DJ Barry Hammond

He’s also doing fairly well playing both centre and left midfield for now 😂 No striker on the bench is a problem. We’ll need to take off Cannon at some point I imagine.

Even though we have trouble defending set pieces?

Nope - he has to stay on full 90. He’s our out ball from goal kicks.

Note, he’s going to be targeted for long balls forward to. He has a key role here.

Kind of - I think we’ve left that flank open.

Not sure why you’d take Casadei off - he’s been a presence in the game throughout so far and his height in useful in both boxes.

Given how good Sakamoto’s been, I’m surprised we seem to be leaving the left flank open.

Don’t even go there! That must not happen!

The one against Birmingham got a lot of coverage didn’t it - refs watch these things too.

So… decisions are done and in the book. How do you think we’re setting up? Someone needs to go wide right - is that Mav, with KDH going left and Winks stepping up into a two man midfield?

You can guarantee if the roles are reversed we’re calling the ref a willy puller.

I don’t think so - it’s the exact example of the sort of tackle the rule makers are trying to eradicate.

Yeah, because players should know that a referee can look to ‘balance’ a situation. I don’t think we should be too harsh on the kid though - he’s made a mistake - it’s now on his teammates to pull him out of it with a BIG 45. It’ll be interesting to see how we setup for the second half!

Yeah, that’s a red. Ironically, if the penalty doesn’t happen, he may have got away with the yellow.

It’s where and how he catches him isn’t it - refs are looking for that sort of contact. And I know ‘winning the ball’ is not necessarily a consideration these days and that it’s a tackle that could be considered ‘dangerous’ - but I’m still not sure I want that given as a foul.

Oooooo… I’ll take it, but you’d be furious if that had gone the other way.

Given Casadei’s threat in the air, I’d have liked an earlier cross there. Important period of the game here - could do with a sustained period of pressure.

Cassdei did well there! No booking either.

We’re perhaps a little too set back at the moment. I’d like us to be a little closer, a little more physical in midfield.

Impressive shot to hit the ball given the thrower would have 6 fingers!

They were always going to have a fast start - we’re doing ok, starting to get more control now.

They’re overrated - you look up and the sun’s still there!

Great save!

I do hate a crap sun coverage on the pitch.

For me, Trafford isn’t close enough to the ball to get a decision in his favour. The vast majority of the fouls awarded to goalkeepers are when they’re in touching distance of the ball. He’s nowhere near it here - I’m not convinced he’s getting to it even if there was no ‘bump’ - and that’s what goes against him. I’d therefore class this in the ‘good decision’ category.