Thought tucudean was good, he's obviously not a goal scorer but his knock ons and passing was good. A link up player as opposed to a goal scorer. Just needs to grasp the pace of the game a bit more
oh good a Leaburn replacement
Yep. Or a Kermorgant replacement. That'll do me.
Trust me, he isn't a Kermorgant replacement. In the two games I've seen him he hasn't really done anything. Goes long spells without touching the ball.
Other than that we looked dominant - didn't really get out of first gear.
How on earth is Joe Gomez only 17? The boy looks like he has been doing this for years. If you haven't seen him yet, you're in for a treat. Reminds me a bit of Micah Richards in his pace and strength. Throw in a bit of Rio Ferdinand for composure and skill.
I bloody love Lawrie Wilson - two great finishes!
Bikey is a monster defensively. He actually eats strikers when they get the ball. Not just that but he's very decent technically which is rare for a player of his type.
Just out of interest how was their keeper poor? Except for the last goal where he should have held the initial shot, there's nothing more he could have done.
Solid and professional. Always been a Wilson fan. Sat behind Bob, very vocal and wants the ball played to feet and possession kept at all times. Promising a lot for the season in my opinion. Maybe a couple short but on the up.
After the first 10 minutes we controlled the game. Impressed with how together we were compared with last season. Bikey is a complete monster - credit to whoever scouted him. Cousins comfy in the centre. Star of the show for me was Lawrie Wilson - not just for 2 goals but for the way he charged around and took control, making chances. His style was very Poyet-esque - perhaps he's learned from Diego and is stepping up? Vetokele and Gudmundsson impressed although their time on the pitch was limited. Church scored - which will do his confidence no end of good - and we will need everyone in the team to be confident this season if we want to stay out of the bottom half. All round impressed with the effort against a team who weren't prepared to give up trying even though they were down to 10 men. This is going to be an interesting season I think! We have some good opposition to play against and I look forward to seeing our lads give them as hard a time as possible!
Just out of interest how was their keeper poor? Except for the last goal where he should have held the initial shot, there's nothing more he could have done.
Did well not to get anything on Wilson's first goal, and palmed two Gudmundsson shots straight into the middle of the box, one resulting in a goal.
Personally thought Colchester looked decent enough with 11 men, tried to pass it out from the back. Buyens took a while to get into the game, but bossed it when he did.
Glad I decided to go. Pretty much agree with the comments so far on individual performances. Will add my own thoughts on the players marks thread in a minute. A few observations on the match day experience:
1. The valley is in good odour. Spick and span and the pitch is a triumph. I was low down in the west (see below) and the advertising hoardings looked dangerously close to the touch line!
2. Kit doesn't look quite as bad in the flesh as I'd expected. Don't like it but I'll cope.
3. Some teething troubles. I was there relatively early, queued up for some time at the commercial centre and spend a few minutes explaining to the well intentioned but either deaf or dim chap on the till that I wanted two seats, six or seven rows from the back. Guess where I ended up (clue above)? Yep, virtually on the pitch. Really annoyed. Then spent twenty minutes in a queue to buy one of our new pies. Eventually gave up. Staff just couldn't serve quickly enough and there seemed to be till problems. Noticed lots of coffee buyers coming back to their seats way after the second half had started muttering about the queues. Obviously this was the dress rehearsal but it was a shambles and needs to improve pronto.
Defensively I thought Gomez and Bikey were very good. Bikey is a monster of a man. Fox was ok but quite wasteful going forward. Colchester didn't really offer any threat so comfortable evening.
Buyens was very impressive. Excellent at getting himself goal side and winning back possession and then keeping it. Moussa looked fine and I thought Wilson took his goals very well. Cousins is such a talent but can be wasteful at times when it could be kept simpler. That's not to say he didn't do well though.
Tucadean looks to me like he needs to shift some timber and up the pace. Looks like he's got a football brain though and will come good.
Vetokeles movement in just the 20 mins he was on really impressed me. Will be a handful. Gudmonsson is quality and looks like he's comfortable anywhere.
I know it was 10 men and a side from a league below but I'm excited by this squad. We are two deep in most positions (another CM and ST needed) and have exciting players and some that can handle themselves. To me this squad and first 11 is an improvement on last season.
Thought midfield conceded ground to readily but orders seem to be to regroup behind the ball when losing possession.With a brick wall at the back in Bikey it is effective. Not enough early balls played to front runners I thought. Gudmansson improved this when he came on.
Yep, mind you he's been getting a fair amount of stick and there were a few ironic cheers when an attempted header at goal nearly hit the corner flag so can't blame him for giving it back
Anyone see Church do a "sh" celebration when he scored? Knobber
Not really the crime of the century though. He has a point to prove and if people give it, they should be prepared to take it. I'm sure Church is aware that he's not the most popular player at the club so just a bit of letting off steam. Imo.
Anyone see Church do a "sh" celebration when he scored? Knobber
Not really the crime of the century though. He has a point to prove and if people give it, they should be prepared to take it. I'm sure Church is aware that he's not the most popular player at the club so just a bit of letting off steam. Imo.
This, his goal was a tap in after the keeper failed to hold a crisp fierce shot from JBG but he anticipated well and fair play to him for being there to tap it in.
Deep joy. A 1st round League Cup game that I thoroughly enjoyed. Tbh, we played Colchester off the park, with nice passing football along the deck. Everyone played well & there was hardly a misplaced pass all night.
It's difficult to single any player out, but if I must then Wilson was MOM and looks excellent in right mid. I hope he plays there Saturday. Scored 2 and could have had 4.
Gomez had an excellent debut & looks like a seasoned pro, as does Fox, who impressed more than Wiggins on Saturday.
Morro played well. Bikey dominated again. Henderson looks sound.
Cousins & Buyens played well.
Gudmondsen, Harriot, Moussa & Vetokele (when came on) were quiet.
Tucudean gets in positions, but looks a bit slow & ponderous & runs looking at the ball, so he can't see what opportunities there are.
Anyone see Church do a "sh" celebration when he scored? Knobber
Not really the crime of the century though. He has a point to prove and if people give it, they should be prepared to take it. I'm sure Church is aware that he's not the most popular player at the club so just a bit of letting off steam. Imo.
This, his goal was a tap in after the keeper failed to hold a crisp fierce shot from JBG but he anticipated well and fair play to him for being there to tap it in.
I'm going with this, because just before Church scored he was very quickly on to a keeper parry in almost identical circumstances to the goal. His anticipation and speed for his goal wasn't a fortunate one off, he was looking to do what he did as he had just 'rehearsed' it rather well. Many people can criticise Church for loads of reasons, but he was for tonight at least, better for us than Igor.
And Gudmunsson seems to shoot from absolutely everywhere
He seemed to be playing just behind the striker where Moussa was playing until subbed and is not afraid to give the ball a dig and dig it he can. Good to see a midfielder who is not afraid to shoot and strike a ball hard. Expect goals to come from JBG regularly and if the shots don't go in there will be plenty of scraps for Igor :-)
In my opinion Gomez, Morrison, Fox and Wilson all made solid cases for inclusion on Saturday.
I think Cousins should be played centrally and would put up with some poorer performances to give him the chance to develop properly there.
I agree that some are being a little harsh on Tucudean, but think he's struggling to get with the pace at the moment.
Moussa was buzzing around off Tucudean and looks like he can make things happen, but looked like someone making his first start of the season tonight.
Bikey is a beast, Gomez at 17 is incredible, Lawrie showed why he was the true player of the year in 13/14. Buyens will improve with time as he also gets used to the pace of the game. Henderson looks safe in the air but uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. Gudmundsson looks very classy indeed.
The one big question that I've just been thinking is, where does Jackson fit in the new look side? I love him and I'd find it hard to leave him out but we've got so many more options than we did last year.
Thoroughly enjoyable game with 4 goals & a clean sheet to boot. Better attendance than I expected but well done to all that turned out for Bob's home debut. Pretty sure no-one supporting the home team went home disappointed.
To add my thoughts to those of the majority of earlier posters, there's no way that Lawrie should miss out on Saturday. Felt he was unlucky not to feature at Brentford but really showed what his forte is tonight. Bob has quite a dilemma on the right now, it seems.
Good to see Morro back where he belongs & thought he & Bikey were a force to be reckoned with.
And our trio of young guns - well, we should be the envy of most, if not all Championship managers. Little more to say..
My observations of our manager from behind the dugout tonight indicate that, as someone pointed out after last weekend's game, he is quite a stern taskmaster. Quite a lot of head shaking with few smiles, accompanied but then this is a serious business. This is a man who knows just what he expects from each & every one of his players - and it's clear he intends to get it.
Guessing that Wigan had a scout there tonight & that he was duly impressed with our slick passing, resolute defence & number of shots on target. No doubt he's on his way back north with plenty to think about before he briefs Uwe in the morning.....Can't wait for Saturday !
Just seen the goals again on SSN and not sure whether the defender meant to handle the ball therefore warrant being sent off, possibly a tad harsh. Well taken pen by Buyens though. Second goal was a header by Cousins (his lime green boots give it away) to Wilson and not set up by Mousaa as the Sky man incorrectly reported. Moussa did however play in Wilson for the third. Church tapped in from an assist of sorts from JBG's shot.
Everyone seems to have already made the salient points. Good performance all round, impressive debut from future England star Joe Gomez, 4 goals - nice evening.
Good performance from the boys. No one played below par. Special mention to Joe Gomez. First time I have seen him play. Wow. 17 year old boy playing like a seasoned pro on his senior debut. This lad is special player who Bob will find very difficult to hold back. He is ready for the first team without question.
did what we had to do put 10 men to the sword---how many times and teams have we seen that couldnt do that ?
Buyens and Cousins in the middle could be a very good combo Gomez very good and very quick Wilson MotM Not sure at all about Tucadean ----Church did more when he came on The Icelandic geezer loves a shot and could be one of the finds of the season Igor needs to calm down a bit and get onto the ball in dangerous positions he is looking for it all over the show---great heart.
Tucudean has the same lack of confidence in front of goal that Church has. However, I think he is a better link-up player. There was 1 backheel tonight (I think in the lead up to our 3rd goal but I might be wrong) that was sublime.
Gomez will be a star for us, whichever position he plays.
Very excited by the sounds of this team, can't wait to get back to see them! We've been waiting to see Wilson play right midfield again since he scored the brace there last season, but never seemed to play in that position again. Selection problem for Big Bob, but nice problems to have. Did Harriot play up front again? he seemed to have a lot of attempts at goal according to the report.
Comments
Other than that we looked dominant - didn't really get out of first gear.
How on earth is Joe Gomez only 17? The boy looks like he has been doing this for years. If you haven't seen him yet, you're in for a treat. Reminds me a bit of Micah Richards in his pace and strength. Throw in a bit of Rio Ferdinand for composure and skill.
I bloody love Lawrie Wilson - two great finishes!
Bikey is a monster defensively. He actually eats strikers when they get the ball. Not just that but he's very decent technically which is rare for a player of his type.
Bikey is a complete monster - credit to whoever scouted him. Cousins comfy in the centre. Star of the show for me was Lawrie Wilson - not just for 2 goals but for the way he charged around and took control, making chances. His style was very Poyet-esque - perhaps he's learned from Diego and is stepping up?
Vetokele and Gudmundsson impressed although their time on the pitch was limited. Church scored - which will do his confidence no end of good - and we will need everyone in the team to be confident this season if we want to stay out of the bottom half.
All round impressed with the effort against a team who weren't prepared to give up trying even though they were down to 10 men.
This is going to be an interesting season I think! We have some good opposition to play against and I look forward to seeing our lads give them as hard a time as possible!
1. The valley is in good odour. Spick and span and the pitch is a triumph. I was low down in the west (see below) and the advertising hoardings looked dangerously close to the touch line!
2. Kit doesn't look quite as bad in the flesh as I'd expected. Don't like it but I'll cope.
3. Some teething troubles. I was there relatively early, queued up for some time at the commercial centre and spend a few minutes explaining to the well intentioned but either deaf or dim chap on the till that I wanted two seats, six or seven rows from the back. Guess where I ended up (clue above)? Yep, virtually on the pitch. Really annoyed. Then spent twenty minutes in a queue to buy one of our new pies. Eventually gave up. Staff just couldn't serve quickly enough and there seemed to be till problems. Noticed lots of coffee buyers coming back to their seats way after the second half had started muttering about the queues. Obviously this was the dress rehearsal but it was a shambles and needs to improve pronto.
Not enough early balls played to front runners I thought. Gudmansson improved this when he came on.
Not really the crime of the century though. He has a point to prove and if people give it, they should be prepared to take it. I'm sure Church is aware that he's not the most popular player at the club so just a bit of letting off steam. Imo.
Tbh, we played Colchester off the park, with nice passing football along the deck.
Everyone played well & there was hardly a misplaced pass all night.
It's difficult to single any player out, but if I must then Wilson was MOM and looks excellent in right mid. I hope he plays there Saturday. Scored 2 and could have had 4.
Gomez had an excellent debut & looks like a seasoned pro, as does Fox, who impressed more than Wiggins on Saturday.
Morro played well. Bikey dominated again. Henderson looks sound.
Cousins & Buyens played well.
Gudmondsen, Harriot, Moussa & Vetokele (when came on) were quiet.
Tucudean gets in positions, but looks a bit slow & ponderous & runs looking at the ball, so he can't see what opportunities there are.
Church came on & snaffled a goal. Good for him.
Excellent, entertaining & thoroughly enjoyable performance.
Well done one and all.
PS The chicken balti pies at £3.50 were yum, with plenty of chicken. Good night all round.
Many people can criticise Church for loads of reasons, but he was for tonight at least, better for us than Igor.
--------Henderson
Solly - Bikey - Gomez - Wiggy
-----Cousins - Buyens
Wilson -- Moussa -- Gudmundson
--------Vetokele
I think Cousins should be played centrally and would put up with some poorer performances to give him the chance to develop properly there.
I agree that some are being a little harsh on Tucudean, but think he's struggling to get with the pace at the moment.
Moussa was buzzing around off Tucudean and looks like he can make things happen, but looked like someone making his first start of the season tonight.
Bikey is a beast, Gomez at 17 is incredible, Lawrie showed why he was the true player of the year in 13/14. Buyens will improve with time as he also gets used to the pace of the game. Henderson looks safe in the air but uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. Gudmundsson looks very classy indeed.
The one big question that I've just been thinking is, where does Jackson fit in the new look side? I love him and I'd find it hard to leave him out but we've got so many more options than we did last year.
To add my thoughts to those of the majority of earlier posters, there's no way that Lawrie should miss out on Saturday. Felt he was unlucky not to feature at Brentford but really showed what his forte is tonight. Bob has quite a dilemma on the right now, it seems.
Good to see Morro back where he belongs & thought he & Bikey were a force to be reckoned with.
And our trio of young guns - well, we should be the envy of most, if not all Championship managers. Little more to say..
My observations of our manager from behind the dugout tonight indicate that, as someone pointed out after last weekend's game, he is quite a stern taskmaster. Quite a lot of head shaking with few smiles, accompanied but then this is a serious business. This is a man who knows just what he expects from each & every one of his players - and it's clear he intends to get it.
Guessing that Wigan had a scout there tonight & that he was duly impressed with our slick passing, resolute defence & number of shots on target. No doubt he's on his way back north with plenty to think about before he briefs Uwe in the morning.....Can't wait for Saturday !
Onwards & upwards !
Buyens and Cousins in the middle could be a very good combo
Gomez very good and very quick
Wilson MotM
Not sure at all about Tucadean ----Church did more when he came on
The Icelandic geezer loves a shot and could be one of the finds of the season
Igor needs to calm down a bit and get onto the ball in dangerous positions he is looking for it all over the show---great heart.
Gomez will be a star for us, whichever position he plays.