we might, just might be in with a shot. It's a long shot, but I'd rather we push on rather just peter out. At least we would have some positives pushing on into next season.

 

I thought Wyke did quite well to be honest. had a decent game.

but I've still seen nothing from Kai to lead me to question my initial assessment of his glaring lack of ability. no where near good enough for this level.

 

He has a lot to learn and he was quieter last night. Against two very good centre halves but he showed Wyke the way on Thursday.