Match Thread Grimsby Town vs Bradford City Tuesday 13th August 2024 @ 7:45pm

Think he has a good chance in a league game where he is briefed as to whos likely to take it and his stats but didn't seem to have a plan last night.

In shoot outs I'd occasionally take the chance of just staying big (rather than flopping to either side), remember its the penalty takers who are often the nervous ones and so many bank on the keeper diving and either blast or roll it down the middle.

Also Sam often went early lsst night which helped pen taker make their mind up

 

Smallwood arguably our best outfield player on Saturday though.

 

Agree on Oduor. Thought he tried to drive forward and make things happen at times. Needed more effort and energy around him.

Also thought Richards did well going forwards and got a few crosses in. Certainly wasn't as poor as some make out.

The first 15 minutes were interesting with Smallwood receiving the ball from the centre backs and driving into space and passing forwards. That seemingly died off and we went back to long balls again with no benefit.

Second half had more huff and puff about it and we probably earned our equaliser but didn't create much else aside from a Cook header and couple of Walker shots.

One of those games where if Shephard's header had been allowed or the penalty gone in then it could have been different but we still don't seem to create enough clear chances.

 

Why was that goal disallowed by the way, I saw nothing wrong with it. Mind you, the penalty given to us wouldn't be given in 9 out of 10 instances.

A referee clearly not liking any bit of contact in the penalty area it would seem

 

Their keeper tucked his penalty away very well. It nearly got to the stage where it would have been big Sam's turn if Byrne hadn't have missed his.

 

I'm not sure what it is with Kav, first two games he's looked way out his depth. But I don't think he can play the role being asked of him. Two games and he hasn't played alongside the striker, he's playing 10 yards further back. But his link up play and all-round ball play is woeful to put it nicely, so he isn't going to be effective in that role. The amount of simple 5/10 yard passes he's passed to the opposition in the first two games has been shocking.

I said this after last season with Kav and I still stick by it so far, that unless he scores he might as well not be on the pitch because the rest of his game just isn't there yet, or isn't good enough. Like for example, Cook can have a bad game but he's still going to let the defender know he's there, he's still going to challenge for the ball and want balls in the box and might nick a goal or two even if he's having a bad day with the rest of his game. Kav just hasn't been getting involved really at all. Last night for the first half, he did absolutely nothing, second half I think he blasted some 20 yard efforts straight at the defenders a handful of times and that's about it.

 

You poor deluded man!

 

What I've noticed is he seems to have very little awareness of what is going on around him. There were a few times last night and on Saturday when he tried quick little flicks and passes without looking to see if there was actually a city player available to receive the ball and ended up giving it away.

 

Because he had Pattison in the team.

 

Which is why I paid the necessary cash last night...

It's like a new site.....

 

Complete Trash all 90 minutes

 

Seriously aint gonna get upsrt this season for some reason i aint got no enthusiasm at all said at the begining of the season a midtable finish is on the cards and nothing in them two games has changed my mind .............how many season has Smallwood been on set pieces ?????? How many times out of say 100 times does he get it right ??????

 

Couldn't see any problem with the disallowed goal but if more penalties were given like last night it would hopefully reduce the wrestling and blocking off at corners and free kicks

 

David Coote, PL refs are told to ref that way, you'll be used to it three seasons from now

 

Think it was for contact/a foul. He gave a foul on every corner almost. I was about to shout at the screen one time when I saw he gave us the penalty. Feels like there's no advantage of having a corner these days. Just ends up with an opposition free kick.

 

At this level teams feed off set pieces. It is a big part of your game. That is why I am astonished that neither Hughes or GA have identified that we need a set piece specialist someone who can be relied on to put say 50% in good areas for the team to score. If we continue to rely on Smallwood to take free kicks and corners and pens our ability to score goals will be severely limited to the point of non existence. Smallwood role as captain needs questions asking as well. Lots of time he just wanders and leaves players to make their own decisions but especially the younger ones need direction on the field a quite word of reassurance and or a balling out whatever it takes. Yes he used to be a good player, but I am afraid we will flounder while he has these designated roles.

 

I was saying the same thing Fordy, except replacing Gerrard with Ronaldo!
He wants to take everything - free kicks, corners, pens (throw in's next?)
Wouldn't mind if he was any good but hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Happy new season mate!

 

He has to have it in his contracts though i mean why oh why would you keep him on them ?????
All them players in that squad and he is the best in them ?????
Honestly if he is the best out of that squad then a fair few should be embarrassed

 

Load of rubbish. We've literally just handed him a new contract ffs