coolhandfox

Stoke like to cross and put the ball in the box.

Sounds like Enzo wants to develop Akgun into a B.Silva type of player.

Stones was the one that sprung to mind. I'd agree. We do need to bring that young CB, I can still see Vestergaard moving on in the summer 31 out of contract, with maybe one has one last big payday available to him. To be fair to Enzo we have managed to reduce the amount of time Vestergaard has been exposed to a foot race as the system has bed in.

Apologies I think I have PTSD from Foxestalk members writing of players after a game. I just want to wait to see what Enzo and his system bring out in Coady. It has liberated Vestiguarrd and brought out the best in him. Whilst I agree Vesty has been great at vertical passes into midfield this season, I'm not sure we saw him do as good a job in the PL with us or Southampton, and I can't comment on his time in the Bundesliga. It is much easier at this level with our setup where we are looking to hit the CM with a vertical bounce pass all the time. Coady hasn't played at this level for five years, and Vestiguard has never played at this level, I think to compare apples with apples you have to see them both at this level for a decent sample size. I'd pick Vestiguarrd tomorrow, as I've already said earlier in the thread. That's a big statement. I wondered whether that could be born out by any stats, but he has always had great feet and passing ability. It is a joke, really that we have the likes of Him, Coady and Faes at this level. The most frustrating part of our recruitment was watching us buy the likes of Vestergaard and Souttar and play them in a manner which set them up to fail.

Maybe just let him get fully fit before you judge him.

With a 2 week international break reducing the amount or games his is going to miss as well.

Coady is coming back from a decent injury, no need for him to play 2 games in 78 hours. Vesty back in for Stoke.

They have spent 200m over the last 3 season which is a decent amount.

Without knowing the level of investment the club is planning for the summer and what players will come and go there is no way of knowing.

Nice for him to get a goal from open play good confidence boost. Well.done Nacho.

So it Madividi turn tonight, enjoy the win rather than looking for someone to put down.

Preston set up like a league 2 team in the cup.

No chance

VAR gets worse.......

Just do goal line and the auto offside they used for the world cup.

Both him and Akgun look to be decent additions.

True, the best thing to say is we have 16 games by the end of the year (91 days)

If we take from here point per game wise; 2 = 98 points 1.8 = 90 points 1.7 = 87 points 1.6 = 83 points 1.5 = 80 points (rounding to the nearest whole number) The average point total for 3rd in the last nine years is 85, with no 3rd place team getting more than 89. So if we average above 1.7 from here, we should be promoted. So, something like 17 wins, 12 Draws, and 8 loses. Or 20 wins, 4 Draws and 13 losses.

Enzo has shown a willingness to rotate players, I'd be surprised to see RP play against PNE and Stoke.

I agree we haven't been fluent and tended to play in patches where we play excellent football. However, I think we have to be mindful of the following factors; In reality, we have a pretty inexperienced manager and coaching team implementing a new system and style of play. Massive squad turnover, 13 senior players out, 9 in, that's 22 personal changes. We have a younger, more inexperienced squad; the average of our most regular starting eleven last season was 27 compared to 25 this season. A pre-season that was poorly planned. We are seen as the big fish, so teams raise their game against us. You also have very little time on the training ground to work on things when you are playing 3 games a week. I also think we play within ourselves, almost like Enzo know it going to be a grinding season so we look to win without expending too much effort. I think we have improved since the opening week of the season, with better structure, and becoming more fluent.

Not sure why people are surprised with injuries it's going to be a tough season. 3 games a week is hard going that, which is why you need a lot of rotation.

Looks to be enjoying his football again....

Great start, scoring goals. Still think we could have done with another defender!

Nice too see us score some goals. Important to win today.

Playing 3 games a week is a killer.