ACF

One of the many things I don’t understand about this bloke, we heard and saw during preseason that he wanted to be defending high up the pitch, putting the press on. I don’t think I’ve seen us press well all season, we’ve been cut through or had balls hit over the top consistently. We just haven’t won the ball back in threatening places to create chances. That Oxford third goal was awful defending, but credit to Ramsay for getting the keeper to get into an area they can win a second ball and move forward. It then looks like they’ve never thought the ball could get through and they’d be running back towards their own goal. From watching I could not tell you how he wants us to defend. If he wants to continue playing with so much possession, forcing overloads, you have to expect that when we lose the ball, we’ll have players out of position meaning they can counter quickly. The pressing aspect of the preseason seems absolutely pointless.

Think we really need a BDCR move to free up some space in the middle. There’s no way he’s leaving out Lundstram, Cullen or Chaplin when fit. Sammy and Page have done nothing to warrant their dropping, but Brighton will have sent Doyle with an expectation of some playing time too. That’s 7 midfielders, with now no false 9 position for Cullen and BDCR to take up. I know it’s a long year but would rather someone like Neale occupying that 7th slot. Or Alves/JJ if we’re in a pinch.

If you said at the start of the summer that 1. Braybrooke Page Alves & Joseph were starting games 2. 4 loan signings from PL clubs 3. Hamza, Vestergaard, Winks, Skipp, Mavididi, Ayew, Daka, Kristiansen, Vietes, Begovic were all no longer at the club (even though some are loans) 4. We actually sold some academy deadwood I would’ve snapped your hands off. For me, the disappointments are: 1. Not clearing Faes, Okoli, BDCR and Woyo 2. The prioritisation (even if they’re free or very cheap transfers) of players that won’t grow with us, leading to Evans out on loan, Motsi leaving, and Hutchinson nowhere to be seen 3. Monga sale (even though we knew it was coming) 4. I think Cartwright could’ve contributed this season but don’t begrudge him and the club making the move Juries still out on the new boys so won’t judge them as part of the rebuild just yet.

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Can’t believe West Ham are going to block the development of a youngster for this bloke

If he was Scandinavian he’d be N’Guessansson

That’s a fair finish from Lacey

He’s been very good. Seriously think he could do a job at the 6 and slot Aluko in at RB.

Stolarczyk Aluko Souttar* Thomas McFarlane Joseph Howell Page Braybrooke Alves Bristric *if here, if not, the new boy Roo

A much, much better performance but still not a 90 minutes we should be happy with and to be honest that’s down to Russell not the players. Chaplin’s injury saved his poor starting tactic. We look so much better with Bristric on the pitch as the focal point. His movement is good, he occupies defenders but whether his positioning in the box, or his finishing is enough to be our striker for the year I still have no idea. To the same point, BDCR is a much better player as the 10, but he was missing the runs in behind. Style of play wise, we were much faster, willing to be more direct, and the off the ball movement was much improved. There were patches when it slowed down, but with a striker pulling defenders away, and Souttar keeping his eyes up, we managed to break through a couple of times more. Burns & Watson generally offered nothing on the wings, and when we’re up against 5 defenders and we’ve got no goal threat in the middle, we cannot afford them to perform like that. The game was clearly calling out for changes on the wings earlier, Alves should’ve been brought on at the same time as Howell. Both of them were so much brighter. That’s firmly on Russell. Stol had a big moment but was fine otherwise, didn’t have much to do. Thomas also had a moment (or two or three) but it looks like CB suits him much more. McFarlane looks a better LB by a mile. JJ and Page very good, but MOTM to Sammy Braybrooke. Absolutely outstanding, a real shame he hit the woodwork on that effort as he absolutely deserved that goal. I’m sure Russell will say that that’s as close to what he’s wanting as we’ve seen all year, but he needs to more proactive on subs, and he should be fighting tooth and nail for another striker. We can’t go in with a false nine again.

Can’t wait for him to throw Kangasniemi upfront

Alves NOW Russell

Much much much better!

Surely not more passing backwards?

You’ll be begging for league one football next season

So predictable down the left

My stream cut out, what was the injury to Chaplin? Was it the same as what he went down earlier for?

They’ve shut down Braybrooke & Page in the last 10.

OH FFS BOB

Just as we drew it up well done Stol

Was literally typing the same thing, looks like he actually wants the ball versus Skipp who sees it as a burden

Hadn’t even clocked Chaplin as Captain

Clean sheet incoming for MK Dons

He’s a great score in Scrabble

Hope his signing bonus pays for his chauffeur until he gets his license back