Another alright away point given their home form and that it generally keeps us on track - however the game was there for the taking and with a bit more quality and composure we should have won it. It's hard to know what goes on behind the scenes, but when there's a scenario where you're playing a back 3 and 2 of those are Cathcart and Kabasele something is going wrong. Maybe Sierralta and Gaspar weren't fully fit? That's the only excuse really. It's not an experiment we can repeat again; both had a nightmare for their goal and Kabasele was in general a shambles throughout the match. Even WTE would have probably been preferable instead of Kabs in the heart of defence based on today's performance, as neither of them can pass but at least WTE can head the damn ball away from goal! Who knows - if Edwards really is happy with a back 3 containing those 2 then he's completely foolish and might not last as long in the job as we'd hope. The Kamara at RWB experiment also has to end soon. Some had written off Bayo too soon (not me I might add), but I will write Gaspar off - he played as if he was knackered even when he'd only been on the pitch for 5 minutes! Throughout pretty much the entirety of the game the vast majority of our play went down our left-hand side. Our right side was non-existent with Kamara/Gaspar there and Sarr missing. I honestly reckon that Ngakia, or even Kalu, will end up being our best options in the RWB position once they're fully fit, which is a sorry state of affairs. But having said that at this rate they'll still actually be an improvement from having Kamara or Gaspar offering literally nothing there. Back to Bayo - are some of the many overly harsh posters ready to eat their words already? As with his early cameos prior to his first goal, he certainly seems to have the nack of repeatedly getting himself in to good scoring positions, and now he's managing to convert some of those chances. He could have potentially had another today, but it's hard to be too critical given the corker he did score. Davis looked absolutely class when he came on. His strength and first touch was excellent and he really made the ball stick. Just a shame that the players around him weren't at the races enough by the end to capitalise on it. Mixed bag from JP. Some good dribbles and passes, but also too often trying to do too much on his own when there are simple passes on. I've said often that although Asprill seems a very good prospect I'm not convinced he should be starting for us regularly, and he was anonymous again. Eventually though those long-range shots of his will start flying in, but not quite yet.
Currently on holiday but managed to tune in for the final 30 mins (god knows why). A point is a point and progress in the right direction at least, but we need to be killing these teams off. One or two good chances whilst I was watching, Bayo or Gaspar could and should have done better with that ball in (I don’t care who takes it on, but Bayo’s contact was far too feint). Sema overhit a couple of crosses too which was frustrating given promising positions. I wasn’t concerned at any stage, other than for Kabasele’s 50 pence headers giving away unnecessary set pieces towards the end of the game. He looks a shadow of what he once was in terms of his potential. Per other posters’ comments, the Pozzo’s really have done Rob a disservice with the lack of depth and quality in a couple of positions. That will cost us any better than playoffs - and those will be at a stretch based on what I’m seeing so far.
Very average performance on the road again overall. Openning goal was Sunday kick-about in the park quality. I think Kabs' mind was in the dressing room. Absoulte toilet defending from him (and Cathcart caught ball watching) not tracking the man or the path the ball was heading. Really poor by two players who are experienced enough to know better. Two in two now for Bayo which is good for him personally - I hope he can continue to improve. Pedro was a different level out there, but he is being forced to do the work of what other players are not doing. Really cannot add to that - I mean yes we dominated the second half but managed a measly ONE shot out of TWLEVE on target. It is one of those games we will hopefully look back on in May and laugh about it - for the right reasons I hope. Stil unbeaten away (somehow), and four from the last two games makes a little better reading, but we need to turn draws into wins especially when we dominate games. Edwards is a good bloke but you wonder if he is feeling frustrated with the player he has in the positions he needs. Reading next up - another winnable game against a team who are very good on their day. Personally, can we please drop Kamara on to the left and play Sema as RWB? It's not his natural position we know, but he does alright. Kamara needs to be played to his strengths, something we are not doing from the start of games. Serralta in for Kabs please Rob next game. Rotherham looked nothing special overall, but what's up with their physio? Has he been on the Danny Rose diet? Oh, and their time wasting and play acting wouldn't of felt out of place in the PL.
I agree. We are far too slow with out play. We have got away with it in the games so far. Where is our pace?
They did a job on us but we didn't create enough to deservedly win. Too many of our players lack brain cells, stupid pointless fouls when it was obvious they'd go down and waste time. Pedro tried to do too much second half. Great goal by Bayo and expected us to build on that
Sema is extremely one-footed, he'll look even more awkward there than Kamara, and of course, we'll lose the threat that Sema poses on the left
We were ok but ok clubs don't get promoted. We still look awfully uncertain and panicky in defence at times. Hause looked decent though.
Good point. My thinking was he more mobile than Gaspar is - but who else do we have? Ngakia - who hasn't played for a while and might not be ready. But it's ok we can get one in the Window... oh yeah. Nice one Gino.
Take away the first 30 minutes we were a premier league team. We start so slowly so much and the goal was unforgiving with most of our defenders like statues. After that we were all over them. Davis was exceptional when he came on. Pedro as usual outstanding. Most of the team were decent from what I saw. Just need that killer instinct. And Rob Edwards NEEDS TO MAKE CHANGES SOONER!!!!!
Terrible result. If we want promotion then these are the games we must win. It’s Rotherham, no offence to them. As for the ref. He must have bought his full Rotherham kit before the game and expected a run out for them, which he duly delivered. Their time wasting without any bookings was shocking. Any time we got momentum they just dropped to the floor. Even let their player get treatment and stay on the pitch. However even without the ref, we should be beating teams like this. we’re now 6 points off where we should be on paper because of our away form and poor finishing. I never understand how every team can come flying out the blocks but us. It’s not a new thing, we’ve been doing this for past 3-4 years now. We start so slow and concede in the opening 10-15mins way more than what we score in it. It’s a horrible mentality. We’re not moving the ball quick enough. The tempo today was abysmal. Played into Rotherham’s hands. When we finally did move the ball, their players looked shattered. You would have thought that coming out in the second half we would carry on how we finished the first half. Nope not us, straight back to taking it easy, slow passing, no movement, just all very dull. Edwards has got to wake up. We don’t need to play 3 at the back. I’m sick of managers being obsessed with this formation. Unless you have a CB that’s willing to join the attacks, 3 at the back with how we play it, is way to defensive. Get Kamara back on the left. Sema yet again, was poor. I don’t care he got an assist. Outside of that, constantly giving the ball away, crosses were crap apart from that one for the goal, fouls in stupid positions. Kamara at RWB doesn’t work. Edwards needs to get his head out of his own backside and damn well listen. It handicaps us with him there. Need to play to our strengths which is 4 at the back. Stop with this crap back 3. On a positive, Davis looked good and gave us some much needed hold up play. Wish we won in injury time just to teach those time wasting divers a lesson.
We signed Nkoulou out of the window when we were crying out for a CB last season, we signed Lazaar in about March 2 seasons ago when we were missing a left-back for almost half a season, I wouldn't be surprised if we sign a RWB on a free (which is to say nothing of the quality of that player!
Only having 1 player on the bench who could potentially improve the team was pretty disturbing. Points wise a solid start to a long season and we have played 5 of the 6 other teams to only lose once. Classic Pozzo that we have 2 1st choice LWBs and no RWB unless Ngakia steps up. Hard for RE to drop Sema after 1 goal and 3 assists that was really 2&2. Regardless of his shortcomings the fact that Bayo can score goals in the champo is a huge bonus. Taxi for Nicki Manaj??
I still maintain we have limited options off the bench, today we had a returning Davis and little else, would he have been fit enough for more than about 15 mins?
A free agent RWB is hardly going to be the young flyer that we need, we'll end up with someone older than Gaspar who is somehow slower, if that's possible.
Rotherham had won 2 and drawn 1 of their 3 home games so far this season, including a 4-0 win over Reading. Winning our home games and drawing our away games still keeps us on track for where we need to be. Sure it's a game which on the day we certainly could and perhaps should have won with a bit of extra composure and quality, but to say it's a "terrible result" and a "must win" is too far.
We need to drop the three at the back. Other than it’s been a solid if unspectacular start to the season.
Bachmann is starting to regress with crosses again. We need to get balls floated in under pressure in training to improve coming for them. His kicking is improving though and did everything he realistically should have when called upon. Cathcart looked decent today I thought. Kamara left him very little support and he managed to hold down his side pretty competently despite this. Kabasele. You're a nice bloke and I wish you well, but your concentration is just not with it. Too many lapses in a critical position. WTE and Pollock must he ahead of him when playing in centre of the three. Hause looked the business. Decent pace and loved his physical duels. Covered back well and notably improved our passing on the left side having a natural left footed passer of the ball. Sema I thought was excellent overall. Worked as hard as ever, dovetailed well with Hause when tracking back and offering an outlet when passing. Had an excellent cross converted. Hard to justify any reason to drop him. Kamara at RWB must end for everybody's sake. He doesn't know where to be or how to receive it on his weaker foot. Play Hungbo there or Gaspar. That said, he went off ill looking at our Twitter feed so there's some mitigation for a notably below par performance. Kayembe was awful first half and good second half. Needs to be told to just carry the ball and not pass as much, although he's doing the work of both Asprilla and Choudhury at times when passing so understandable he's sometimes looking over stretched. Choudhury was OK. Tenacious but limited on the ball, doesn't shirk tackles and doesn't hide. Asprilla was mixed. Goes missing then pops up out of nowhere. Think a last 20 minute sub role for now may work better as he doesn't influence the game enough to take a starting spot despite his clear talent. Bayo is looking like a £5m striker. Good movement and hitting the target now. Was regularly outmuscled but didn't hide. Alright link up play when he could get on it but nothing to write home about. Not an Andre Gray bad first touch but it definitely needs work. Pedro was trying too hard. Some lovely moments of skill and awareness wasted by others not converting then trying to over do it and losing it. Made 2 very notable defensive sprints to held the team. Davis looks a very, very high quality player and Rotherham couldn't contain him for most of his cameo. I'm really optimistic. Could and should have had an assist in the first 5 minutes and looks deceptive for his size.
He was ball watching and didn't track the man for their goal. Sure Kabasele should have done more to head it away, but Cathcart had fallen asleep - as occurs too often. I agree Kamara can't continue there, but Hungbo is also left footed. WTE yes, Pollock nope! Aside from those, generally agree with your assessments.
We lost to QPR at home though, we aren’t and won’t win all our home games, so that’s where it immediately falls down
Cathcart is our only remotely two footed passer of the ball at the back. Thought he read the play well today (goal aside) and covered Kamara's blushes more than once. He was ball watching but it wasn't his man either. Tough one to resolve RWB. Gaspar is the obvious choice assuming Ngakia not fit, but nobody else fits bill even slightly. Pollock in centre of 3atb I think would work in same vein as Sierralta; aireally strong and tackles well but slow and needs easy pass options. WTE is obvious choice for the spot as he's a good basic defender who wins challenges and would be better shielded when Sierralta is unavailable
Already said it, but please stop playing a back 3! Bachmann Gaspar/Ngakia Sierralta Hause Kamara Choudhury Kayembe Sarr Pedro Sema/Hungbo Davis has got to be the way forward. Then when Louza is back, drop Kayembe. We have whole week before our next game. As much as I like Edwards, if he persists to play a back three with Kamara at RWB, I will be in the Edwards out camp already. Why can we never get a manager that plays our freakin strongest team. Another note. Edwards is as bad at substitutions as Hodgson is. It’s criminal!
Sorry but Pollock is easily the worst of those possible options at the moment - there's a reason others are ahead of him on the bench. Calling him just "slow" doesn't really cover it! Yes Cathcart did improve, while Kabs didn't, and is better than Kabs on the ball - but Cathcart still has pretty much one moment every game where he falls asleep when there's a runner off him to gift the opposition an easy goalscoring opportunity.
