The free kick goal is possibly the stand-out goal but I loved Matt’s header. The quality of ball into the box has definitely improved. I think it was L. Gordon who put a great ball in when J. Gordon forced the keeper into a good save. Also seem to be cutting the ball back in certain situations, all looks far more threatening than it did last season.
There was some talk about Daniels further up the thread. I’d never wish any player to be injured and we will no doubt need all of our squad over the season. That back 3 yesterday is solid and well balanced though and will be hard to break up if all are fit. Stirk instead of Comley has made a difference in midfield in my eyes though too. Stirk has looked like the player we thought we had signed in the first few games. Far better on the ball than Comley. We have some real options in midfield now.
I was a bit disappointed with Stirk last season, he didn’t really live up to the hype and often let games pass him by. I think he has been on a different level so far this season though. Really impressive.
And yeah we will no doubt need Comley, wasn’t a put down for him, he is a bit more limited but still has an important role to play no doubt.
The good news is that there doesn’t appear any need to rush DD back.
Sadler seemed determined to wedge him back in last season even though the three lads in situ were doing superbly.
If the three lads out are supplemented by a couple of new forwards then the squad is shaping up quite nicely. Add Comley, DD, DJ plus two cf to yesterday and it looks good.
Great performance yesterday, we should have had at least one, possibly two at 0-0 but Gordon did really well to keep going and grab the first goal.
Thought we dominated throughout, everyone did their job really well.
I said it after Tuesday’s game but I’ll say it again, we’re really seeing the benefits of a settled squad without much player turnover, everyone knows their roles and trusts each other with theirs, added with the excellent professional Adomah and the odd hungry player from non league desperate to make their mark in the EFL.
I don’t think Lakin has been that bad at all. He has played his part in all 3 games so far. He looks like he is always trying to get into the box and possibly hasn’t got his timings right yet, but he is still a nuisance and he has been tidy enough. I expect him to get better as time goes on. Not sure about Maher yet but I am looking forward to see if he can progress. I’m not sure he is really a center midfielder to be honest, and also not a center forward although that will only be a temporary thing I’d imagine. You aren’t going to get everything perfect but we certainly have some options and a strong bench (barring forwards which should be addressed soon)
I think anyone expecting Lakin to replace Hutch as similar in type will end up disappointed.
I said when he signed he’s much more Ryan Stirk than anything else but he makes far more forward runs which will result in him being in the box more and getting more goals.
His work yesterday for Matt’s goal was typical of what I’d expect from him and it can be easily overlooked.
We shouldn’t think only of a first eleven in these days of 5 subs. DD is part of a 7-fold centre-back combination. If he were fit tomorrow, he would not get in the team but injuries will happen and he will get his chance. Albert may find his niche as an impact sub. Stirk and Comley will get injuries or suspensions. The main point is having strength in depth.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned that we had no yellow cards yesterday. Simkin might have been the closest for his antics in winding up Harry Smith.
When DD is ready to come back after his op the only concern we should have is that he’s fit and returns to the form and player we know he can be ,then it will be down to the manager to pick him based on that and the performance of others.A fit and Firing DD will be a massive plus for the team and everyone.
My favourite goal of the game. Matt wins the first header and then surprises me by nearly chasing the loose ball down (definitely fitter and sharper), only to be beaten to it by Lakin who quickly recycles it to Allen. No messing, quality cross in and Jamma having made his way back into the danger area, finishes it clinically. Great number 9 goal.
Spot on Blazing and CS. It may not not have been a bells and whistles performance, but got through a lot of work, always showing, making runs, a lot of it unnoticed, epitoised by his role in Jamma’s goal.
Larkin makes some fantastic forward runs into space and you can see the goal threat he could be. However atm we are not getting the ball to him in those positions, that will come as the side gets used to him
Probably the most pleasing thing for me was how the team reacted to losing the ball they hunted in packs to get the ball back, that alone is worth its weight in gold. The togetherness of the team is off the scale.
Roll on Tranmere. Hopefully the 12.30 kick off and being on Sky doesn’t hinder the numbers traveling up. Think we’d have got 1k otherwise given our start.
