Most liked posts in thread: Opening Home Game vs Cambridge United Aug 3rd

Lack of balance, like I said.

Squad needs work but I can’t help think that bowyer didn’t give us the best chance with that team

 

If we want to sell him I'd take him out of the shop window based on today

 

Spot on saves me posting much

Totally wrong selection, Gibson has never been good enough, he couldn’t get in a Stevenage side and all of a sudden because he’s had a good pre season when he’s had time on the call he’s good enough for our first team

Anderson does absolutely nothing to influence a game

Doyle a number 10 do me a favour

Back 4 as is

, Scannell, Palmer, Akpan, Ismail (when fit)
Donaldson Vaughan

Simple really !

 

Vaughan and Donaldson played well but carried little threat. Aside from the overhead kick, Vaughan was disappointing in terms of finishing.

The midfield wasn't great, and the defence was ponderous.

But.

Over 90 minutes we were physically dominant, and had the bulk of play. We had little to break down Cambridge, which is an issue, but man for man we were better than them by some way - and we will win more games than we lose.

Palmer was poor imo.

 

Gibson was very hot and cold, just isn't ready mentally for regular football. He needs to learn the game.

Anderson was very poor on and off the ball.

Palmer's nearer passes nearly opened doors, but I felt the side relied on him too much when he actually wasn't producing anything. Fair play to him for taking it on, but with that much of the ball I thought he should have done much better. And his set pieces were dirge.

 

Scannell didn't make any difference.

I'm worried by his sheer lack of output.

You're only too good for a division if you're making and or scoring goals that win games - very concerned Scannell will not be that guy, and for a heck of a wage.

Rather have pace on the wings with intent, like a younger Marshall or a Reid.

 

Quite right it's 2 points dropped whether it's the first or last match of the season
We drew at home to Cambridge who finished 21st last season and only a couple of points from relegation Coupled with the fact that they had 10 men for 30 minutes it's a dreadful result for a team expected and tipped to be champions fans have every right to be disgruntled Early days I know but still lots of work to be done

 

We just need 4 teams to go into admin and go to -12 points and we might stay up.......
From start to finish that was garbage....

 

Henley was clues at LB too, don't think I saw him use his left foot once. That one was the most bizarre decision of them all from Bowyer. Longridge has to start next week.

 

Well that was an awful game. It's beyond me why Bowyer wants to play 4-3-3 with these players. That system demands players with great pace, skill, flexibility and vision, something only available in the higher divisions. Today we had no creativity whatsoever and had no chances to speak of. The midfield three were terrible and didn't seem to have any idea how they were supposed to play. Doyle was also terrible and why he's asked to play a role he is completely
incapable of playing is bizarre. Solid enough at the back but Henley was very poor and how he was picked ahead of Longridge or Riley I don't know. Richards- Everton is a very willing lad but his lack of pace and skill will cost us in some games. Mellor again was very willing but looked like a carthorse at times. Hard to judge the front two as they had so little to work with but neither suggested he will terrify defences in this division. Early days for sure but I was bored witless this afternoon and there are some alarm bells starting to be heard.

 

Bronco, we have some fans who are knobs but to be honest so does every other team

 

Anyone who thinks the "overreaction" on here is at the back of one game needs their head testing. It's an accumulation of frustration and disappointment for the best part of 2 years and today's game (by all accounts as I wasn't there) seems like another case of here we go again. It might be harsh on the new lads but the patience this season is going to wear thin and expectations rightly or wrongly will be very high.

 

How can we distinguish being a dick from trying to organise his teammates when we are in the stands though? Can you hear from your seat? Im in top tier so can’t.

O’Connor had a good game today. I dislike him given what went on last season with the mutiny under Hopkin, but this season the slate should be wiped clean. He made some key tackles today and played a lovely long ball at one point, straight to his man.

 

I was really encourage by the improvement in his overall attitude and performance, but you could see the old Gibson in him. Anytime he picked the ball up on the edge of the box all he wanted to do was shoot, despite there being several easy passes staring him in the face. I rate his confidence to shoot but he has to pick his moments much better.

Moving him into the centre is gonna benefit him massively as it forces him to work his arse off and be involved in the game. When he does that he's got the potential to be a bloody good player.

 

Read all the comments so far, as ever, differences of opinion, but that’s how it goes! FWIW - mine are:
O’Donnell - not a lot to do, but, composed when needed. I thought he looked to pick a pass when kicking out, and, got it right most of the time.
O’Connor - again, composed. BRE - enjoyed his tackling, but think he’ll always have a mistake in him. Full-backs had a thankless task for 75 minutes, with barely any midfield support. However, didn’t like that Henley and Longridge were cutting back to their right foot. Left-side had nothing.
Palmer - I actually thought he had a reasonable game - swap him for where Doyle (let go or put on the bench) was trying to play and he could easily pick out through-balls.
Vaughan and Donaldson - I think they’ll get the better of most defences.
Anderson and Gibson - no thanks.

Overall, pleased with the effort, if not the execution. Obvious after 5 minutes that width was needed. Wouldn’t have wanted any of their players in our team.

 

What about the only incitefull through pass in the whole match that set Vaughan up at the start of the second half.We really struggled after they had a man sent off and at the same time Anderson went

 

Devine played further forward when he came on Anderson sat back more and I thought he tackled pretty well personally I was disappointed in Palmer no doubt he is a good footballer with a good pass on him but he was far to deep for me. And for the most part his free kicks and corners were a disappointment

 

That bit of skill by Vaughan is something we’ve seen all too rarely. But in typically City fashion it didn’t make the blindest bit of f*cking difference

 

I hope both Bowyer and the players learn from today. Next week, we need to see the correct players playing in a system which suits them. But likewise the players need to learn fast how to break down a team like we saw today because another 20 teams will come to VP and do the same.

 

You can be pissed off at the performance and result but also still be optimistic about the season