We went back to more cautious mentality for me - that’s what disappointed me most.
I was also really disappointed with the Matt substitution- putting him and Faal up top was just us going long. It should have been Gordon - and then Matt for Faal.
I really don’t understand why Sadler is so scared to make subs or change the formation in game.
I agree pal, and I felt he grew into the game more in the second half. As with a lot of players at this level, it’s the decision making that’s the difference and Hutch was well off it today. I do think though that the better players will find those positions and pockets of space to be effective in games like today. Again, not knocking him but he tends to struggle in games similar to today and if he wants to kick on to the next level then he needs to find a way to perform against teams that look to stifle him
I thought he was better when Matt came on regardless of what the opposition have said as his physical presence draws players to him and makes space for the likes of Hutch to drift into
Agreed. If anything I thought DD struggled slightly compared to Dave and Farquharson. Gordon was surprisingly off it too today. It took him 84 minutes to have a run and get a cross in. Hopefully it was an off day for many
I agree we hit it long too much for my liking. I remember thinking this is like Flynn at one point, but then there was also a spell just after half time when we seemed to have a succession of opportunities primarily from Knowles seeming to have acres of space to run in to, none of which led to a goal (but should have). I’m not 100% sure what changed that meant Knowles had this space at the start of the second half. Sutton then made a sub and these opportunities stopped.
I agree with most of that if I have one criticism of Hutch it would be I want to see a bit more fire and passion in his belly he’s gonna have to add that to his game if he wants to move up a level .hes to content sometimes for my liking when he’s under the cosh .
Liam Gordon is overrated. I’ll be kinder by saying I think he’s a left back… but I don’t think he’s good enough as a left wing back. His output is poor and he doesn’t ever seem to be up with play (in the same way Knowles is free in the right when we switch across).
I hope today isn’t the realisation of a fear I had before the game - that when teams work us out and cut off our threat in the middle / we are forced wide and then have a pair of wingbacks who have a grand total of 4 assists between them….
We are desperate for a right (and I think also left) wing back. We won’t get both, or neither this window - and I think that’s the reason we will have results like today. When we needed them in those pivotal moments… they’re just not good enough to put in a clinical cross or cut back.
I agree his output has been poor, but other than today where I can’t recall him being forward that much, he has been involved in our attacks, so not sure what you’re basing ‘he doesn’t ever seem up with play’ on.