Madine Yes, Dowell No

[GuangzhouBlade]

Thought Madine was superb today. Won everything in the air against two giant centre halves to bring Billy in to the game. Looks two footed for a "target man" if he plays like that every time he plays I wouldn't care if he doesn't score a goal between now and May.

Dowell I was less convinced about seemed to get caught in possession a lot, although in fairness Norwich were looking to press us. I think it was plain to see what a difference Duffy made when he came on taking men out the game and finding space.

For me I'd be quite happy for Madine and Sharp up top next week although Didsy may have something to say about that. Its so nice to have options at the top of the pitch. Washington hasn't done anything wrong either after a great performance at Brentford. Still would like a fast winger type like Hernandez today or Montero to chuck on as needed but can't complain too much. UTB

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

The Washing Machine haters are gonna fuck you big time

 

[Captain]

Always start with Duffy in my opinion, Dowell can come on but not a game changer!

 

[Harry's Game]

Be a bit strange to award Mcgoldrick a three year deal then instantly drop him for two games.

 

[Smirth]

McGoldrick is a far better footballer so should be back in the first team next weekend.

 

[dc_blade]

I thought Madine was okay but not much more than that. His touch looked better when he came on against Swansea. But he's clearly a very decent player and looks an astute signing. Has a part to play.

Dowell has got something about him, for me he's already showing more than Woodburn. But when Duffy plays that role he always wants the ball, is always an option just about wherever we are on the pitch. Not quite sure Dowell offers us that yet. But, again, I think he looks a good option for the rest of the season.

 

[S40BLADE]

Neither good enough to get into the starting eleven.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Thought Madine was superb today. Won everything in the air against two giant centre halves to bring Billy in to the game. Looks two footed for a "target man" if he plays like that every time he plays I wouldn't care if he doesn't score a goal between now and May.

Dowell I was less convinced about seemed to get caught in possession a lot, although in fairness Norwich were looking to press us. I think it was plain to see what a difference Duffy made when he came on taking men out the game and finding space.

For me I'd be quite happy for Madine and Sharp up top next week although Didsy may have something to say about that. Its so nice to have options at the top of the pitch. Washington hasn't done anything wrong either after a great performance at Brentford. Still would like a fast winger type like Hernandez today or Montero to chuck on as needed but can't complain too much. UTB

His first two contributions have been excellent. Whether he fits our style of play and makes our team function better overall, I'm less convinced about.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Dowell will be good in games where we have more possession. He wasn’t great today but looked positive at the start at least and likes to get forward.

Madine was awkward and strong and as you say he brought others into the game. That strike just be he was brought off was superb for a supposed out of confidence forward. He should have done the same in the first half though when he had chance to instead of a poor squared pass.

A good option to have and you could tell their defenders didn’t like him being around.

Would still play the conventional 11 at home against weaker teams as they’ve got us to where we are.

 

[Weasel]

Both Madine and Dowell will do well for us.

I think Wilder called it right again as well today re starting with Dowell and Madine. It was Duffy coming on which turned it for us (he put the ball in for the equaliser too).

Chris got it right.

 

[bromtom]

Some good feet too from Madine at times. Not just a blunt instrument.

 

[Joshp]

Be a bit strange to award Mcgoldrick a three year deal then instantly drop him for two games.

Sometimes you need a hammer, sometimes you need a chisel.

 

[FTPE]

I like what Dowell offers, he breaks fast, bursts past players and shoots- a lot, but he did have a poor game today.
Duffy simply can't be dropped at the moment.

 

[Topplayersleave]

Dowell will be good in games where we have more possession. He wasn’t great today but looked positive at the start at least and likes to get forward.

Madine was awkward and strong and as you say he brought others into the game. That strike just be he was brought off was superb for a supposed out of confidence forward. He should have done the same in the first half though when he had chance to instead of a poor squared pass.

A good option to have and you could tell their defenders didn’t like him being around.

Would still play the conventional 11 at home against weaker teams as they’ve got us to where we are.

I agree, I think Dowell will be very good in a team that has a lot of possession.
Listening to the radio it seems that he carry's the ball well for twenty or thirty yards but when looking to make the pass it wasn't on and he got closed down on a number of occasions.
He's also probably a player that looks to go through the middle instead of always looking wide, so the forwards have to make clever runs for him

 

[sheffielder]

The Washing Machine haters are gonna fuck you big time

And just when he starts crying we are going to go in again

 

[Brian Deane]

Calgon looks like a player with quick feet and has the speed of thought which is definitely something we need and proved today that he can hold the ball up well.

 

[Wards]

Madine was fantastic. Allowed us to attack that bit quicker as we had something to play up to. Perfect for when we play away. Seems intelligent on the pitch which is surprising given he seems thick as fuck off it.

 

[Sheff de party]

Dowell is going to be a very good footballer I think.

Enjoyed watching him today, but would have hooked him a bit earlier.

Arm round the shoulder, bit of praise though. Looked confident and I’m very glad we have him. We actually look like we have some depth.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

All in all a good solid display by Madine
and a could do better by Dowell , that’s constructive criticism btw
But all in all looks like our manager has again confounded the critics
Well done Sir Chris
Being pleasantly surprised by Madine ,
but fuck me he’s a big unit , and will frighten defenders when he’s up against them

 

[Edinblade]

I think Duffy is better off the bench these days. Otherwise we have no one we can bring on to make a difference. Totally unfair to judge Dowell on his first performance against a team like Norwich. He proved he’s a good player with Forrest and I’m certain he will come good for us.

 

[blade too long]

those returning from norwich on the radio saying Dowell better than Duffy , quicker in thought and deed

its all opinions I suppose

 

[OldBillBlade]

We now have plan A and Plan B. The only difference from normal match days is we started with plan B.
Duffy came on without having chance to tire and allowing us to maintain a tempo.
Happy with a point today.
UTB

 

[PokerBlade]

Didn't get to see the game today but so far every time someone tries to step into the Duffy role we get to see just how difficult a job it is. He drifts across the full width of the pitch and he reads the game well enough to always be with the play. Only player I can think who's done similar for us was Quinn. No reason to think Dowell can't learn the role quickly but it's no surprise if it doesn't come naturally.

 

[WoodMillBlade]

weird ey. I thought Madine against Swansea offered nothing while Dowell looked like someone who would scare and split defences.

Still think Madine was a silly signing by Wilder.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

I thought Madine did well and should he keep his place against his old club Bolton next week? He's bound to score surely.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

If you listen to CW's interview it seems that Madine and Dowell have been included for what HE sees during the week in training. Might be a bit of authors license, but fully expect McG and Duffy to start next week v Bolton.

McG and Duffy have had a bit of a rest also - we might have to get used to this swapping of front players for games - don't lose sight of the big prize and at least we have more options at the business end of the pitch.

We're in a great position.

Did any of you listen to CW's pre match? He's not looking behind - only what's in front.

Some of you also need to go and have a look at the games of ALL the present top 5 during February - others have a far tougher month than us - it's still in our hands.

One game at a time.

UTB

 

[Kryten]

Dowell appears to be very much a flair player. When losing possession today he appeared to have no desire to get it back. He seems a little disinterested to me but maybe he just needs time to settle in.

Madine has a good game I thought.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Next week at home Goldy/Duffy back in. Proven performers and don't deserve benching IMO, not like the Pig and Dowell did enough to rip the shirt away today was it.

 

[Ricky]

Dowell has lots to offer. No matter how determined some are to write him off.

Madine is Madine. We knew what we were getting, no one should be surprised. He's good at what he does. I always fancied us from crosses when he was on.

I think Wilder was right to start the two. I think he had Duffy on the bench to help combat Norwich's usual strong finish - that worked. Bringing him off the bench could be a good move in a lot of games. Especially as Dowell grows into the team and contributes more.

 

[biggey blade]

For me I thought madine looked a real pain to play against there defenders didnt like playing against him. I thought he had a very good game and won everything we put to him. Always looked a threat with balls crossed into the box and had a couple of decent shots the one just before he came off was a real rocket. He looked a little bit low on confidence at first and think there was one he could have had a go with but instead choose to put a poor cross in but overall I think he was very good and one of the best players on the pitch. Dowell looked a quality player and looked totally different to Duffy in that he was very direct every time he got the ball he looked up and wanted to get forward very quickly and ran past players, the only problem on a couple of occasions when he did break quickly and run past players he then had no other option as the rest of our team was still trying to catch up with him. Thought both had decent games and think they both offer us some thing totally different to what we had. Suddenly adding strength to the bench that we knew we needed. I'd like to see one more come in before end of the window, And for me it would be a like for like back up for fleck because if he has a off game we have no way of subbing him with out changing the formation.