Not too different to the League Cup game so far... Birmingham once again are struggling to deal with our press, which in itself went missing for three matches... and on that occasion it was a worldie that was the difference.
Really good first half. Kanu looks devoid of confidence but his pressing has been excellent. Really like the shape of the midfield and the fact we’re actually using it in possession. Brum don’t look too special
Credit to Jones for changing the system and getting us playing more football against the one team I didn’t think we’d try to.
Other clubs won’t play the same way but this is more like it. More energy and aggression, much more passing and movement, and not being too direct or too possession based.
I’d like to see Leaburn for Godden so we have two strikers with pace and strength. Godden can’t press in the same way.
It’s tough isn’t it - you feel if a chance falls to him he is most likely to take it and this looks like a game that could well be settled by the odd goal, but he’s the only one of the 11 out there who hasn’t been involved much.
Definitely been the better team in the first half. Thought it was a bit risky going 442 but so far, so good. 100% better than the midweek debacle. Should be winning at least 1-0. A Campbell having a good game and unlucky not to score with the long distance attempt. Gotta keep it going but I don’t expect Birmingham will be that bad in the second half. All to play for
This feels like a loss coming with all these missed ops.
Not sure they were clear cut ops. First one Kanu was on the line and couldn't expect him to score from there, did all he could, the second I thought the keeper recovered very quickly. But yes our play probably says we should be 1-0 up
Well, after the last couple of matches that was actually quite enjoyable and vaguely encouraging.
Our final-third balls are still on the abject side of woeful but we've looked more solid at the back today, helped by a midfield doing its defensive duty.
We've created chances, mostly by pressing the oppo and forcing a turnover rather than any skilful build-up play by us, but we've not taken any yet ... and I don't recall their keeper actually having to make a save.
More of the same in the second half, please, but with added ruthlessness in front of goal. At the moment a good performance as at risk of a kick in the plums by a counter-attacking Brum goal against the run of play. (And as we all know if there's any bollocks to be kicked at this ground it shoukd be Bielik's 😉)
Well, much improved on the last 3 games, and, well, the season so far tbh. Should be 1-0.
We're finally seeing that "creating chances by pressing" that jones seems to want from us, the change to the box midfield is making it happen with Campbell (getting better) and Anderson (still meh) harrying from the front.
We've limited May Brum to a couple of corners and not much else.
Keep it up throughout the second half and lets not regret that missed chance....
This feels like a loss coming with all these missed ops.
Not sure they were clear cut ops. First one Kanu was on the line and couldn't expect him to score from there, did all he could, the second I thought the keeper recovered very quickly. But yes our play probably says we should be 1-0 up
First one was bad, because he just had to play a simple pass to Anderson
Commentators claiming that was a shot. If it was, he shouldn't be a striker.
Seemed to clearly just be a terrible pass.
Caught in two minds maybe. Instinct was to shoot then maybe saw Anderson out of the corner if his eye.
It happens. It’s the way things have been going for us and Kanu’s been good aside from that. Extremely frustrating though.
Loads of encouragement for us in this half though. There was a 5 or 10 minute spell where we’re just chasing the ball but since then we’ve been clearly the better side.
It’s a strikers instinct to put it between the posts, feck everyone else
Not too different to the League Cup game so far... Birmingham once again are struggling to deal with our press, which in itself went missing for three matches... and on that occasion it was a worldie that was the difference.
We press really well, no idea why it went out the window for a few games
This feels like a loss coming with all these missed ops.
Not sure they were clear cut ops. First one Kanu was on the line and couldn't expect him to score from there, did all he could, the second I thought the keeper recovered very quickly. But yes our play probably says we should be 1-0 up
The first one was given the easy square ball to Anderson, the second one was awkward.
Comments
Kanu!!
Credit to Jones for changing the system and getting us playing more football against the one team I didn’t think we’d try to.
Other clubs won’t play the same way but this is more like it. More energy and aggression, much more passing and movement, and not being too direct or too possession based.
The problem is, I don't think we have the quality or creativity to open up the weaker sides. A shame really.
Our final-third balls are still on the abject side of woeful but we've looked more solid at the back today, helped by a midfield doing its defensive duty.
We've created chances, mostly by pressing the oppo and forcing a turnover rather than any skilful build-up play by us, but we've not taken any yet ... and I don't recall their keeper actually having to make a save.
More of the same in the second half, please, but with added ruthlessness in front of goal. At the moment a good performance as at risk of a kick in the plums by a counter-attacking Brum goal against the run of play. (And as we all know if there's any bollocks to be kicked at this ground it shoukd be Bielik's 😉)
We're finally seeing that "creating chances by pressing" that jones seems to want from us, the change to the box midfield is making it happen with Campbell (getting better) and Anderson (still meh) harrying from the front.
We've limited May Brum to a couple of corners and not much else.
Keep it up throughout the second half and lets not regret that missed chance....
Positives for sure.
Kanu 8 out of 10 for his movement and pressing
Kanu 4 out of 10 for his finishing sadly