stockyfox Posted 6 November 2010 Posted 6 November 2010 Today’s excellent result has posed for me some rather mixed thoughts. We controlled much of the game and indeed were so dominant in the first half that it was 37 mins before Barnsley had their first real shot on goal. Not for the first time however, we regularly created gilt –edged chances on goal, so much so that a final score in the region of 0-5 or 0-6 would not have been unjustified. We have had to date 111 corners resulting in precisely no goals. Why? It is not all that long ago that players like Kisnorbo and McCarthy scored for fun from corners. We used to be feared and regarded as deadly at set pieces. What are we doing different? Our ‘Man of the Match’ today was Yuki Abe. Having seen him now 3 or 4 times, I like Abe. I also like Moussa and have been impressed with Vitor, although I’ve only seen him in a couple of games. Then there is Moreno who I thought played well at the start of the season but seems to be out of favour at the moment. As the first three in particular seem to become more and more part of Sven’s thinking, we should possibly remember that they were signed by Paulo Sousa and I just wonder what his thoughts might be, (if any!) as he watches their progress from afar. Today’s performance however set me wondering as to the future of two of the squad who didn’t feature – Matty Fryatt and Matt Oakley. They, and possibly others, may both feel possibly uneasy as to their future at the Club as we interchanged 4-4-2 with 4-3-3 and even 4-5-1 today. Candidates for the back four : Berner, Hobbs, Morrison, Vitor, Cunningham, Naughton, Tunchev and then there’s Neilson. The midfield three or four: Abe and Wellens formed a really strong partnership today and with Andy King excelling in the Captain’s roll, I think Oakley will struggle to regain his place. The other fourth place options are Gallagher, Davies, Moussa and Dyer, not forgetting Moreno which leaves Vassell, Waghorn and Howard competing for the front two spots. In a 4-5-1, Waghorn or Howard are both well capable of being the ‘1’ whereas Fryatt needs the support of preferably Howard. Today, Dyer replaced Vassell but if Sven pursues a 4-3-3, then I would like to see Dyer on the Left and Vassell on the right with Howard in the centre with a midfield three of Abe, King and Wellens or Davies. I was interested to hear one of Alan Young’s post-match comments when he echoed what I had just said which was that City COULD go undefeated for the remainder of the season. The next two games may reinforce or ridicule that view. Sheffield Utd. are having a bit of a nightmare of a season whereas Derby, in contrast, are one of the in-form teams. Interesting times lie ahead at the Walkers!
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 6 November 2010 Posted 6 November 2010 Never knew quite why we got rid of Kisnorbo.
sdb Posted 6 November 2010 Posted 6 November 2010 Interesting definitely. Unbeaten for the rest of the season - no chance!! but i admire the optimism
Finnegan Posted 6 November 2010 Posted 6 November 2010 Now if we could just get a striker on the scoresheet...
hackneyfox Posted 6 November 2010 Posted 6 November 2010 Never knew quite why we got rid of Kisnorbo. Superb!
ajthefox Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Never knew quite why we got rid of Kisnorbo. I think it was because he was injured for a long time and didn't come back the same player. I'm sure it was something a long that line anyway, I think lot of people were big fans of his.
lcfcsnow Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 :laugh: One of the main reasons we couldn't score goals and eventfually saw us get relegated was because we had defenders like Kisnorbo that had no ability to pass a ball out of defence. Well rid.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 So he'd have no use as a squad player then? *And it's hardly as if every centre half we've had since has been a purveyor of Total Football, and yet we've still been successful. Wayne Brown anyone?
lcfcsnow Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 So he'd have no use as a squad player then? We've got Hobbs & Morrison as backup at the moment, shows how far we've come. It would really be a return to those dark days with a center back of his standard. He scored from corners and could head a ball, I give him that, but he and McAuley thats all they had. We couldn't play football with those at the back, we hoofed it forward, had Hume running his socks off all game forcing corners for the defenders to score from.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 I thought McAuley was gash, however when Kisnorbo was released, I'd sooner have had him ahead of Brown, and, now, if I'm honest, I'd probably take him over Morrison.
Bugg Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 I liked Kisnorbo, Leeds fans seem to rate him aswell I think.
OriginalRobboFOX Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Never knew quite why we got rid of Kisnorbo. Pearson just didn't fancy him...
broughtonblue Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Now if we could just get a striker on the scoresheet... You've hit the nail on the head, we really need a deadly 20 goals a season front man to convert the many chances we create
Howard9 Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 I think we just need to get a new striker and were set for the season
Thracian Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Today’s excellent result has posed for me some rather mixed thoughts. We controlled much of the game and indeed were so dominant in the first half that it was 37 mins before Barnsley had their first real shot on goal. Not for the first time however, we regularly created gilt –edged chances on goal, so much so that a final score in the region of 0-5 or 0-6 would not have been unjustified. We have had to date 111 corners resulting in precisely no goals. Why? It is not all that long ago that players like Kisnorbo and McCarthy scored for fun from corners. We used to be feared and regarded as deadly at set pieces. What are we doing different? Our ‘Man of the Match’ today was Yuki Abe. Having seen him now 3 or 4 times, I like Abe. I also like Moussa and have been impressed with Vitor, although I’ve only seen him in a couple of games. Then there is Moreno who I thought played well at the start of the season but seems to be out of favour at the moment. As the first three in particular seem to become more and more part of Sven’s thinking, we should possibly remember that they were signed by Paulo Sousa and I just wonder what his thoughts might be, (if any!) as he watches their progress from afar. Today’s performance however set me wondering as to the future of two of the squad who didn’t feature – Matty Fryatt and Matt Oakley. They, and possibly others, may both feel possibly uneasy as to their future at the Club as we interchanged 4-4-2 with 4-3-3 and even 4-5-1 today. Candidates for the back four : Berner, Hobbs, Morrison, Vitor, Cunningham, Naughton, Tunchev and then there’s Neilson. The midfield three or four: Abe and Wellens formed a really strong partnership today and with Andy King excelling in the Captain’s roll, I think Oakley will struggle to regain his place. The other fourth place options are Gallagher, Davies, Moussa and Dyer, not forgetting Moreno which leaves Vassell, Waghorn and Howard competing for the front two spots. In a 4-5-1, Waghorn or Howard are both well capable of being the ‘1’ whereas Fryatt needs the support of preferably Howard. Today, Dyer replaced Vassell but if Sven pursues a 4-3-3, then I would like to see Dyer on the Left and Vassell on the right with Howard in the centre with a midfield three of Abe, King and Wellens or Davies. I was interested to hear one of Alan Young’s post-match comments when he echoed what I had just said which was that City COULD go undefeated for the remainder of the season. The next two games may reinforce or ridicule that view. Sheffield Utd. are having a bit of a nightmare of a season whereas Derby, in contrast, are one of the in-form teams. Interesting times lie ahead at the Walkers! Some thought-provoking comments there, and well thought through. I wouldn't have called Abe Man of the Match though. Close maybe and one cog in the best midfield three I've seen turn out for City in years. But, for me, he didn't have enough effect to be MoM and I'd have said Vitor was the only rival to King for that honour, both those two having had enormous impact and in various ways. Your point about the corners reveals an extraordinary statistic and one which asks serious questions of our coaches. Being fair I did think we tried to vary our delivery yesterday. Low and hard, high and flighted and even, at long last, a short corner. But 111 corners without reward is probably some sort of record and points, again, to that genuine 20-goals-a-season striker we're lacking. Despite each having much support among the fans Fryatt (two selfish), Waghorn (two one-footed and indifferent in the air) or Howard (time's catching up) properly or completely fit the bill although Waghorn is still learnign and improving so we shouldn't forget that. Perhaps midfielder King is the only potential 20 goals a season guy we've got and, much as I rate him, I never expected to be able to say that. However, he's now netted 10 times this season (six of them counting) and we are still way short of the halfway stage and that, despite his considerable responsibilities in other areas. I'm not sure the ideal choice for 4-3-3 is as easy as you say. What impressed me yesterday in the absence of Fryatt, was the teamwork - the happiness of the side in playing together. I've never been that big a fan of Gallagher for all his touches but he showed signs yesterday of developing an understanding with those around him and the runs they make. Suddenly, with a goal the previous week and an assist yesterday, he's having an impact. And that's what's changed. We now have players who do have impact and in far more areas of the field. The all-round ability of those players is making it easier for everyone because there are more passing options and their improving fitness levels only means they can all pass and move for longer. Major improvements. However another big plus is not at the front but at the back. Our faster, more ambitious full-backs are helping the team move back and forward much more as a unit. And having footballers at centre-back is helping us retain possession much more naturally especially with Abe so willing and available to receive early possession. You mentioned Kisnorbo for his ability to score. He'd also lay his life on the line in desperate defence but he wasn't a footballing centre-back and was part of the problem that has long held City back. Hobbs is a Kisnorbo without the goals and Morrison another who lacks the class to be what I think we need and couple those two with limited full-backs like Berner and Neilson and we never had the chance of attacking as a unit from the back, hence our constant shortage of goals. How that has changed and how we need to make sure we never go back. I agree that we were fearsome in the MON era with four big men (Walsh, Elliott, Heskey and Marshall) marauding forward into the box but they were an exceptional four, they had Guppy's deadly crosses to feed on and there was the genius of Cottee attacking the near post. I'd be happy for us to develop more capability in this way - Vitor seems to be a plus - but while Howard is a good feed for the runners he doesn't really win potential goalscoring headers in the box any more and, indeed, struggles to even get into the box after about 20 minutes. He might provide a worthwhile option as he did yesterday but I'd doubt he's even got a full game in him now. However a faster version, with King as a late-arriving attacking midfielder, Vassell and Dyer providing speed and Gallagher as a free-thinking option and you've got a lot to try and stop and more especially if Abe and Wellens improve their attacking influence as I believe they can, Abe when his confidence and familiality with the pace of the game grows, and Wellens when he starts to shoot. That, with attacking full-backs would represent an extremely mobile side capable of scoring the necessary goals to challenge for promotion and of giving any team problems. As I said to DavieG yesterday. It's a long time since I've felt more excited about our prospects.
Webbo Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Can we stop counting offside goals as goals, they aren't anymore than they would be if we scored via a handball. Rules are rules.
Solihullfox Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Alan Young actually said we could remain unbeaten until Christmas with the run of games we have and the confidence that is building in the team.
ibbosuk Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Today's excellent result has posed for me some rather mixed thoughts. We controlled much of the game and indeed were so dominant in the first half that it was 37 mins before Barnsley had their first real shot on goal. Not for the first time however, we regularly created gilt –edged chances on goal, so much so that a final score in the region of 0-5 or 0-6 would not have been unjustified. We have had to date 111 corners resulting in precisely no goals. Why? It is not all that long ago that players like Kisnorbo and McCarthy scored for fun from corners. We used to be feared and regarded as deadly at set pieces. What are we doing different? Our 'Man of the Match' today was Yuki Abe. Having seen him now 3 or 4 times, I like Abe. I also like Moussa and have been impressed with Vitor, although I've only seen him in a couple of games. Then there is Moreno who I thought played well at the start of the season but seems to be out of favour at the moment. As the first three in particular seem to become more and more part of Sven's thinking, we should possibly remember that they were signed by Paulo Sousa and I just wonder what his thoughts might be, (if any!) as he watches their progress from afar. Today's performance however set me wondering as to the future of two of the squad who didn't feature – Matty Fryatt and Matt Oakley. They, and possibly others, may both feel possibly uneasy as to their future at the Club as we interchanged 4-4-2 with 4-3-3 and even 4-5-1 today. Candidates for the back four : Berner, Hobbs, Morrison, Vitor, Cunningham, Naughton, Tunchev and then there's Neilson. The midfield three or four: Abe and Wellens formed a really strong partnership today and with Andy King excelling in the Captain's roll, I think Oakley will struggle to regain his place. The other fourth place options are Gallagher, Davies, Moussa and Dyer, not forgetting Moreno which leaves Vassell, Waghorn and Howard competing for the front two spots. In a 4-5-1, Waghorn or Howard are both well capable of being the '1' whereas Fryatt needs the support of preferably Howard. Today, Dyer replaced Vassell but if Sven pursues a 4-3-3, then I would like to see Dyer on the Left and Vassell on the right with Howard in the centre with a midfield three of Abe, King and Wellens or Davies. I was interested to hear one of Alan Young's post-match comments when he echoed what I had just said which was that City COULD go undefeated for the remainder of the season. The next two games may reinforce or ridicule that view. Sheffield Utd. are having a bit of a nightmare of a season whereas Derby, in contrast, are one of the in-form teams. Interesting times lie ahead at the Walkers! Alan Young did not say that!!!! He said go undefeated till xmas (meaning the opening of the Jan transfer window) EDIT SORRY Just seen Solihulfox post and he heard the same thing as I did, IE undefeated till Xmas.
Benji Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Even more interestingly, Savage is going to bag 2 against us soon http://www.twitvid.com/VHG9J
Trav Le Bleu Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Now if we could just get a striker on the scoresheet... Is exactly what I was thinking. A huge part of me thinks that Vassell isn't the answer.
Guest Mee-9 Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 I think interesting teams DO lie ahead. It seems as Sven has got us playing very decent football. And also, look at the players on the bench from yesterday. Berner, Dyer, Hobbs, Moussa, Howard and Fryatt. Under Sousa and Pearson, they were the regulars in the team. Also theres Morrison, Oakley, N'Guessan who can't even make the bench. To have that amount of talent on the bench really is something. An example yesterday, substituting Vassell, and bringing on someone quicker in Lloyd dyer is decent, and adds a completely different edge. Also the club seems to be geared towards the premiership. All this investment, Sven as a manager, The Stadium, The facilities. Compared to even Cardiff, They might have a great team, but they cannot build. As with Forest, and the other teams going for Promotion. Exciting times lie ahead.
Swalker Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 Today’s excellent result has posed for me some rather mixed thoughts. We controlled much of the game and indeed were so dominant in the first half that it was 37 mins before Barnsley had their first real shot on goal. Not for the first time however, we regularly created gilt –edged chances on goal, so much so that a final score in the region of 0-5 or 0-6 would not have been unjustified. We have had to date 111 corners resulting in precisely no goals. Why? It is not all that long ago that players like Kisnorbo and McCarthy scored for fun from corners. We used to be feared and regarded as deadly at set pieces. What are we doing different?[/b] Our ‘Man of the Match’ today was Yuki Abe. Having seen him now 3 or 4 times, I like Abe. I also like Moussa and have been impressed with Vitor, although I’ve only seen him in a couple of games. Then there is Moreno who I thought played well at the start of the season but seems to be out of favour at the moment. As the first three in particular seem to become more and more part of Sven’s thinking, we should possibly remember that they were signed by Paulo Sousa and I just wonder what his thoughts might be, (if any!) as he watches their progress from afar. Today’s performance however set me wondering as to the future of two of the squad who didn’t feature – Matty Fryatt and Matt Oakley. They, and possibly others, may both feel possibly uneasy as to their future at the Club as we interchanged 4-4-2 with 4-3-3 and even 4-5-1 today. Candidates for the back four : Berner, Hobbs, Morrison, Vitor, Cunningham, Naughton, Tunchev and then there’s Neilson. The midfield three or four: Abe and Wellens formed a really strong partnership today and with Andy King excelling in the Captain’s roll, I think Oakley will struggle to regain his place. The other fourth place options are Gallagher, Davies, Moussa and Dyer, not forgetting Moreno which leaves Vassell, Waghorn and Howard competing for the front two spots. In a 4-5-1, Waghorn or Howard are both well capable of being the ‘1’ whereas Fryatt needs the support of preferably Howard. Today, Dyer replaced Vassell but if Sven pursues a 4-3-3, then I would like to see Dyer on the Left and Vassell on the right with Howard in the centre with a midfield three of Abe, King and Wellens or Davies. I was interested to hear one of Alan Young’s post-match comments when he echoed what I had just said which was that City COULD go undefeated for the remainder of the season. The next two games may reinforce or ridicule that view. Sheffield Utd. are having a bit of a nightmare of a season whereas Derby, in contrast, are one of the in-form teams. Interesting times lie ahead at the Walkers! But we did score from a set piece yesterday and looked more dangerous than before this season from free kicks and corners. And with the prescence of vitor and davies (if those two remain our 2 centre backs) it is only a matter of time.
Guest ttfn Posted 7 November 2010 Posted 7 November 2010 However, he's now netted 10 times this season (six of them counting) Christ, this is bringing back horrible memories of reading argument after argument about Sheehan's "indirect assists", Hammond's disallowed goals and other such bollocks.
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