Cotterill etc

[Micalijo]

Only saw the BBC highlights but Cotterill seemed to be operating in much more central areas.

Some excellent passing movements and a tremendous win. Hard for me to say this but Blackwell has clearly got to take massive credit.

Please can we try and do this at home.

Are we better suited to away games - probably. We seem very easy to stop at home - let Monty have the ball close space down etc - but I was pleased with most of what I saw at Boro and we looked good on the highlights.

WBA had loads of chances against Ipswich and obvioulsy will be a threat but I can't see them closing us down like Leicester.

What I did note was they had a huge holding midfielder with the ability to strike a ball from edge of area. These players do exist Blackie.

 

[Santos]

Good post Mic. The move for Henderson's non goal was something which if Arsenal did MOTD would have been raving about it, counting the passes etc. We've shown we can play some really decent stuff under Blackwell (although I am the first to admit it's been in shorter supply than the direct game), the problem is that with an expectant crowd at home games and the vast majority of teams coming to shut up shop and either nick a win we find it difficult. I can understand the fans fustration even if I can't understand the methods they wish to show it, we've got a very good squad on paper, spent relatively a lot of money yet we struggle to break down teams or come up with a plan B against sides such as Leicester and from last year, Forest, Wednesday, Blackpool & Doncaster.

It's a much better game for us when a team comes with an attitude of going all out for the win such as Derby last year.

Looking ahead to WBA, Robson's best game as manager was WBA at home at maybe an identical part of the season, as they played an open game, I don't think they will change under Di Matteo.

Should be a good game, difficult to call, plenty of chances for both teams.

 

[Toronto Blade]

If I remember rightly the unclean came right at us from the off in both games .That is what put us on the defensive.They will probably try the same tactic against us this season.
Although we have come from behind to get results this season this shows alot of confidence ,last season we had a tremendous record when we scored first.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Would Ward up front with Henderson OR Evans, with Treacy/Reid and Cotterill on the wings give us more movement and make us less predictable at home?

 

[cooperblade]

Would Ward up front with Henderson OR Evans, with Treacy/Reid and Cotterill on the wings give us more movement and make us less predictable at home?

I think so Bergen. I'd also hope it would make us a little less direct. Brown and Hobbs were superb in the air against Evans and Henderson on Tuesday night, I'd like to have seen them up against Ward with more balls played into feet or into the channels.

In the two home games so far, we've only started to stretch teams when Walker has overlapped. I think that by having 2 quick wide men and a pacey player up front, we'd be giving teams a lot more to think about defensively.

I don't think we could get away with Howard in this formation so we'd have to go with Monty and Quinn in the middle of midfield. A taller, stronger option to Quinn would give this side excellent balance.

Bunn
Walker Morgan Kilgallon Taylor
Cotterill Montgomery New CM Treacy
Evans Ward

I suppose ideally you'd want to go with the quicker option at LW (Reid) but it would be difficult to drop Treacy at the moment.

 

[Bergen Blade]

. A taller, stronger option to Quinn would give this side excellent balance.

I'd hoped we'd go for Sparv, the Finnish U21 captain. 6'4, strong in the air, good passer, hard worker, has youth experience in England, was available for nothing in January, or a nominal sum now. He's just agreed to join Groningen though.

 

[frechyblade]

We might get an opportunity to see Reid if Treacy's calf injury is a bad one.
UTB