I think we need to temper our expectations with Bez a little. He’s only managed over 20 appearances in a season once in his career. In terms of magic in a bottle it’s the same for Hanlan, his return will not be the solve all that we would love, in terms of goals or goal involvements.
I find it funny how "2 up top" is not a thing anymore. We will struggle to keep Vokes, Kone and Udoh happy if we don't do that occasionally. And then with Hanlan to come back too...
Unfortunately there aren't many combinations of the 4 (on paper at least) that look like they would work. Udoh and Kone perhaps the exception.
I think Hanlan and Wheeler have big parts to play this season. I think they both have more to offer given a run of games.
We were in this game and although I’d have taken a draw we could have won it with slightly better performance at key times and less injuries. The decision to penalise Leahy in the build up to their equaliser was frustrating.
No doubt, Birmingham have a mid table Championship squad with several international players. They deserved to win and will be very likely to top the league. I think we have a good squad but would like a win to settle nerves.
I was happy with how we competed today but also angry that we're trying to compete in the 3rd division with a club who have spent over £15million in the summer, on top of retaining players like Paik. This is lunacy. Yes Birmingham were a superb footballing team but so they should be after spending that kind of money. Half of me wants them to fail spectacularly, half of me wants them to go up so we can be rid of the financial inequality.
Dreadful, arrogant fans too. Too long in Villa's shadow has turned them into Morlocks.
Doesn’t It show the strength of the league as a whole that such a valuable squad is in the “3rd division”?
Finance is important though- they were good but are presumably taking a big risk they will get promoted this season. If they don’t how long can costs be met with revenue?
Yes I do wonder whether 4-4-2 could be the way forward.
You don’t see a lot of it these days - Unai Emery’s Villa team often do - but it’s quite rare generally.
However, in a squad with lots of forwards who would benefit from playing in a pair, no obvious No10 and energetic rather than ball carrying midfielders there might be a good case for it.
I’d quite like to see us try it. Certainly in preference to going to 3 at the back which would lead to McCleary and Sadlier being mothballed.
With all the back room staff now in place and data anaylists how have Wycombe started the season without sufficient centre back cover? We all know Taffazoli's injury record and to not strengthen sufficiently in that position is poor. Likewise, we're crynging out for another wide player. Relying on McCleary who has 1 good game in 7 is again questionable planning. In addition, the team lacks pace across the park which needed to addressed. There is no pace in the team which limits how we can play. Pace gives you an outlet. Hopefully the adjustments will be made but so far the recruitment element 'could do better'.
1. He was not named on the bench today. Whether that be injury, fitness or not selected - that speaks volumes.
2. Half a season at Ebbsfleet does not automatically make you League 1 standard. It might help towards that progression but if you've ever played non-league football, you will know that even playing a team even in the league above....the difference in standard is massive.
I personally prefer the best eleven in their best positions, no matter who cost what. If Max can be dropped for getting a red card last season, Harvie can be dropped for thinking he is a matador instead of a left back.
I thought Wheeler performed well, wide right and with license to play more centrally and in the box, towards the end of last season. But he’s certainly not an out and out winger.
Comments
A disturbing image @floyd
I grant that the LOL of the day
I think we need to temper our expectations with Bez a little. He’s only managed over 20 appearances in a season once in his career. In terms of magic in a bottle it’s the same for Hanlan, his return will not be the solve all that we would love, in terms of goals or goal involvements.
On a brighter note Kone remains a spark
I really enjoyed the rebellion lager. £6 is fairly steep in Wycombe though.
Play Vokes for 90 mins as well, since apparently that means he’ll score 8 goals. Now there’s some xG.
I find it funny how "2 up top" is not a thing anymore. We will struggle to keep Vokes, Kone and Udoh happy if we don't do that occasionally. And then with Hanlan to come back too...
Unfortunately there aren't many combinations of the 4 (on paper at least) that look like they would work. Udoh and Kone perhaps the exception.
I think Hanlan and Wheeler have big parts to play this season. I think they both have more to offer given a run of games.
Maybe I was just sulking after queuing for ages!
It’s a cliche but it’s remarkable how people can come away with such different perspectives from a performance like that.
There are so many issues that need addressing. Even the encouraging aspects have caveats to them.
We desperately need to add some quality in the last two weeks of the transfer window.
We were in this game and although I’d have taken a draw we could have won it with slightly better performance at key times and less injuries. The decision to penalise Leahy in the build up to their equaliser was frustrating.
No doubt, Birmingham have a mid table Championship squad with several international players. They deserved to win and will be very likely to top the league. I think we have a good squad but would like a win to settle nerves.
What is it Ainsworth used to say, we might have just played the champions?
I don’t think there is any case for dropping one of the top ten record buys in the club’s history after just three (admittedly disappointing) games.
I really think we need to be playing two up front (as things stand). Kone and Udoh look so at ease with one another. Maybe 4-4-2 is the way to go.
Certainly agree with your last sentence.
i initially thought we needed 3 more (quality) players (no 10 and 2 wingers). Think we need another defender as well now.
I was happy with how we competed today but also angry that we're trying to compete in the 3rd division with a club who have spent over £15million in the summer, on top of retaining players like Paik. This is lunacy. Yes Birmingham were a superb footballing team but so they should be after spending that kind of money. Half of me wants them to fail spectacularly, half of me wants them to go up so we can be rid of the financial inequality.
Dreadful, arrogant fans too. Too long in Villa's shadow has turned them into Morlocks.
I was following the game in a Manchester pub. It was 5.80 for a pint of Landlord (Timothy Taylor).
Against this mark is wwfc's pricing wrong?
Doesn’t It show the strength of the league as a whole that such a valuable squad is in the “3rd division”?
Finance is important though- they were good but are presumably taking a big risk they will get promoted this season. If they don’t how long can costs be met with revenue?
Send this clipped photo to @Kim_il_Swan and @yougov
They will make a childish painting of a map and pass it off as something interesting
Have you ever done your coaching badges @glasshalfempty ?
I think quality has been there and ready to come in all summer
Yes I do wonder whether 4-4-2 could be the way forward.
You don’t see a lot of it these days - Unai Emery’s Villa team often do - but it’s quite rare generally.
However, in a squad with lots of forwards who would benefit from playing in a pair, no obvious No10 and energetic rather than ball carrying midfielders there might be a good case for it.
I’d quite like to see us try it. Certainly in preference to going to 3 at the back which would lead to McCleary and Sadlier being mothballed.
Just watched the highlights. Minor observation with big consequences.
That's twice in two weeks that Bishop makes a save some way off his line, and the rebound has fallen to the opposition resulting in a goal.
Is it Bishop's positioning, lack of reaction from our side, or just luck that it falls in favour of the inevitable goalscorer?
With all the back room staff now in place and data anaylists how have Wycombe started the season without sufficient centre back cover? We all know Taffazoli's injury record and to not strengthen sufficiently in that position is poor. Likewise, we're crynging out for another wide player. Relying on McCleary who has 1 good game in 7 is again questionable planning. In addition, the team lacks pace across the park which needed to addressed. There is no pace in the team which limits how we can play. Pace gives you an outlet. Hopefully the adjustments will be made but so far the recruitment element 'could do better'.
Given Skura is 22 and has had a decent half season behind him at Ebbsfleet isn’t it reasonable for him to be our 4th choice defender?
if not, how are we ever going to find out if he’s good enough?
Certainly preferable to signing someone on loan who is his age or younger and with even less first team experience.
The counter argument to that is....
1. He was not named on the bench today. Whether that be injury, fitness or not selected - that speaks volumes.
2. Half a season at Ebbsfleet does not automatically make you League 1 standard. It might help towards that progression but if you've ever played non-league football, you will know that even playing a team even in the league above....the difference in standard is massive.
Maybe he’ll get a chance in the Tinpot Trophy games.
I think the case is in your own parenthesis. 😁
I personally prefer the best eleven in their best positions, no matter who cost what. If Max can be dropped for getting a red card last season, Harvie can be dropped for thinking he is a matador instead of a left back.
I thought Wheeler performed well, wide right and with license to play more centrally and in the box, towards the end of last season. But he’s certainly not an out and out winger.
I received an exemption due to my iron lung.
Oliver Cromwell
Yep, a couple of seats were thrown out of the stand, why I don’t know they were winning at the time .
shits must be shit