General Reaction

[Albionic68]

That?s what I meant subbed to the bench by a useless c unt! How?s that for an plain English 😂

As plain English goes that's pretty bad in all fairness mate 😂 😂 😂 .

[Omegstrat6]

Only just had the opportunity to watch the full match replay on Albion tv. Still a few too many sloppy passes and the final decision making and finishing certainly needs to improve but pleased to at least see the desire with them battling for the ball as well as showing more attacking intent, especially in the first half.

I like Mepham but thought Bielik (who is used to covering at RB as well as C was decent and playing 3 at the back seemed to generally work well. Playing Styles in midfield (as he does for his country) and in front of Taylor at LB suits him better and gives us more attacking options. What I don't get is why playing Heggabo or Maja/ Dike should be mutually exclusive?

Elsewhere, I thought Grant was ok first half tbf but he faded in the second and, like many, I don't understand why Mikey didn't start as he is quicker, can run at players and links up well with Styles on the left wing. Playing Bielik at RB also seemed to enable Illing Junior to play a bit wider than he has in recent games.

Had either Price or Illing Junior been a bit sharper then we could have gone into the second half 2 goals up but as it was Charlton came out far stronger in the last 45 and whilst a draw may have been a fair result at 90 mins we yet again conceded in extra time. I agree with 68 that Johnston's challenge was weak but also looks like the ball took a deflection so not going to criticise Griffiths too much for that one, especially as he'd already saved a penalty.

Not a great performance, especially in the second half where we created little and allowed Charlton to come into the game more, but Mason seemed to have at least allowed them to play with more freedom to go forward. Some small signs of encouragement then.

[Leicesterbaggie]

Only just had the opportunity to watch the full match replay on Albion tv. Still a few too many sloppy passes and the final decision making and finishing certainly needs to improve but pleased to at least see the desire with them battling for the ball as well as showing more attacking intent, especially in the first half.

I like Mepham but thought Bielik (who is used to covering at RB as well as C was decent and playing 3 at the back seemed to generally work well. Playing Styles in midfield (as he does for his country) and in front of Taylor at LB suits him better and gives us more attacking options. What I don't get is why playing Heggabo or Maja/ Dike should be mutually exclusive?

Elsewhere, I thought Grant was ok first half tbf but he faded in the second and, like many, I don't understand why Mikey didn't start as he is quicker, can run at players and links up well with Styles on the left wing. Playing Bielik at RB also seemed to enable Illing Junior to play a bit wider than he has in recent games.

Had either Price or Illing Junior been a bit sharper then we could have gone into the second half 2 goals up but as it was Charlton came out far stronger in the last 45 and whilst a draw may have been a fair result at 90 mins we yet again conceded in extra time. I agree with 68 that Johnston's challenge was weak but also looks like the ball took a deflection so not going to criticise Griffiths too much for that one, especially as he'd already saved a penalty.

Not a great performance, especially in the second half where we created little and allowed Charlton to come into the game more, but Mason seemed to have at least allowed them to play with more freedom to go forward. Some small signs of encouragement then.

A pretty good summary and as you state, most of us were bemused by the fact that Johnston was left on the bench. Also, I do believe that a fit Mulumby adds needed energy to the side despite the fact that he is limited creatively. In my opinion Illing-Junior flatters to deceive. From my point of view Saturdays game v. Oxford could be season defining on many levels.

[baggieal]

A pretty good summary and as you state, most of us were bemused by the fact that Johnston was left on the bench. Also, I do believe that a fit Mulumby adds needed energy to the side despite the fact that he is limited creatively. In my opinion Illing-Junior flatters to deceive. From my point of view Saturdays game v. Oxford could be season defining on many levels.

I agree! We all agree Wallace is past it albeit ok to be a sub, Junior is not great - so why can?t Mason have the balls to start Bostock?

Still say our biggest problem is the midfield as no quality, pace or creativity. Styles is average at best.

Lose to Oxford Mason must be on his bike as the boos will be almighty loud!

[baggiematt]

I agree! We all agree Wallace is past it albeit ok to be a sub, Junior is not great - so why can?t Mason have the balls to start Bostock?

Still say our biggest problem is the midfield as no quality, pace or creativity. Styles is average at best.

Lose to Oxford Mason must be on his bike as the boos will be almighty loud!

What if he isnt good enough to make the step up? It is a massive step up. A lot of younger lads take a loan or two before making the grade as it gives them a chance to play with men, not kids. Bostock hasnt had that.

The coaching staff will be monitoring and putting players in order by position and at the minute Bostock is behind Grant.

It’s brave to put a kid in this toxic environment when we are so crap.

[Omegstrat6]

I agree! We all agree Wallace is past it albeit ok to be a sub, Junior is not great - so why can?t Mason have the balls to start Bostock?

Still say our biggest problem is the midfield as no quality, pace or creativity. Styles is average at best.

Lose to Oxford Mason must be on his bike as the boos will be almighty loud!

I agree that a lack of creativity in midfield continues to be one of our biggest problems Al but also acknowledge that with Molumby and Collyer being presumably unavailable through injury, Mason's current options are even further limited.

As others have pointed out, Mowatt may no longer have the pace but we miss him when he doesn't play and he is a battler but Diakite, whilst keen to push forward, hasn't the quality I'd hoped he might begin to show with more game time. If Molumby was fit, I agree with Leics. that he offers more with the energy he brings . I notice Bany is now on the bench quite regularly and he was supposed to be a midfield player recruited because he fitted the game model Nestor wants. I get that after being out for so long with an injury he won't play 90 yet, but worth giving him a chance?

It may be wise to revert to 4 at the back against Coventry and Blues but against Oxford I'd like to see a more attack minded formation again. Styles does lack quality in areas but is better playing in front of Taylor and supporting Mikey on the left wing. You're right about Illing Junior flattering to deceive LB but I thought he was better against Charlton and Beilik at RB did allow him to play wider which was an improvement on previous games where our attacking movement was too narrow. Even so, I don't disagree that Ollie Bostock should be given some game time now to see what he can offer and he can play either wide or more centrally.

No point having Mikey/ Illing Junior/ Grant putting crosses into the box if there aren't enough players to aim for though. Heggabo does battle to hold the ball up and I'd be tempted to keep him because of this side of his game but he is no natural goal scorer so I'd like to see Maja start alongside him even if this means not playing Price who has not yet rediscovered the performances of his early games.

I don't foresee the Oxford game being an easy one but how we perform could certainly make it a defining one.

[baggieal]

What if he isnt good enough to make the step up? It is a massive step up. A lot of younger lads take a loan or two before making the grade as it gives them a chance to play with men, not kids. Bostock hasnt had that.

The coaching staff will be monitoring and putting players in order by position and at the minute Bostock is behind Grant.

It’s brave to put a kid in this toxic environment when we are so crap.

Bostock is a cracking player and do you really think he would be any worse than Wallace or Junior FFS. Mason has no balls unlike Arteta who played a15 year old kid in the Champions League. The Champions League and those type of players who play in it compared to the Championship is like the difference between a Range Rover and a Skoda.

The majority would cheer a kid on regardless of whether we lose. Cheering on a player like Wallace on almost 30K a week when he?s ****e well enough said!!

Balls but Mason has none with his cautious approach. Job coming up soon at Port Vale for him perhaps 😂😂