Incidentally, Saxo, I'm not arguing that we were particularly fluent. I'm just saying that there was little between the teams, despite our having lost so many influential players.
Well, we fashioned 16 scoring attempts, compared to 9 by Swansea - reported, in advance, to be one of the most creative teams in the Championship.
And we were without Dack, Holtby, Evans, Lenihan, Williams and Cunningham, who might all have been automatic choices earlier in the season.
With a patchwork team, to be so close to the play-offs looks like a reasonable achievement to me, and an extra bonus was how sharp Brereton looked.
Incidentally, there is a clip of the Walton incident on the Telegraph "live" match-thread. It looks worse every time I see it. You can also tell that the Swansea player was expecting a "red"!
Last edited by AucklandRover; 29-02-2020 at 09:37 PM.
Incidentally, Saxo, I'm not arguing that we were particularly fluent. I'm just saying that there was little between the teams, despite our having lost so many influential players.
I completely agree. And with the other post where you mention all our attacking players being injured, without Lenihan etc. We where unlucky not to beat them. And it was a red. All things considered we are doing very well to be only one win outside the play offs. With some really exciting games to come at home. Who knows, we may just not have enough in and end? Or maybe we have. I see no real clear favourite from the play off pack.
Travis would of gone in at centre half aucks.
It wouldn't of been ideal but he has played there before.
We have a extra days rest now before a tough away match against derby a week today.
Aucks.. we definitely are affected by the missing players, and are doing great in the circumstances.
Need Lenny back though.. that's clear.
I take it that we don't have early recall rights for Wharton. Also, the two U-23 centre-backs who were at the head of the queue in August - Magloire and Grayson - have both been injured. As you say, therefore, Lenihan is crucial - especially as moving Nyambe to the middle means we don't benefit as much from his attacks down the flank.
To be fair, Bennett did gradually come to terms with Ayew, and I thought he actually did well in the final 20-odd minutes, providing decent support to the forwards, and making two or three penetrating passes.
Speaking of Ayew, he is someone who has always impressed against us, but if you look at Swansea fan-sites, they say he often fades from a game, and doesn't do much when the team is on the back foot. Typical winger, I suppose you could say!
Last edited by AucklandRover; 01-03-2020 at 08:59 PM.
On that topic, Saxo, did you see that lad, Sarr, against Liverpool?
Absolutely brilliant!
What did you think of Swansea? I thought Travis had a good game, and was our best player. But he was given a tough ride vrs them. They had a young lad, Gallagher. I thought he was tremendous. He ran the game for quite long spells, and look assured. A lovely footballer.
Brewster took his goal very well (cocky little ****) but didn't do much else.
I did think Bennett improved and actually had one of his better games. I never felt there was much danger on his side.
I did feel the one who suffered the most from Lenny's suspension was Tosin. Who didnt look as assured as normal. He looked nervy, and his passing wasn't good like normal. Hes a quiet lad, as is Nyambe as is Bell. There was no leader in defence, no singular voice.
I felt Brereton coming on, changed the game. He does this most games now, then we dont see him again for 3 games. It's not on. He is a much better player than Samuel, faster, more direct, and carries more of a threat.
Samuel is no better than Nuthall. If he left in the summer, it would be down to Div1. I think he needs to be moved on, he is taking up a space a better attacker can fill. He doesn't bring enough, no real pace or skill. In no way does he frighten defenders. Chapman was a better bet than him
Aucks you recently mentioned not being opposed to SG playing left side of attack. I really am. And Sat proved when you play him in his actual position, he is very effective. He wins headers. But also is a goal threat. Armstrong was back to his normal self. Abd just didnt look interested. A really poor performance from him. I have no issues with DG having the pen. Thought it was too soon after he came on the pitch. Meaning he was a but cold. Armstrong was having such a poor day, I'm unsure he would've scored it. But no complaints, cant recall him ever missing one. It happens. Our attack needs to start being SG as centre forward. Armstrong out wide, as he is too small, and flits in and out of games too much to play centre. And Brereton. That lad HAS to start some games. It's unfair on him.