If we get this right.....

[INTERUNITED]

It's going to be absolutely amazing to watch. That first half of football (defending aside), was at times breathtaking. I get people are pissed off with the scoreline, but there are definitely positives to be taken from that. We all know we need 2 centre halves and a ball winning midfielder (I'll add a right back and right winger to that as well), but you can see what Selles is trying to do. Put Vini and Anel in that side and I think we win comfortably. Well now see how much the board wants us to win promotion, as our season now rests on them. No more £300k Bulgarian experiments, we need proper championship hardened players. We get them in (and currently it's a big 'if') and we could be in for a very good/exciting season!! UTB

 

[TommoM]

I came away thinking the same, yes I was incredibly annoyed at the result but I thought going forward in the first half we were brilliant.

Get a proper defence and we will be fine

 

[SwissBlade]

It’s not just replacing the defenders it’s a system that leaves us very exposed. Very Keegan

 

[Blades98]

Play RND combined with Peck at DM in a system like that was always going to be a disaster. Judge it when the suitable players are in. Agree with OP.

 

[BrayfordsBushyBeard]

Selles made Hull and Reading very solid defensively. Given time on the training pitch and the right recruits we can but hope !
As ever UTB !

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

I thought there were times in the first half where we looked as unplayable as Leeds did last season. Sort out the defence and we'll win more than we lose playing like that. Nothing wrong with the system, just need to get recruitment right.

 

[richblade]

we conceded 4 which is humiliating and being on Sky as well

that could have easily been 7 or 8

what a fkin shambles that defence was - like watching kids in the playground

 

[Down the Channels]

There was so much to like in the first half, but the signs of what was to come were also clear. We need some leaders and some physicality, we were bullied at times and nowhere near strong enough in the tackle. Bristol City played very well, struggling to think of many better performances from the away team the whole of last season, got the tactics right (which other teams will now copy) and they made their own luck - but did have the run of the ball. I honestly think 3-3 was more reflective of the game.
There were some worrying body language signs from our players in the second half though. If they don't all buy into the new system is will definitely fail. Selles calling the players over for a tactical chat, Hamer stood in the centre circle pretending not to notice, then jogging slowly over when asked again by Selles.
The next 2 games are huge, not for the points but for morale and confidence.
Likewise, off the pitch, the next 3 weeks will tell us where we are going to be as a club. Get the right players in and we'll be absolutely fine. If we have to make do and mend, and more players leave then it could become quite toxic very quickly.

 

[tincan]

As we didn't, this team will drop to 15000 attendances, Helmy and Rosen will have to explain this to their investors why a 92point squad, is now a relegation squad in 3 months.

 

[Ron_Justice]

What's worrying is that the first team we face, with that backline, managed to realise our weakness and exploit it almost immediately. No way can we start with those players in that system again.

On the other hand, love the play in the final third, particularly in the first half. There's a lot of work to be done, but if Sellés can get the balance right, it'll be a great season.

 

[spikeachu]

The way we were attacking, I wasn't really concerned at being 2-1 down at half time. We looked the more likely to score. Bristol had scored from a great free kick and a quick counter and were winning very much against the run of play.

It's a shame RND put his boots on the wrong feet at half time, because after he gifted them 2 goals in 5 minutes, the team seemed to accept the game was gone and the attacking energy of the first half never came in the second.

 

[loyalblade95]

It's going to be absolutely amazing to watch. That first half of football (defending aside), was at times breathtaking. I get people are pissed off with the scoreline, but there are definitely positives to be taken from that. We all know we need 2 centre halves and a ball winning midfielder (I'll add a right back and right winger to that as well), but you can see what Selles is trying to do. Put Vini and Anel in that side and I think we win comfortably. Well now see how much the board wants us to win promotion, as our season now rests on them. No more £300k Bulgarian experiments, we need proper championship hardened players. We get them in (and currently it's a big 'if') and we could be in for a very good/exciting season!! UTB

Had we not been so attacking as we were in the 1st half, and some smaller spells in the 2nd half, I would have been more concerned.

But our attacking play actually took some pressure off the defence for a time, there were even spells where we had them pinned in their own half between our equaliser and their 2nd goal.

Put any two of Godfrey, Nils Z, C Doyle and Hughes in that defence, whether you drop Bindon or not remains to be seen, personally I wouldn't drop him at the moment.

That Korean RB, again, whether you drop Seriki or not, at 26 and currently playing CL Qualifiers, he's got the experience Seriki doesn't have.

Soumare or Iroegbunam (if we sign him) for Peck as that anchor at CDM.

Those 3/4 spots in the team, we get them right and we're in business.

As for RW and 3rd choice ST, I wouldn't mind if we got someone versatile who could cover both positions, which would only take 1 spot on the bench and leave us with room for other positions.

 

[TommoM]

The way we were attacking, I wasn't really concerned at being 2-1 down at half time. We looked the more likely to score. Bristol had scored from a great free kick and a quick counter and were winning very much against the run of play.

It's a shame RND put his boots on the wrong feet at half time, because after he gifted them 2 goals in 5 minutes, the team seemed to accept the game was gone and the attacking energy of the first half never came in the second.

Same here, at HT I thought we would still win. But the 3rd goal so quickly after HT knocked the stuffing out of them and they gave up, which is criminal tbf.

I’m hoping that this is a wake up call to the board to get a new CB and RB in. I think this first game was a “suck it and see” and if we won comfortably they would think they don’t need to spend much. But now it’s glaringly obvious the defence isn’t up to it. Sort the defence, get Soumare up to speed protecting the defence and it could be a very good season

 

[Bladesman]

It's going to be absolutely amazing to watch. That first half of football (defending aside), was at times breathtaking. I get people are pissed off with the scoreline, but there are definitely positives to be taken from that. We all know we need 2 centre halves and a ball winning midfielder (I'll add a right back and right winger to that as well), but you can see what Selles is trying to do. Put Vini and Anel in that side and I think we win comfortably. Well now see how much the board wants us to win promotion, as our season now rests on them. No more £300k Bulgarian experiments, we need proper championship hardened players. We get them in (and currently it's a big 'if') and we could be in for a very good/exciting season!! UTB

If Selles gets the remaining players he needs, I'd agree.

We shall see if he gets them.

 

[loyalblade95]

I thought there were times in the first half where we looked as unplayable as Leeds did last season. Sort out the defence and we'll win more than we lose playing like that. Nothing wrong with the system, just need to get recruitment right.

A touch more composure and maybe a little bit of luck, we might have been 3 or 4 goals up by half time.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

we conceded 4 which is humiliating and being on Sky as well

that could have easily been 7 or 8

what a fkin shambles that defence was - like watching kids in the playground

7 or 8?!! Give over, Cooper made one save.

 

[71Blade]

we conceded 4 which is humiliating and being on Sky as well

that could have easily been 7 or 8

what a fkin shambles that defence was - like watching kids in the playground

Agreed however we had 20 shots one stat said most shots in a single half in a championship game. I'd like the owners to support the manager and give him decent funds to assemble a decent defence. hoping Soumare fills the Souza gap not saying we will be top 2 but playoffs I think is achievable

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Second half was dire

 

[BladeInIreland]

Was starting to think I was going mad seeing the positives.

The attacking play stats wise was Leeds last season.

Get a defence
Tweak the midfield
Cross our fingers tesms don't finish every chance like bristol did.

Our attack was very good, our defence can only get better. Didn't hull concede the least except Burnley during his time there? He will find a balance.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Get about 6 great players then we should be fine

 

[brownblade]

Agreed however we had 20 shots one stat said most shots in a single half in a championship game. I'd like the owners to support the manager and give him decent funds to assemble a decent defence. hoping Soumare fills the Souza gap not saying we will be top 2 but playoffs I think is achievable

We also need another DM because the problem is already clear if Soumare can't play a game. Also, if Soumare doesn't settle/integrate.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

We need a more solid defence to play this way. If you take Leeds last season they were so good to watch going forward but they also had a very good back 5 (Inc their CDM) to cover anything.

We can play and enjoy this style & be successful if Selles is given the tools he needs. We also need a better RW as Brooks can be horrendous some games

 

[Grappler]

On another day, we win that game. The number of shots that got a lucky block, or their keeper having the best game of his life, I lost count.

Still not sure that taking Louis Barry off was a good idea.

 

[71Blade]

We also need another DM because the problem is already clear if Soumare can't play a game. Also, if Soumare doesn't settle/integrate.

100% defence needs support

 

[Blade58]

If Selles gets the remaining players he needs, I'd agree.

We shall see if he gets them.

And we don’t sell any more next 3 weeks?

 

[Bladesman]

And we don’t sell any more next 3 weeks?

Sell everyone and start a hot dog stand.

 

[bladesince64]

Hamer was an absolute disgrace.

Clearly doesnt want to be playing in the new system and I'll be amazed if hes still at the club at the end of August.

But putting zero effort in is unforgivable.

 

[brownblade]

Hamer was an absolute disgrace.

Clearly doesnt want to be playing in the new system and I'll be amazed if hes still at the club at the end of August.

But putting zero effort in is unforgivable.

Eh?

 

[brownblade]

We're going to have to expect to concede some goals this season. But we're hoping to win a lot of entertaining matches. Doesn't sound too bad does it?

 

[LondonBlade89]

Same here, at HT I thought we would still win. But the 3rd goal so quickly after HT knocked the stuffing out of them and they gave up, which is criminal tbf.

I’m hoping that this is a wake up call to the board to get a new CB and RB in. I think this first game was a “suck it and see” and if we won comfortably they would think they don’t need to spend much. But now it’s glaringly obvious the defence isn’t up to it. Sort the defence, get Soumare up to speed protecting the defence and it could be a very good season

It wasn’t so much they gave up, it just looked like they lost their heads. Even more so at 4-1. That included Selles, who went from self-assured tactician pre-game to looking a bit like a maniac on the sidelines. It wasn’t good for anyone.

I think the main point here is that in addition to the defensive solidity we need to bring in, we also need more leadership. In that moment, for me it was only really Peck and O’Hare who stepped up. I can see why Hamer as a popular squad member and attacking talisman captained the side but he can be pretty petulant overall and isn’t the man to rally the troops. The new signings that come in need to be proven players with experience of men’s football who can add to the experience and leadership to the group too.