17-09-2022, 09:20 AM
(17-09-2022, 09:07 AM)DR Forest Wrote: I actually think there were plenty of green shoots of optimism in that display.
Despite 6 minutes of madness, the team kept trying and were the better side for the last quarter.
This is exactly where I expected us to be in terms of team performances, if not points.
But for the injuries to Niakhate and Mangala, arguably two of our three most influential signings with MGW, I'd bet we would have at least double the points tally we have now.
The difference in the last two games has- ignoring how the chances arose- been world class finishing.
Yet at the other end, brennan cant control a perfect ball and Awoniyi cant hit the target with a second header 2 yards out. Its not even championship quality finishing.
If we had reached 2-0 we could have brought in OBrien and Kouyate and managed the game from there. But it wasnt to be.
The challenges are simple:- get everyone fit/match fit (Niakhate, mangala, Kouyate)
Get everyone to understand their roles and the team; and
Be brave in selection decisions: start Dennis over Brennan, Aurier over Williams etc if it is warranted.
Ignoring that MGW scuffed a really good chance at 0-0 after a perfect ball from Brennan? Also. Repeatedly underhit through ball opportunities.
Why would you bring in worse players? Further upsetting the balance of a team already struggling to gel.