Wouldn't really call Mebude a first team player, we offered him out for loan in the same week we signed him.
More minutes in the tank for the first team. I'm keeping an open mind on Deeney as things stand as he's starting games. Trialist getting another game, fitting in nicely. Sounds like we played well and hopefully we can get some last minute business done by Gino and the team. They never do bad business. Shame about the injury but he was always just padding for the U23's so we should be OK. Will have a new pod up tomorrow!
Anyone that was there, how did we actually line up? I've assumed it was Fletcher and Deeney up top, Sema left, Cucho right, Gosling and Zinckernagel in the middle. Is that right? If so, that is a comically imbalanced team and would love to know what Xisco was hoping to learn from it.
Seen tweets that it was still 4-3-3. Gosling, Zinckernagel, Sema the midfield three. Fletcher left, Deeney down the middle and Cucho on the right.
Whatever, it's still pointless playing him when he doesn't do what a player in his position is generally supposed to. Plus when was the last time he scored a decent header like that? It's not what we should be having to rely on our wingers for. Troy's just useless.
Complete joke mate, I was supposed to be taking my young nephew for his birthday as he loves watching Watford no matter who we are playing, I don't live local and had already paid 50 quid for train fare. I hope City batter them. Although I watched City a liitle bit tonight and I don't think I recognised more than a few players.
I still laugh at the posts where people claim we have good depth in the squad. Cathcart showed after 90 secs that we don’t.
I'm beyond caring if Deeney is first choice 9 May as well not sign anyone new and save the money for a rebuild in 2026 when Deeney finally retires
Don't worry, Gray will still have several years left in the tank at that point, ready to really step up and take on the mantle!
He’s basically the defensive version of Glenn Murray. His decline from steady performer to absolute liability seemed to happen overnight. There were times last season in the Championship where it looked as though the ability to simply move his body in the direction it should be going looked far beyond him, ffs.
Really? He was good last season I thought, especially during the run in. He's not a Premier League player though, should have been sold to someone in the Championship a couple of years ago but probably got a new deal instead.
He did indeed get a new deal. At age of 30 with 2 years still to run we gave him a 2 year extension until 2023. Meanwhile at the same some Hughes was 24 with 3 years left to run and we didn’t bother with that one. Top contract management.
Always baffled by the extensions for ageing, average centre backs. Presumably it's because the Pozzos hate the idea of anyone leaving for free but what would the market value of a 32 year old Cathcart or Prodl be? Couple of million at most? They weren't suddenly going to have a break out season that made them in demand for better teams. And paying senior pro wages to declining back ups limits your room to refresh the squad. Having said that, nothing will ever compare with giving an injured at the time, permanently injury prone Janmaat a new contract in the middle of a relegation fight and then paying him off a few months later with him never even getting back on the training pitch. Whoever sanctioned that extension should've been sacked on the spot.
And is forced on our new manager as 1st team coach no doubt! I also no longer care about this situation. The club has descended into self parody and farce. There's no point in getting wound up about this level of blind stupidity. At least we can't get relegated to league 1 this season.
The Stevenage game - how did Sonny Blu Lo-Everton shape up? It was his first 'full' squad appearance?
Thought he looked superb. Couple of times he probably should've played someone in but instead went for goal, but decision making will come with experience. Lovely footballer.
That Coventry tackle on Deeney got us promoted. It will forever be known as 'the miracle of St Andrews'
And his contract is up at the end of the season I think. They probably won't bother with that one though, isn't it time Kabasele got another deal?
Personally, I feel that Lo-Everton and Abbott will be ready to turn out for us in the Champo next year, or in the prem the year after that.
Watch Deeney score the winner against Villa then get handed a new three year deal. I think Nath would combust.
Was very much a 433 with Fletcher on the left and Cucho on the right of Deeney with Sema on the right of Gosling in midfield and Zincernagel on the left . However it was very fluid with Zink floating around picking the ball up from defence and trying to break lines with medium length passing . As per WBA game and under Ivic we struggled to find passes from defence to midfield forcing Troost to pass long and frequently lose possession . To combat this Zink and Sema would drop into where the FBs would be and the FBs pushing high and wide . This had some level of success but really the problem is we don’t have any midfielders who can and are willing to take the ball under pressure and break the lines with a pass or dribble . The only player it seems who may be able to do that is Louza but I’ve not seen him yet and he is still 22. Second half we played with far more urgency and positivity once the younger players coming in with Wise looking composed at the base of midfield and Sonny Blu impressing in a more advanced midfield role . Wouldn’t be surprised if Wise gets some first team game time but may well go on loan. Cucho impressed me again especially his decision making , playing the right pass at the right time in a way that threatened the defence . His defensive work rate is exceptional too . I can see him staring against Villa . Im not a Deeney happy clapper by any means but it has to be said he was impressive again after a good display against WBA . His link up play was very good . If King had played like him in last 2 games I would be excited about his signing so credit where credit is due. Rose was a bit hit and miss . Looks to have shed some timber but did seem a little unfit as can be expected . Made some great offensive runs and a couple of crosses. Would be safe to assume he will continue his improvement in fitness levels and hopefully start to show his quality .
I know,it’s almost as funny as the meltdown when we get eliminated from the league cup by lower leagues . There is virtually no correlation between pre season results and season performance .
