Louie Barry and Positivity

[SwissBlade]

He missed half a season of football, but he’s proved he can finish. Give him a chance to blow a few of the cobwebs off and get up to speed. He certainly makes things happen and we don’t have many of those.

Cobwebs need blowing away as well as stepping up to this level. It’s a snap view after one game

 

[Jon B]

If someone showed you the match stats before the game (minus the final score) I'd have snapped their hands off.

Strange strange game.

Defensive moments cost us. But it was a known risk.

I think the system needs tweaks and bodies. Not the self destruct button.

The problem is defensive weakness was very much "a known risk". All of us knew it. All of us.

So why wasn't this obvious frailty addressed before season start?

 

[Nick Jansky]

Cobwebs need blowing away as well as stepping up to this level. It’s a snap view after one game

Yep, far too early to make any sort of judgement.

 

[Jon B]

Barry looks a really good player.

 

[SwissBlade]

Yep, far too early to make any sort of judgement.

Of course, just commenting on what I’ve seen

 

[BladeInIreland]

Barry looks exactly what we need to make this work. I know it's down our list of priorities but if we could get someone similar on the right we would be laughing. Brooks should be our option from the bench.

 

[ATL Recs]

Barry looked - great

O Hare looked - decent

One looked - awful

Cannon looked - awful and stuckout on wing = ridiculous

Agree with this

 

[ATL Recs]

The problem is defensive weakness was very much "a known risk". All of us knew it. All of us.

So why wasn't this obvious frailty addressed before season start?

Our defensive frailty has been around since 26 December last year - crazy nearly 9 months later nowt been done to sort it

 

[Pintor75]

He did well, especially first half, good to see people getting in the box too, unfortunately let down by shocking defending

 

[Loco Blade]

Can he play CB ?

 

[JohnDenver]

Our defensive frailty has been around since 26 December last year - crazy nearly 9 months later nowt been done to sort it

It’s been allowed to get much worse. Our experienced loanees have gone, replaced by a kid. Our best defender sold. It’s now beyond critical.

Also, our fullbacks are incredibly attacking, exciting players. They need licence to attack knowing the central defensive players can cover. But that cover is league 1 standard at best.

I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that back 4 is the worst defensive unit I’ve seen in a league game since Swindon 5-5 Blades.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Hard to compare, I think, given there was much more time and space first half. I thought Cannon did ok, in the situation. Very unlucky do have his shot blocked by Superman!

His chasing back to keep a ball in play in the second half showed that the desire is there to do well

 

[robbiez666]

His chasing back to keep a ball in play in the second half showed that the desire is there to do well

I noticed that as well. He was quick as well. Properly putting a shift in.

 

[Frank the tank]

Maybe but other players have cramped up as well not just those 2.

With Hamer its always his calves that seem to play up on about 60 mins.

Hamer cleverly conserved energy by not breaking into a jog all game

 

[Yewsman]

I get the impression that CW spent all or most of this seasons parachute payments in advance in the last JTW unload fees and salaries for people like CHOUDERY and Holding plus Cannons transfer fee. Hence apparently reluctance to invest in new decent CBs.

 

[ancientblade]

Hamer cleverly conserved energy by not breaking into a jog all game

hamer let the team down big time yesterday didnt turn up and looked disinterested im sure hes on his way thought barry showed great promise but for me brooks was woeful again it was the type of performance that saw jrs.pinch his spot last season

 

[Frank the tank]

hamer let the team down big time yesterday didnt turn up and looked disinterested im sure hes on his way thought barry showed great promise but for me brooks was woeful again it was the type of performance that saw jrs.pinch his spot last season

Yeah im a huge fan of brooks but he had one of his timid scared shitless games when he really need to.step up

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Yeah im a huge fan of brooks but he had one of his timid scared shitless games when he really need to.step up

Looks promising. I have a revolutionary idea. He is right-footed, can beat his full-back, and he would be able to cross to Campbell and COH. Fullbacks are no longer used to wingers taking them on on the outside.

 

[Nosworthys Throw]

Maybe im just mardy because of the result but i thought he was shit! Bindon too

 

[GrayBlade]

Ok this is the best I can come up with…

 

[Bladesman]

Ok this is the best I can come up with…

 

[Rodley]

Ok this is the best I can come up with…

Ruben Selles has never won a promotion after losing the first game.

 

[GrayBlade]

I’ve just watched the game back. Must say the payers entrance looked fantastic.

 

[Gin&Juice]

Looked great attacking. Like a rejuvenated Michael Myers in Halloween 4.

 

[Rodley]

I’ve just watched the game back. Must say the payers entrance looked fantastic.

Weerz that? SUTV?

 

[GrayBlade]

Weerz that? SUTV?

Sky’s live match coverage when the players are waiting to come out. It looks like it’s had a makeover, new paint job and LED lighting etc.

 

[The Fox]

It's difficult to find which threads to add my own thoughts to be here is as good as anywhere .

Saturday was a bizarre situation and a bizarre match and result . Anyone plotting the course of the season based on that would be a bit daft .

We're definitely a work in progress, having to to use the flotsam and jetsom of a defence , waiting for signings that become available and and can be completed is frustrating.

Roll on September when all the ins and outs are done with , the squad is complete and we have some idea of what might take shape .

Barry looked eager , probably over eager if anything but that's understandable.
We created alot of opportunities which on another day would have had a different story .
What we don't need is squad fillers , no better than what we have. We need players that suit what selles is trying to achieve , his style of play and philosophy.

I doubt all that will be achieved in a single transfer window but better than a panic buy , spunking money on players to fill gaps .

Yep its going to require patience , I'm sure it is frustrating for the club and manager but no need to allow Saturday to change course .
We look to have some latitude in the wage and transfer budget and it needs to be used wisely .. hopefully that's what happens


UTB .

 

[Dave]

Biggest stat difference for me about Saturday was "Touches in the opponents box". Last season we had 1159 touches in the opposition box. Which equates to 25 per game on average. This was 4th best, Leeds topping this with 1413 touches - which is 30 touches per game.

On Saturday, we had 50 touches in the opposition box. Every other minute we were in their box. This is 17 times (from the stats i can find) more than our best touches last season. This is such a huge positive from a performance which most people have lost their head at. Especially with the x.g of 2.3, which sits comfortably up there in the top 5 of all of last season

 

[Silent Blade]

Ok this is the best I can come up with…

We lost 3-1 at Orient in the opening game of the 1970-71 promotion season too.

 

[CrookesBlade]

We lost 3-1 at Orient in the opening game of the 1970-71 promotion season too.

Saturday reminded me (defensively at least) of the Middlesbrough away fixture in 2018 after we’d just signed Egan, who was written off as an expensive dud straight after the game.

I suppose the difference here is the defence was in place at that point, just needed to gel.