Seriously what are you expecting against quality Championship sides?Another game we didnât score. Again.
4,286 (290 away)Does anybody know what todayâs attendance was?
Sure the tannoy bloke said 5,286? Perhaps I heard him wrong! Decent turn out, and a bit of atmosphere as well.4,286 (290 away)
Yep. It certainly feels better, the shape is better, we look more composed. Time will tellA much improved second half display but I still donât see much of an improvement from last year if Iâm honest.
Thatâs 3 games against league opposition, no clean sheets. For 2 Against 5.
Has Danny Mayorâs end product changed: no. Are we keeping the goals out: no. Are our set plays improved: no (gone backwards on tonightâs showing). Are our strikers banging in goals: no. Have we cured our propensity to give away possession in dangerous areas easily: no (first minute tonight). Have we any answer when the ball is with Cooper and the opposition press our defence: no. I could go on âŚ
Yes, the last three games have been against Championship teams but the top 6-8 in league 1 will be of similar standard to Swansea and Bristol and weâve fallen short.
8 of the players involved tonight were involved in the 6-0 home defeat to Charlton earlier in the year so we canât expect miracles I suppose.
I also donât buy âthis is only about fitnessâ. Weâll have wanted at least a draw from one of those 3 games. Psychologically those 3 defeats will not have helped us going into the Rotherham game.
Perhaps my expectations are too high? I donât know? I just feel Iâm being slightly mugged off by what Iâm seeing replayed over and over at the moment. Iâve seen little in pre season to quash the bookies ârelegation favouritesâ tag ⌠so itâs not just me being negative about our prospects.
Too harsh?
City are not a decent Championship side - they were lucky not to be in the relegation fight last season. They went badly backwards last season.Seriously what are you expecting against quality Championship sides?
A commendable display against an organised opposition who penned as in for much of the first half. We significantly improved when Gillesphey and Ennis came on. Gillesphey was particularly adept at playing the diagonal or channel ball and I think has the edge over Galloway as a starter. He also is a danger at corners, if we can get them past the first man!
I cannot see Jephcott as a starter. Hardie offers pace over the top and Ennis is as good with his back to goal as he is creating chances with his pace and twists and turns. We have a real player on our hands there. Good to see Danny and Jordan linking up well. Camara was energetic and has a remarkable ball retrieving ability but some of his control and passing was sloppy. Cooper looked assured apart from conceding the penalty. His dead ball is prodigious and he is increasingly comfortable with the ball at his feet.
On the evidence of the pre-season we look as though we are a likely top ten side and we won't be looking over our shoulders at the relegation places. Our acquisitions are all an improvement on last season and I think we can look forward to a season of progression.
You could no doubt say that of the vast majority of teams.Agree we are better than last year but we are coming up short of the top teams and the play offs unless we get a few top draw loanees in as starters and not just squad players.
Thought both wing backs were not very adventurous tonight but maybe that reflects a cautious approach v a championship team and we will be braver against league 1 teams.
Houghton had a decent game but still think we lack an enforcer and physical presence and will get bullied by better teams.
2 or 3 more quality players and we could really challenge
I donât disagree, but it must be hard for Lowe when he needs goals - and one of our strikers has scored more League One goals than the other two combined.I cannot see Jephcott as a starter. Hardie offers pace over the top and Ennis is as good with his back to goal as he is creating chances with his pace and twists and turns. We have a real player on our hands there. Good to see Danny and Jordan linking up well. Camara was energetic and has a remarkable ball retrieving ability but some of his control and passing was sloppy. Cooper looked assured apart from conceding the penalty. His dead ball is prodigious and he is increasingly comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Your favourite, Hardie, got one on target but the keeper made a good save. I am disappointed with Jephcottâs one on one not being lifted over the keeper and Camara gets into good positions but canât shoot and Ennis looks great in build ups but also needs to sharpen his shooting.Yes who needs to worry about getting shots on target. Completely irrelevant of course.