Problem I think is, what is his position ? I don't think he's a fullback, which I'd always assumed we'd got him for. I think he's a better winger than a fullback, but Do we need him as a winger when we have GMac, Mehmeti and Horgan, never mind Kaikai. I wasn't saying I don't think he's a bad player, I just don't think he's a defender. In my own humble opinion, we need another left sided defender, as first choice or back up at least
What a bonus that Alfie has been able to complete a handful of games so early in his comeback from serious injury. He is absolute class and with Taf fit again and Forino getting better with every game we are blessed with three outstanding central defenders.
Mawson is sublime. If he stays fit he will be one of the all time great signings.
As for the rest of the game we should have taken GMac off. He was toiling. Mehmeti still had the full back licked and we should have had the trust in Ali with Freeman on the right for longer.
Hey ho. Draw with Charlton and we are dissatisfied. Sign of the times
Entertaining and frustrating in equal measure. A lot of slick passing movements in the first half in “the final third” but a combination of impressive defending by Charlton and indifferent Wycombe finishing combined (again) to frustrate us. Apart from Mehmeti’s goal, only Nick Freeman’s powerful drive from just outside the 18 yard box came close, skimming the bar by a few inches. I thought he did very well generally, with one important defensive intervention on the edge of our own box towards the end of the game.
Thought Ali Al-Hamadi also did well but he was outwrestled a couple of times by Charlton’s powerful defenders and was rather theatrically upended from behind on another occasion. Surely he’s not 6’1” @Malone ? That’s what Wikipedia reckon. When he was standing next to GA on the touchline waiting to come on, he looked only slightly taller than the boss man.
Always hard to tell @micra. I remember thinking he was taller and stronger looking than I'd imagined, but he was against a couple of unit defenders, so probably it's just a comparison thing.
It’s interesting that Hanlan and Kaikai barely get a mention in the ‘if only…’ comments. Two very threatening players we have in the squad or are we resigned to accepting their fitness limitations or just not seeing them in the current set up ?
Re. Hanlan: anyone else see the problem with not being told about something as serious as that? Some us might be quite concerned about our players' welfare and want to know they're at least on the mend.
Comments
What more does Obita have to do to get the recognition he deserves? He's had a stuttering start to the season, but he's plainly class.
Surely Obita is one of the first names on the teamsheet when fit.
He's clearly not been fit this season yet, and unfortunately seems to have slipped into niggle/injury territory to be missing today.
It's been a very strange summer really hasn't it.
The keeper saga.
The risk to wait for Mawson.
Loads of players injured for the first month, or clearly not at their full fitness.
Obita is an excellent player.
I hope JJ’s form is just a result of a short/odd pre-season, but I worry that players can just fall off a cliff at his age.
Obita hasn’t looked anything like his best this season either, maybe he’s been ill for a while.
Hayes went off an absolute cliff at the end
Problem I think is, what is his position ? I don't think he's a fullback, which I'd always assumed we'd got him for. I think he's a better winger than a fullback, but Do we need him as a winger when we have GMac, Mehmeti and Horgan, never mind Kaikai. I wasn't saying I don't think he's a bad player, I just don't think he's a defender. In my own humble opinion, we need another left sided defender, as first choice or back up at least
He's probably best as a WB, but I'd feel much more comfortable with him than JJ at LB. I think we need to add one regardless.
Although he rolled back the years at White Hart Lane. He was so good that day
That was sad to see.
Shifted out wide due to Bayo being the key man, and just had totally lost his legs.
Alfie Mawson's distribution from the back is so good, with either foot.
When he's pinging those passes onto Sam Vokes' head we are going to be a very dangerous side indeed
Sadly a whole bunch of games against the "big" teams are coming up in September and October, which I have a suspicion Vokes may well miss.
I was watching out for which foot he hit those with today purely out of curiosity. Didn’t seem to matter, fully two footed.
What a bonus that Alfie has been able to complete a handful of games so early in his comeback from serious injury. He is absolute class and with Taf fit again and Forino getting better with every game we are blessed with three outstanding central defenders.
Mawson is sublime. If he stays fit he will be one of the all time great signings.
As for the rest of the game we should have taken GMac off. He was toiling. Mehmeti still had the full back licked and we should have had the trust in Ali with Freeman on the right for longer.
Hey ho. Draw with Charlton and we are dissatisfied. Sign of the times
Don't worry, Gaz says Vokes is "not too far away".
Cue to him appearing on the next pre-match drills in a full body cast.
Maybe he just means it geographically, as in he is having a nice cuppa in the next room...
Was about to say similar lol
The phrase he used was “just round the corner”.
Entertaining and frustrating in equal measure. A lot of slick passing movements in the first half in “the final third” but a combination of impressive defending by Charlton and indifferent Wycombe finishing combined (again) to frustrate us. Apart from Mehmeti’s goal, only Nick Freeman’s powerful drive from just outside the 18 yard box came close, skimming the bar by a few inches. I thought he did very well generally, with one important defensive intervention on the edge of our own box towards the end of the game.
Thought Ali Al-Hamadi also did well but he was outwrestled a couple of times by Charlton’s powerful defenders and was rather theatrically upended from behind on another occasion. Surely he’s not 6’1” @Malone ? That’s what Wikipedia reckon. When he was standing next to GA on the touchline waiting to come on, he looked only slightly taller than the boss man.
I don’t think he needs to fast. He’s solidly built but I wouldn’t call him fat. Wouldn’t dare !
But you'd agree about the kicking, yes?
Always hard to tell @micra. I remember thinking he was taller and stronger looking than I'd imagined, but he was against a couple of unit defenders, so probably it's just a comparison thing.
The true identity of the lino by the main stand has been revealed
It’s interesting that Hanlan and Kaikai barely get a mention in the ‘if only…’ comments. Two very threatening players we have in the squad or are we resigned to accepting their fitness limitations or just not seeing them in the current set up ?
We're just assuming that they're out for the season, given Hanlan's major abdominal surgery and Kaikai's ankle break in the Hoops friendly.
Re. Hanlan: anyone else see the problem with not being told about something as serious as that? Some us might be quite concerned about our players' welfare and want to know they're at least on the mend.
I don't remember us playing QPR in pre-season either. Shows how much attention I paid!