Wizerud

I’m more optimistic than I was at the start of the season. I think we’ve looked better than expected defensively. Okoli was one of our best players today, Buananotte has been a nice spark, Ayew has been decent and if Edouard and El Wotsit can make an impact I think there’s good reason for hope that we’ll stay up. We’re not the finished article and I believe team selection will improve over the course of the next few games as Cooper gets a better picture of who he likes. I certainly think we’re better than Ipswich, Southampton and one of at least three other teams in the league.

It’s just two games, I wouldn’t expect to see anything close to a “final product” yet. At this stage, I do expect a bit of experimentation and a lack of consistency, fluidity and identity while Cooper figures out this team and the system in which they can maximise their abilities. Having said that I would like to see an improvement over the next 10 games in all those areas and won’t be worried unless we stagnate into the often directionless mess that our current play indicates we’re in. Again though, that not unexpected. The arrival (hopefully) of new players will again change the dynamic and might even delay the final product that we eventually see. In short, I won’t be worried unless we don’t see the expected generally upwards trajectory in terms of our overall effectiveness. Hopefully that will lead to more entertaining football but I struggle to think of the last time we were genuinely entertaining other than the first half of last year vs championship opposition and that was before the rest of the league figured out how to nullify Maresca-ball.

Think he can do a more than decent job for us. He’s not a goal-scoring forward but one who will help us win back possession at the top end and create chances for others, works his bollox off, strong, savvy, experienced. He was a regular at Palace under a multitude of managers so they clearly all saw something in him. If we can sign at least one more attacker, an out and out goal scorer, this signing will start to make more sense to those who might not be thrilled about it now. He’s not the answer to our biggest problems but an important contributor in our one aim - staying up. I think he can deliver in that context.

I think it’s good that we only have two more league games (Fulham, Villa) before Sep 14 which will allow us to hopefully sign and bed in at least two players who can challenge for starter spots, one of those being a striker is an absolute must, before we return against Palace in September. Good start though. Let’s see if we can take at least a point vs Fulham on Sat and at least challenge Villa. No easy games.

Yeah this mirrors the way I see it. Corberan would be my choice, followed by Cooper. Think either one could do a decent job.

Good sub, wouldn’t have been disappointed to see the back of Doyle either. Need to get Marcel into the game more or get him off too.

I might put Choudhury on for one of Casedei, Mavadidi or Fatawu to strengthen the middle of our midfield. I might.

He reminded me of Maguire on Wednesday also. Very similar in technical ability (and pace).

Vestergaard’s re-emergence has been so unexpected it’s like having a new signing. I’m just gonna pretend he’s been injured the last two years.

Outside the box anyway.

It’s not that he’s played badly, but the game just seems to be passing him by. Seems like he’s finding it hard to get involved.

Think he’s been virtually invisible today. Much like he was against Southampton.

Casedei, Winks n Nacho off hopefully.

Has this been Vestergaard’s best game for us? He’s been solid. edit: admittedly it’s a very low bar.

Feels like Winks has been having a very quiet game. Also think there’s another mistake in their keeper if we’d just pressure him while in possession more.