Din
Well-Known Member
Well that was a waste of 2 hours of my life.
- Status
Dubai Mark
Active Member
Elsewhere so many seem to be very happy with a point today...................WELL I"M NOT!!!!!!!!!!!
Gorlestongirl
New Member
I'm not sure whT to think. I'd have preferred Jerome to start, but it seems he had a hamstring problem, and the last thing we need is him out for a long time. It worked well with Grabban as lone striker at the beginning of the season. So I don 't think Neil's selection was too far out. A point away is not bad, but not enough to lighten up a miserable Saturday afternoon.
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
So, how did Bassong do?
Yellow Fever
New Member
It didn't look like a line-up likely to produce goals and it didn't, not really even coming close except for Redmond's shot saved in the top corner in the first half. On the plus side, the CB pairing of Martin and Bassong were solid, though Brum offered very little in attack either. Other than that a poor game by both sides. Also why the late substitutions? Jerome came on after 70 minutes. Murphy after 76 minutes and Hooper with 2 minutes left.
Yellow Fever
New Member
He and Martin had a very good partnership at CB which was about the only highlight really.
ZLF
Well-Known Member
Positives were seb back at cb and tettey sheilding gave us a great platform and the 4141 is starting to bed in
Negatives were that Elliott and Wes didn't offer any creativity and grabban was quiet covering Jerome's tweaked hamstring. Olsson continued to leave space behind him but tettey and seb covered it well.
Tweak the front five again and hopefully we can add creativity to a tighter defence.
Assuming fitness I would keep the back five and go
Redmond Wes howson bj
Jerome
for the front five
Negatives were that Elliott and Wes didn't offer any creativity and grabban was quiet covering Jerome's tweaked hamstring. Olsson continued to leave space behind him but tettey and seb covered it well.
Tweak the front five again and hopefully we can add creativity to a tighter defence.
Assuming fitness I would keep the back five and go
Redmond Wes howson bj
Jerome
for the front five
G
GJP
Well-Known Member
I pretty much agree, ZLF. Unless we happen to sign a good wide left player.
How about Hooper alongside or off Jerome instead of Hoolahan?
How about Hooper alongside or off Jerome instead of Hoolahan?
Surgeryman
New Member
If Jerome was slightly carrying a knock then that explains dropping our top scorer.
Good to see Bassong back.
Don't rate Grabban or Whitaker yet they started.
Russell Martin at CB. For crying out loud NO!
Little created and sounded a game between to poor sides, but a point is better than nothing all things considered.
Good to see Bassong back.
Don't rate Grabban or Whitaker yet they started.
Russell Martin at CB. For crying out loud NO!
Little created and sounded a game between to poor sides, but a point is better than nothing all things considered.
hogesar
Well-Known Member
Russel Martin at CB no? Sounded like him and seb complimented each other well, however I'm happy to be told otherwise by someone at the game.
I think we went back to our best formation. Shame Jerome wasn't fit to start, it had to be Grabban in that system as I don't think Hooper could pull off the lone role particularly well.
Quietly glad to see Whittaker in the team and part of a clean sheet, was harshly treated by our fans last week.
I think we went back to our best formation. Shame Jerome wasn't fit to start, it had to be Grabban in that system as I don't think Hooper could pull off the lone role particularly well.
Quietly glad to see Whittaker in the team and part of a clean sheet, was harshly treated by our fans last week.
W
Wooster
New Member
I'm loathe to post elsewhere as the mood seems so upbeat but my son & I went to the game today and I didn't see the game others appear to have watched (or listened to).
First, Birmingham were playing for a draw from the outset (a compliment of sorts) but it is disappointing that we weren't able to break them down.
Second, Elliott, Grabban & Whittaker were well short of their best or the standard required to win the game.
Third, the formation didn't seem to work, forward players were static and often midfield players brought the ball forward only to find no forward options and to turn and pass backwards.
Defensively we looked more solid than we have this season though Ruddy saved us once in the second half. Unfortunately, changes were made too late to be effective but Jerome, Murphy & Hooper at least showed intent.
It sounds negative but I've no axe to grind and wish AN well - but there's no way that performance points to imminent automatic promotion or even a play-off place. I just hope things click in the coming weeks and our competitors stall.
First, Birmingham were playing for a draw from the outset (a compliment of sorts) but it is disappointing that we weren't able to break them down.
Second, Elliott, Grabban & Whittaker were well short of their best or the standard required to win the game.
Third, the formation didn't seem to work, forward players were static and often midfield players brought the ball forward only to find no forward options and to turn and pass backwards.
Defensively we looked more solid than we have this season though Ruddy saved us once in the second half. Unfortunately, changes were made too late to be effective but Jerome, Murphy & Hooper at least showed intent.
It sounds negative but I've no axe to grind and wish AN well - but there's no way that performance points to imminent automatic promotion or even a play-off place. I just hope things click in the coming weeks and our competitors stall.
Dandy Mountfarto
New Member
Our attacking movement has been dreadful since Lambert left. Its been entirely coached out of this set of players. Adams was doing a good job at bringing it back even if it did leave us exposed at the back on occasions but that ship has sadly sailed.
Last edited by a moderator:
Canaryboy
Well-Known Member
For the first time in a while I've literally got nothing to say about the football on a match day. Should be noted that I've had 2 Brewdog Punk IPA's, 2 La Chouffe's and 2 Kwak's, and then half a something Italian, and didn't watch or listen to the game...... but this is the quietest match thread since this sites inception (and last week was one of the busiest),so perhaps that does still sum up the mood of City fans at the moment.
I'm either losing interest or I'm pissed. Or both.
I'm either losing interest or I'm pissed. Or both.
Last edited by a moderator:
R
RhythmicTheory
New Member
Good to see Seb on form, didn't see the match, listened on the radio but general views seem to be we were much more solid, which is a good starting point.
I don't get what people want, last week we were all over the place and he's clearly addressed that, although there will still be some way to go yet. Get confidence in your back line and the team can start pressing higher up the pitch and have more fluidity in attack.
Need to build that confidence first, the games coming up lend themselves to that. Will be pleased to see howson back.
I feel some peoples expectations are completely unrealistic.
I don't get what people want, last week we were all over the place and he's clearly addressed that, although there will still be some way to go yet. Get confidence in your back line and the team can start pressing higher up the pitch and have more fluidity in attack.
Need to build that confidence first, the games coming up lend themselves to that. Will be pleased to see howson back.
I feel some peoples expectations are completely unrealistic.
Last edited by a moderator:
eatonparkboy
New Member
Was really busy all day from first light till dark so only know the result.
Sounds like we set up not to lose and that was achieved. Albeit, from Wooster's post, against a side determined not to lose either. Our own club website describes it as scrappy.
So at the moment, the pressing attacking game that Hamilton apparently played under AN is not happening here, of course, with different personnel. But I suppose after the debacle of his previous two games in charge, he needed to produce something, however neutral, taking Canaryboy's post, the result and appraisal.
But that in itself will content many so some are happier than others. And will point we are one point closer to some.
So if this is going to be the new attitude of more solidity at the back, which we all knew he would achieve restoring Bassong, but reinforced with plenty of midfield cover, then our only chance of success would appear to be grinding out low scoring wins and draws. Which once again would suit many.
However, he does have Howson available next game so it will be interesting to see how that game is approached.
Sounds like we set up not to lose and that was achieved. Albeit, from Wooster's post, against a side determined not to lose either. Our own club website describes it as scrappy.
So at the moment, the pressing attacking game that Hamilton apparently played under AN is not happening here, of course, with different personnel. But I suppose after the debacle of his previous two games in charge, he needed to produce something, however neutral, taking Canaryboy's post, the result and appraisal.
But that in itself will content many so some are happier than others. And will point we are one point closer to some.
So if this is going to be the new attitude of more solidity at the back, which we all knew he would achieve restoring Bassong, but reinforced with plenty of midfield cover, then our only chance of success would appear to be grinding out low scoring wins and draws. Which once again would suit many.
However, he does have Howson available next game so it will be interesting to see how that game is approached.
Surgeryman
New Member
Good to see a left footed CB at last that will make us stronger. Would rather Seb be partnered by Turner or Bennet.
Russell Martin to RB
Prefer Tettey and O Neil but Johnson will do.
The transfer/loan window will be interesting.We need a left sided player again for balance.
For Blackpool
Ruddy
Martin Turner Bassong Olssen ( if still here)
Tettey Johnson Howson Redmond
Jerome Hooper
Russell Martin to RB
Prefer Tettey and O Neil but Johnson will do.
The transfer/loan window will be interesting.We need a left sided player again for balance.
For Blackpool
Ruddy
Martin Turner Bassong Olssen ( if still here)
Tettey Johnson Howson Redmond
Jerome Hooper
Yellow Fever
New Member
People keep slating Martin at CB, but he was Whoscored's MotM yesterday with a rating of 8.3 (7 is very good). Tettey was the closest to him with 7.6 and Bassong had 7.5. Adam Drury was also full of praise for him, as well as for Tettey and Bassong on Radio Norfolk. I'd guess Martin and Bassong are a shoe in for the CB pairing against Blackpool. Tettey should also start alongside either BJ or Howson. Jerome up front certainly, supported by Redmond Hooper and Lafferty in a 4-2-3-1 would be my guess.
eatonparkboy
New Member
I agree about Martin. But just in the same way as happened to several other players, Martin has never really been a crowd favourite despite mostly steady performances. When he arrived, he was slated. But his longevity at the club is testament to me that he is a decent player. He did play CB under Lambert and it was never seen as a problem then.
Each to his own but it does puzzle me that people are so insistent on him being RB. Martin coupled with Bassong for me very time. His distribution isn't brilliant, but for now I just want clearing the ball as a priority and playing the ball out second.
The Great Mass Debater
New Member
I didnt watch the game yesterday. In fairness I was having a bad and stressful day, but I could have attempted to follow the match but I really didnt care. Taken the Brentford game a bit too much to heart. Will need a bit of time to lick my wounds I think. Might make me a fair weather fan, but I was pretty gutted by last week and I feel very much now that this season has gone. Transition at best unfortunately unless we sneak the play-offs. Just a bit depressed
Din
Well-Known Member
Well it's an improvement on last week at least. Martin and Bassong seemed to have formed a good partnership, leading us being more solid defensively, and hopefully next week Jerome will be fully fit and we'll also have Howson back from suspension. Signs are certainly a little bit more promising.
In context a point really isn't that bad a result, considering Birmingham had been in very good form going into this game (Losing just 2 out of 13, winning 7 of those games). I know that they weren't at their best but it still could've been a lot worse.
We now need to build on this result, and have the perfect opportunity now at home to bottom of the league. If we can really give them a hiding, as we have done to certain teams in recent weeks at Carrow Road, then hopefully it'll give the lads a massive confidence boost. A win is the most important thing though obviously.
In context a point really isn't that bad a result, considering Birmingham had been in very good form going into this game (Losing just 2 out of 13, winning 7 of those games). I know that they weren't at their best but it still could've been a lot worse.
We now need to build on this result, and have the perfect opportunity now at home to bottom of the league. If we can really give them a hiding, as we have done to certain teams in recent weeks at Carrow Road, then hopefully it'll give the lads a massive confidence boost. A win is the most important thing though obviously.
- Status