We're not going to dominate too many away games....we haven't got the players. So the hope is to score...and maybe nick a second goal to really open it up. This is a really tough league and we look like a team that might finish about halfway up. That said, it's still very early and anything is possible...upwards or downwards.
As has been said before, not expecting any loans before 30th, which is the Tuesday we play Norwich, so we may only play against Boro, before we bring in at least one loan, hopefully
Still unbeaten, still picking up points, still drawing from winning positions, still a work in progress.
Very much work in progress. Gave the ball away far too much. Too casual, almost looked like they believed tgry were too good for Rotherham. Wiggins is a disadter waiting ti happen. Thought Jacko had his best game for a long time, especially 1st half, Cousins put in a good shift
I would still be really happy with a top half finish but as football fans it is hard not to get carried away/excited when your in the top 6 for a few weeks, so days like this are just so frustrating.
Bossed the first half, got hammered the 2nd. Overall, deserved a point, and would have taken that before the start tbh. I don't buy this "Rotherham were fitter" line - they had their tails up and were running on adrenalin. Very pleased that JBG opened his goals account - will be a top player for us. Doesn't get any easier - Middlesbrough at home next week, and they just beat Brentford 4-0. I hope Big Bob is bullshitting when he hints that no loanees are coming in this month. Church didn't even make the bench today, George isn't up to scratch (yet) and we need to take some of the pressure off Igor. Moussa seemed to lose the ball a lot today, and maybe Bulot or JBG might be a better option to play behind Igor in a 4-4-1-1 formation.
Didn't listen to the game but followed the match thread. Seemed like the past 5 games where we have struggled to get possession in the 2nd half. It is a worry, need a target man to help hold the ball up, think someone like Poyet would also help in midfield.
But not too disappointed we keep picking up points rather than losing!
Back in the Cutlers Arms post-match. A few initial thoughts.
We started the game poorly and sloppily and got caught in possession in dangerous areas three times in the first five minutes. That seemed to set the tone and Evans and his coaches had clearly done their homework in terms of pressing the Bikey/Ben Haim/Buyens triumvirate.
Rotherham had much the better of the first half hour but Gudmundsson - who had an excellent first half (a class above) - scored a really good goal, jinking past a couple of players and curling a nice shot into the corner. Jacko also played very well, holding the team together, and we finished the half strongly.
The second half was completely dominated by Rotherham and, whilst they lacked some imagination in the final third, no team can concede that much possession and hope to survive. They totally overran us in midfield - I was very impressed with number 11, Paul Green - and whilst the goal came from some ridiculous play from Ben Haim, it would have been a travesty of justice if we had taken the three points. We were, for the most part, unable to string more than a couple of passes together and they found acres of space, as our players seemed unable to get across the ground.
Too many of our lads had an off day, although I was pleased to see Wiggins pick up well after a very poor first half. An element of complacency/lack of concentration from our central defenders, Buyens was below par and Moussa was ineffective. We really do need some support for Igor. A decent cameo by Bulot and Solly had a sound game.
We do need a plan B, as teams are now sussing out how to counter us. All that said, it's another point on the board and another game unbeaten.
A point away is always a good point and, make no mistake, this was very much a point gained.
Heard that we'd taken the lead then went for a walk until 4.45, so disappointed to hear it was a draw, but it sounds fair enough. I don't think we're as good as people thought a few weeks ago, but we're a lot better than I thought we were going to be back in June. Unbeaten at this stage is good and we are on course for mid-table.
Didn't watch, was frustrating to read the commentary though. Moussa sounded very wasteful.
Had a feeling we would struggle second half when I read how well we did the first, sums up a few of our games.
Good news is most of the teams around us drew today as well so we're not exactly out of the mix. Can't see us getting good results against Boro and Norwich though.
Played well-ish in the first half. Second half was utterly horrific. Rotherham were average at best and gave us a footballing lesson in the second half. Why we changed the approach is beyond me. We are the luckiest team in the world.
Can't believe so many negative comments and sudden possible acceptance we may be punching above our weight at the moment.
Tough game away to a team who are on a role after promotion and Evans must be a managerial genius, so a point is a good result. We are still deservedly undefeated and can only get better. We are never negative or defensive, we are just a counter attacking side who prefer to concede possession and not because we keep giving it away easily. We played last Tuesday so must be tired. Our pitch has had lots of money spent and is lovely. The catering and service is first class and the packages are high quality and good value for money. The leaders know what us fans want and need............... Does that fit in ok with the acceptable unquestioning regime rhetoric some desire? ;-)
I know it is not only our club, but with the international weeks and a midweek game, I imagine BP has not had the whole squad available to try new things, Bulot has probably only had a couple of training sessions with the team. It is alright, I am grasping at any little reasons I can think of, and presume it will get better.
It has all been said on here. Listening to the match was very frustrating although listening is a lot different to actually being there. That's why it's nice to get the views of those actually there. In this case, though, it seems most of the views are backing up what it sounded like on the commentary. We seemed to be strolling it after Gud's goal and we went in at half time well on top. So, what happened at half time? Were we complacent or over confident? Was that Bob who put over those vibes? Maybe he's learning that you can't take anything for granted in the English championship. Who knows, but whatever it was we sounded atrocious in the second hall. We didn't seem able to keep possession and if you keep giving possession away time and again something will give and it did. So, although an away point is good and we're still unbeaten I just can't fathom why there was such a difference between the first half and second half. A tad worrying that.
The commentary sounded like Moussa was the MOM in the first half but hearing from those who were there which contradicts this just shows how being at the game will throw up a lot truer picture. I can understand now why he was subbed. It also sounded like Calum was rubbish when he came on.
I, also, wouldn't put too much credence on Bob saying we're not getting anyone else in. I don't believe that for one second but after what happened in the transfer window I think he's playing it very cagey and keeping things close to his chest. I would say we desperately need support for Igor up front.
I would be interested to hear from those who watch us week in week out where else they think we need strengthening?
Just in from the game. Another case of not taking the chance to go 2 or 3 up and kill off the game. Johann's goal pure class, but don't think he was fully fit. JC had a really good first half breaking up the play and getting into good positions. Yoni was absolute mustard, always assured on the ball and linking play well. A few wishes though: 1) that Henderson learns how to kick with confidence 2) that they stop pussyfooting in defence and playing under-hit passes that put midfield under too much pressure. 3) that we get some quality back-up. (Thought Bulot was lightweight and Harriott really out of his depth. I reckon George should have gone on earlier to give Igor some help as he was isolated all afternoon). On the plus side, it's another away point gained and Rotherham were a decent side 2nd half and we managed to hold out.
We've had a good start to the season. i would suggest better than most of us expected. But the cracks are showing. We've 'got away with it' on a number of occasions. Notably last week V Wolves, possibly again today, i wasn't there. I'm afraid it's all about to crash down around us next week. Boro will do us at home, then Norwich will do the same on the Tuesday. There is a glaring omission in our team. A big front man who can hold the ball up. If Bob and more importantly Roly address that before Saturday, we may have a chance. If not i can only see defeats in the next two games. Nevertheless, a comfortable mid-table finish this season wouldn't be bad. Even if i had started to dream of better than that.
We keep saying how good we were in the first half and so poor in the second, could it be that Rotherham were poor in the first half and stepped up their game in the second, we are not world beaters YET
We keep saying how good we were in the first half and so poor in the second, could it be that Rotherham were poor in the first half and stepped up their game in the second, we are not world beaters YET
We keep saying how good we were in the first half and so poor in the second, could it be that Rotherham were poor in the first half and stepped up their game in the second, we are not world beaters YET
You couldn't be more wrong about the first half.
In what respect, as I did not see the game just following texts
Comments
Only got going when we scored and we're the better side for the rest of the half.
Would have taken a point before hand but frustrating to give it away like that
But not too disappointed we keep picking up points rather than losing!
We started the game poorly and sloppily and got caught in possession in dangerous areas three times in the first five minutes. That seemed to set the tone and Evans and his coaches had clearly done their homework in terms of pressing the Bikey/Ben Haim/Buyens triumvirate.
Rotherham had much the better of the first half hour but Gudmundsson - who had an excellent first half (a class above) - scored a really good goal, jinking past a couple of players and curling a nice shot into the corner. Jacko also played very well, holding the team together, and we finished the half strongly.
The second half was completely dominated by Rotherham and, whilst they lacked some imagination in the final third, no team can concede that much possession and hope to survive. They totally overran us in midfield - I was very impressed with number 11, Paul Green - and whilst the goal came from some ridiculous play from Ben Haim, it would have been a travesty of justice if we had taken the three points. We were, for the most part, unable to string more than a couple of passes together and they found acres of space, as our players seemed unable to get across the ground.
Too many of our lads had an off day, although I was pleased to see Wiggins pick up well after a very poor first half. An element of complacency/lack of concentration from our central defenders, Buyens was below par and Moussa was ineffective. We really do need some support for Igor. A decent cameo by Bulot and Solly had a sound game.
We do need a plan B, as teams are now sussing out how to counter us. All that said, it's another point on the board and another game unbeaten.
A point away is always a good point and, make no mistake, this was very much a point gained.
Had a feeling we would struggle second half when I read how well we did the first, sums up a few of our games.
Good news is most of the teams around us drew today as well so we're not exactly out of the mix. Can't see us getting good results against Boro and Norwich though.
Tough game away to a team who are on a role after promotion and Evans must be a managerial genius, so a point is a good result. We are still deservedly undefeated and can only get better. We are never negative or defensive, we are just a counter attacking side who prefer to concede possession and not because we keep giving it away easily. We played last Tuesday so must be tired. Our pitch has had lots of money spent and is lovely. The catering and service is first class and the packages are high quality and good value for money. The leaders know what us fans want and need............... Does that fit in ok with the acceptable unquestioning regime rhetoric some desire? ;-)
The commentary sounded like Moussa was the MOM in the first half but hearing from those who were there which contradicts this just shows how being at the game will throw up a lot truer picture. I can understand now why he was subbed. It also sounded like Calum was rubbish when he came on.
I, also, wouldn't put too much credence on Bob saying we're not getting anyone else in. I don't believe that for one second but after what happened in the transfer window I think he's playing it very cagey and keeping things close to his chest. I would say we desperately need support for Igor up front.
I would be interested to hear from those who watch us week in week out where else they think we need strengthening?
Another case of not taking the chance to go 2 or 3 up and kill off the game.
Johann's goal pure class, but don't think he was fully fit. JC had a really good first half breaking up the play and getting into good positions. Yoni was absolute mustard, always assured on the ball and linking play well.
A few wishes though:
1) that Henderson learns how to kick with confidence
2) that they stop pussyfooting in defence and playing under-hit passes that put midfield under too much pressure.
3) that we get some quality back-up. (Thought Bulot was lightweight and Harriott really out of his depth. I reckon George should have gone on earlier to give Igor some help as he was isolated all afternoon).
On the plus side, it's another away point gained and Rotherham were a decent side 2nd half and we managed to hold out.
But the cracks are showing. We've 'got away with it' on a number of occasions. Notably last week V Wolves, possibly again today, i wasn't there.
I'm afraid it's all about to crash down around us next week. Boro will do us at home, then Norwich will do the same on the Tuesday.
There is a glaring omission in our team. A big front man who can hold the ball up. If Bob and more importantly Roly address that before Saturday, we may have a chance. If not i can only see defeats in the next two games.
Nevertheless, a comfortable mid-table finish this season wouldn't be bad. Even if i had started to dream of better than that.