I'll be honest, I liked the sound of Dennis up front and Cucho on the left, but it's clearly not worked at all
Looks like Dennis is more of a winger after all perhaps? As for Sarr, well, we've known it for some time, electric on the counter, but not the kind of player you need to unlock tight defences when opposition teams aren't going at us in desperation, much like us in general
Yes - he did look like our most potent threat in a game of very few chances. He does need a goal that much is certain. Cuhco, as much as I like him, offered barely anything as a replacement.
King wasn't really doing anything. The issue wasn't so much King going off, but more that Cucho coming on seems even more ineffective.
Xisco couldn't decide if he wanted Cucho or Dennis on the left, they switched twice. It really was a disastrous substitution to make especially as King had just been involved in probably our best move of the whole second half.
I thought up until the own goal Cucho was presenting more of a challenge to the Wolves defence than Dennis had been from the left, but struggled with the same issue as the rest of the attackers that once he got near the box he couldn’t link up effectively with a teammate.
Of course didn't help they got the 2nd quite soon after (or it felt like it!) which meant any chance of getting back into the game was lost. The injury time period was our most threatening part of the 2nd half in fact!
King got taken off last 2 games ,and our minimal attacking threat went with it, he needs to stay on the pitch to link the play
I would guess Xisco thinks King's not fully fit, which might be true, but either way we looked worse after he departed.
Quiet in the first half, but excellent in the second, a nice assist, and a good run before the 3rd goal. I don't think he'll be hugely prolific, but he'll be a useful player for us
Had no service but still worked hard first half. Every game I've seen him, he's had a bust up with a defender at some point too. And there was a time when he went down in a heap, writhing around, didn't get the free kick so bounced straight back up and started running. Guess it'll take a while to train the Bournemouth out of him... Brilliant moment in injury time when we were caught out by a counter and he busted a gut to get back, then having caught the guy up just let him amble past him without it ever occurring to him to put a challenge in.
Yep, don’t think he’ll be prolific, but I do think his movement and ability to occupy defenders will create plenty of openings for Sarr and Dennis.
Like last season, I don't think any of our players will be super prolific, but if our midfield steps up, our four main forwards should get a healthy amount, and then it rests on whether the defence can step up to Prem level. Mixed signals so far, there have been more bad performances than good ones I'd say, but we're roughly on par for our fixtures this season, and we've hardly seen the likes of Tufan, JP, Cucho and Louza who could be important to us
Tbh if they were consistently good each week these guys wouldn’t be playing for us for long but definitely seems the way for us to go is be positive and attack rather than trying to sit back and contain teams.
I mean the squad is definitely set up best to be a counter-attacking outfit, but we do need a plan B, because we've looked toothless so far when the opposition have scored first
The good thing is that he isn't hiding. He came on for Norway the last few games and missed a couple of sitters. As people say just needs a goal and it will arrive soon. It looked like there's an understanding starting to develop between the front three with some good interchanging so I will take the positives out of the performance.
Thanks for posting. King seems like a decent bloke. Really enjoyed hearing Gifton talk, with the obvious passion he has for the game. What a man.
Would love to see GNW as main stream pundit, better than 99.9% of the chancers currently stealing a living.
I liked when GNW described the sections of the team. Saying the midfield was strong and solid, but when he started talking about the defence he dug himself into a whole and just said it's not going to keep clean sheets....lol.....before going onto the exciting part he really wanted to talk about.....the forward line. I liked the honesty of that. He was kind and positive but not ridiculously sugar coating everything like many do.
King is a player .... he will be vital for us this season - may not get loads of goals but is vital for the wide players and offers a focal point for the team
Thought King was exceptional on Saturday, especially in the second half. Made some brilliant unselfish runs to create space for others. Brilliant assist for the second goal and was incredibly unlucky for the third after a really good first touch (the ball from Clevs was fired in at him). His play deserved a goal really. I do think he will get that elusive goal sooner rather than later, perhaps even on Saturday. Still think he will bag at least 12 league goals for us.
Would love Gifton to coach here at some point. He's done all his badges and always think his analysis is pretty good. Would be great to see him starting with some underage groups and see how he gets on.
You think he will stay 3 seasons then ? Agreed, good player and a smart signing as focal point to replace Deeney. The fluidity of the front line is great and doesn’t allow the oppo defence to settle.
Another game, another goal against a former club, can we draw Blackburn and Bournemouth in the FA Cup semi and final?
Anybody else think his decision making in a promising position are usually poor? The worst thing is his conversion rate, he seems to miss the kind of chances you will count on Dennis or Pedro to convert though his hold up play is the best. I still remember that free header early in the game against United, if United were good on that day, they would have punished us after missing that chance. The most painful is the one against Brentford, we were leading 1:0, it's the 80th minute and one of our counter attacks led to Dennis creating a good chance for King to kill off the game, but King's shot was so weak the keeper saved it comfortably, looking at the reaction of Ranieri and Dennis at that moment made me felt Brentford might score late to draw that game afterwards, we all know how that ended. Till date, I still keep on looking back wondering if only King had shoot the ball with more strength and the keeper had to make effort to punch the ball instead of saving it comfortably, it probably would have change the out come of the game as Brentford were very poor till that time and we looked solid defensively up to that moment. Against Newcastle, we looked more comfortable defensively, even our midfield wasn't really poor, all we needed was for our front three of Pedro, King and Dennis to step up, but King was the poorest of that front three, I expected the game to end up badly for is when one of our early attacks led to King who shoot poorly from 25 yards rather than push the ball more forward or give the ball to Pedro who was in a better position. I think our 3 new signing have improve the team and with more game time, we will get better defensively and the Centre Forward position will possibly be our weak link if we don't do something about it this window, it might even be the reason why we will get relegated. If we can't get a better forward this transfer window, signing a good winger won't be a bad idea as Dennis can also play as the striker. Sent from my TECNO P701 using Tapatalk
I said this on the shoutbox yesterday, I think King is getting to look like Andre Gray MkII more and more each game
His levels have dropped a bit but he’s still working hard for the team and getting in to good positions. As with most forwards, I think if he can get a goal he’ll play better all around with renewed confidence for the next few games afterwards. Dennis is probably a better finisher, so we have the option of playing him at #9 with two of Pedro, King and Cucho on the wings. Dennis could learn a thing or two from King about standing up strong though. Looks for the freekick too often.