Thought they all played well but Hamer, Kayembe, Kone and Bayo were stand out. Bayo must start as our main striker. He brings so much more to the team than Raj and had a hand in 4 goals, His 2nd goal was brilliant, he made a lung busting run tracking back to help Lewis then made the pass to Kayembe and bust his ass to get into the box to score. I loved the way he pointed to where he wanted it and slotted, loved it, fkn loved it! It is coming together slowly and I hope we can push on. The confidence in the squad must be building.
For me he always hesitates for some reason after he's done the hard bit. Today he decided to take an extra step rather than shooting as soon as he got round the keeper which cost him. Can't remember exactly but didn't particularly look off balance to me. Vaguely remember the one earlier in the season and think that was a mix of balance/hesitation
Shout out to their striker who shushed the away fans after putting them 1 nil up... only to then get pumped 1-5
What a great performance. One thing I've really noticed in our recent run of results is how some of the younger player are really growing in confidence. In a couple of games Kone has had moments where he's trying to take the game by the scruff of the neck, picking the ball up deep and driving the team up the pitch single handedly, whilst against Ipswich I noticed Asprilla trying to call the play, getting into other players and clearly trying to direct them off the ball. Fantastic to see them growing as players and hopefully it'll be with us for the foreseeable.
Excellent performance and an excellent away day. PNE were quick to exploit our weak full backs in the first half but all through the middle of the pitch we were in control. TDB just isn’t good enough whether he plays in midfield or at right back. Quite why a 19 year old Andrews needs a rest I don’t know. Full backs aside we were excellent. Hamer made some incredible saves, our midfield trio were superb and Bayo tore them to shreds. Great away following, and we are still improving every week. VI is a perfect fit for us.
Well, didn't see that coming. That really was a team performance but Hamer, absolutely brilliant between the sticks, long may it continue. Koné is a different gravy, he has this languid, rangey running style and is gaining in confidence. It is wonderful to see and another excellent goal and assist. The much maligned Bayo as well, very well taken goals, especially the nonchalant second but really should have had a hatrick.
Think you've answered your own question there! The history of football is littered with kids who burned bright but burned early, with him being a full-back who likes to get up and down and with a hectic schedule coming up, I have no problem with being careful with his gametime
Yeah presumably it’s largely to do with the lack of serious cover for his position. I guess if TDB had done ok today Val could have considered some rotation over Xmas. Can’t see it now.
For me Bayo was MoM. 2 great goals but his link play, the way he held the ball, stretched the defence, chased everything, cute little passes, it was a really terrific performance. Even the shot that was cleared off the line, I'm really not sure he did a lot wrong, and I don't see any great hesitation that others have referred to, always a chance he hits the defender who is back covering the line.
What's with Bayo and Rajovic wearing yellow plastercasts? (Rajovic has worn his for the last month at least). Has it become superstitious? Or somehow both injured their left arms in training?
He’s started 11 games this season. I know modern players are more feeble but seems a bit over the top to be resting him already. Either way we now know TDB is no better at RB than he is in midfield. RB is an area to strengthen in Jan.
Rajovic injured his arm in one of his first appearances for us, can't remember exactly how but he finished the game holding his wrist as he was continuing to play. Next game he had a cast on (was white rather than yellow though). Wonder whether it then became a superstition to keep wearing one, Bayo then thought he wasn't hitting a barn door with a banjo so thought he wanted on on the lucky action... Either way, crack on lads seems to be working at the moment!
Agree on strengthening that and effective CDM cover as the two I would look to sign as well. Everywhere else we have effective cover to enable effective rotation but we have nothing for those two.
So far only Ipswich have scored more goals than us this season with 21 to our 20 (14 of those in 3 games). Leicester & Saints are on 18. It's shaping up to be an excellent season. Been steadily improving, and I think the trend will continue. All without sacking the manager, who'd have thought?
Nice to see our players having the confidence to shoot from outside the box. VI has helped transform Kayembe and Kone from non-scoring midfielders to a decent threat for us. Crucial when we don't have a top striker.
In situations like these you have to remain rational and keep things in perspective. It's easy to let what is important be clouded by your emotions. Keep your eyes firmly fixed on what matters. On that basis, divorce seems a perfectly reasonable response to this particular chain of events.
Sorry, are you talking about the 2nd half or something else, we have scored 35 goals in total and are the 6th highest?????
Always nice to wake up and find you've drunkenly booked Plymouth away with official coach 7am pick up. Winning
Just been rewatching the 4th goal again on about 7 minutes in. Didn't appreciate it was Bayo who brought it out of defence and had the vision to play it through the Preston players legs to Kayembe before racing into the box to complete the superb return pass from Kayembe. For a split second I thought at the time he'd put it wide but great finish. Fantastic goal and my pick of the bunch.
Nice. Unfortunately I've woken up at 6am to my cat having knocked over the Christmas tree playing with a mouse he's brought in. Broken baubles and chaos everywhere. Still can't really be too annoyed the morning after a 5-1 away win.
40 minutes of "oh my gawd, FFS he's given it away again" football followed by 50 minutes of heaven . For me ,Hamer was MOTM as he kept us in the game when we were not at the races . Also I'd like to mention the teams desire to keep the ball out , late on , when the game was won . It would have been easy to knock off and concede a late goal but the boys kept on until the end and celebrated Hamers save like it was a 0-0 or 0-1 game !!
Just watched those extended highlights….the biggest thing for me is the togetherness in the squad. We haven’t seen that for years. Kayembe, Kone and Bayo all maybe pushing for a spot on Strictly next year. All the players going to Bachmann at the end of the game. I love this team spirit.
One thing I noticed in the extended highlights is Martins shoddy tackle attempt and then he just stopped moving which gave the winger time to cross for their chance at 2-1. If that had gone in.... I would guess that's the side if his game that Val feels is the risk.
Absolutely and I think that team spirit started when VI was given that extended contract when things weren't going so well. Whether consciously or subconsciously, I think our players got into mindset that they were in control and, if they didn't like the manager, then another one would be along in a minute. The Pozzos have (finally) realised that a supported manager, with the ability to discipline even the most "important" players, will create a team that "are all in it together". Not all managers would have "come good" with this support but thankfully VI, with his no exceptions approach to player discipline, appears to the man to do it. I wonder how Deeney would have gotten on with him.....
Yep. I liked the various coaching staff celebrating with the players and it looked like there was a genuine connection. also VI giving little Asprilla, who must have been disappointed not to play, a man hug.
I’m calling it now: if Kayembe carries on like this, he will be right in contention for Player of the Season.
