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Wolves Preview in Association with EZE Group
Gary Rowett’s first match in charge of Birmingham City couldn’t be a tougher one. Away to local rivals Wolves who are flying high in the division off the back of a record home defeat. And yet – the Wolves fans I know are worried we are going to turn them over…
Wolves
Wolves come into this game in 4th place on 26 points – fifteen better off than Blues and 22 goals better off in goal difference terms. Wolves haven’t lost since October 1 when they went down 3-1 to Huddersfield at Molineux; they have scored in thirteen of their fifteen games in all competitions this year.
Kenny Jackett will be hoping Malian international Bakary Sako will be able to continue that fine run of form on his return to the side following injury; Leon Clarke is also pushing for a start and fellow forward Liam McAlinden has been recalled from a loan spell at Fleetwood.
Blues
On-loan Michael Morrison goes straight into the squad for this game and could well replace the suspended David Edgar; whether Grant Hall will be given the slot beside him or if Rowett will persist with club skipper Paul Robinson is another story.
Neal Eardley returns from suspension and could be put in at right back; following last week’s horror show I don’t believe anyone’s place is secure and we could well see a real shake up in the squad. One player who will not make it is teenage winger Demarai Gray, who is still recovering from an ankle knock.
All I ask in this game is that we see more effort and desire; Blues needn’t have lost so heavily last week as Bournemouth weren’t that much of a class above – there was a lot to do with heads dropping and players giving up as much as anything. Fitness is definitely a concern and I wonder if Rowett is aware of how much work he has taken on with this side.
Tags: Demarai Gray, Grant Hall, Michael Morrison, Neal Eardley, Paul Robinson, Wolves
151 Responses to “Wolves Preview in Association with EZE Group”
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Fitness is most definitety a real concern due to the somewhat lax attitude of the last training regime,.
Gary has only had a week to try and sort this mess out, no one should expect miracles, however I am hopeful of seeing some organisation in the side especially at the back.
Form goes out of the window in these games and we could get a point.
Totally agree about a point Tony and about the fitness. We have been a good yard slower to the ball in far too many areas of the pitch over the last few games. Fingers crossed this weekend that with a better constructed team formation allied to a kick up the backside and some passion we get a result.
Getting anything from today’s game, or Tuesday’s against Watford for that matter, is a big ask. Starting next week (home to Cardiff) and then a fortnight later (at Rotherham), though, we need to start seeing some signs of progress and a few points on the board.
The current squad is, in all honesty, League One standard. If we’re too far adrift going in to the New Year, you can see the board accepting the inevitable and giving up hope. If we’re in touch, though, they might just fancy a small investment in the team to try to protect the value of the club. Who knows, if Mr Rowett is a skilled manager, two or three astute acquisitions might make all the difference.
All we expect is eleven players putting in 100% on the pitch, last weeks horror show was because the players had no personal pride.
Every player will be up for impressing the new manager so we should at least see a better performance. The fact we can’t score goals will be worrying but a clean sheet should see us earn a point.
KRO+DNM
A few of facts from the BM:
Blues have failed to score in their last two trips to Molineux; they’ve never gone three in a row without a goal there.
The last time Birmingham lost 8-0 in league competition (v Preston, Feb 1958); they lost the next match 5-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
David Cotterill has created more goalscoring chances than any other player in the division (50.) (Just think what he could achieve if he grew a pair.)
Bakary Sako has scored in his last four appearances for Wolves.
Wolves have scored 14 second half goals this season, two more than Birmingham have managed in total.
I said last week that Bournemouth weren’t that great…. but then you don’t have to be when 7 of the goals were gifts. I’ve maintained all season that we’re not that far away from being a decent side. Let’s see if the new manager can give then that final nudge they need.
Still, the most important decision for me, is if he has the danglies to drop Robbo. Every Blues fan knows his time is over… let’s see if Rowett thinks the same.
I’m going for a 2-2 draw without Robbo, but a 3-1 defeat if he plays.
“Every Blues fan knows his time is over” ??? – I don’t remember being asked this….
Today’s team announced.
Randolph
Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds
Gleeson, Shinnie, Davis, Cotterill
Donaldson, Arthur.
Oh gawd!
Doesn’t inspire me, but I suppose he has a limited squad and only a few days to work with them.
Can but hope for a draw but not holding my breath.
GR did sat that everyone has a clean slate, well it wont take Randolph or Robbo long to get theirs dirty.
KRO+DNM
If I was Hall, I’d ask to go back to Spurs. If you can’t get in above Robinson, you’ve got no chance. I can only see a heavy defeat with that team. Tombola Rowett or what? LOL
Very disappointed starting line up.
I agree that the players have to prove themselves to a new manager but I would have thought he would have set his stall out with players who fight for the badge.
Doyle, Hancox Hall and Reilly should have started for me.
KRO+DNM
Well,how wrong can you all be? I would have left Robbo and Randolph out as well. Maybe it’s the manager.
A very good result, the team stood up this week and credit where credits due, Randolph did what he was so good at last season, shot stopping.
I still don’t think he is a good keeper, he rarely takes control of his area, but today he did his job.
The shape looked better and the formation was flexible, players put themselves about and there was a different urgency that has been missing, and we kept eleven players on the pitch, that is always a good thing.
KRO+DNM
Yep OH GAWD. Randolph and Robinson, and the midfield too lightweight oh dear
For me, Rowett’s first task was to drop Robinson. He bottled it!
A draw against a good team speaks volumes about the impact GR has already made on the team.
Same players -different manager and tactics.
V.Good start to his regime.
Well said Art.
trying listening to GR IF YOU CAN MAKE THE MATCH, we rode our luck??
Good job he didn’t listen to you then Staffs.
Not changed my opinion at all.
but you were wrong.
Still not changed my opinion.
Mine neither.You were wrong.
One game isn’t going to change my mind. But, whatever you say.
The sign of a decent man staffs is to admit when you’re wrong.
not to say he won’t have a stinker on tuesday though.
Must admit I share Staffs opinion on Randolph and Robbo I think they are both liabilities, but by all accounts that both did well today. Maybe Morrison taking commant lifted the pressure of Robbo and with a well organized back four Randolph played well too.
You may be right Tony.there was a lot of talking from morrison today.
Rowett’s first task is to get results and that’s it. He bottled nothing, he got a result.
Other than Davis, there’s no bottle in that midfield whatsoever! Wolves midfield are light years ahead of ours. I just hope it’s not another car crash!
Well, i guess he must see something in them!! Gleeson,Robbo and Grounds shouldnt be starting for me!!! Personally i’d have thrown Hancox and Reilly into the mix for some Bluenose passion,could be another soul destroyer.
That’s why we.re not managers.He said everybody starts the same.
I applauded Reilly towards the end, when the Wolves player was racing through unchallenged. Across came Reilly and stopped him in his tracks. Very important block. Not sure what’s going on with Hancox tbh. Certainly not flavour of the month.
Tbh Staffs,i think most have been pleasantly surprised today.We looked like a team. Well done Gary and the team.
We did ok yes. We rode our luck at times, but it was a good defensive performance. There was still no quality on show going forward… but I said earlier in the week, a couple of 0-0s would improve confidence and provide something to build on.
Like I said steve, whatever you say. Pointless argument after one game.
I,m just saying you got it completely wrong.One game doesn’t make a season,but against the top of the table after an 8-0 hiding,it was an encouraging start.
I give credit where it’s due. As I said, it was a good defensive performance by the whole team. We just need to improve the quality going forward.
Shame you didn’t give him credit before the game.
Oh dear. If it bothers you that much… Sorry Mr Rowett sir, I was wrong. Happy?
Don’t get touchy Staffs
Beg your pardon? Not touchy in the slightest… It would take a lot more than that lol. You’re the one labouring the point, not me. I just thought it might make you happy. Oh well, can’t win em all. Have a nice day.
Glad to hear it.
13 shots and only 3 on goal, says a lot about our attackers.
The main thing today was not to concede ans we did that with some help from above.
Following the debacle last week this was a good result and if we continue to improve then we will be ok.
Tuesday is going to be the big test when they walk out to face Watford.
Couldn’t really be a tougher baptism for GR.
KRO+DNM
I think today was just as tough Chris.
A very good result players looked organised and vomited today. Robo and Rabdolf both played really well today. Now we need a repeat performance at home and perhaps a few more bums on seats.
Well done let’s hope it’s the start of better days
Vomited?
I,m puzzled by that as well
Should of been committed not vomited
Another home defeat looming for Clarkey.
Pre-match quote from LC-“I can keep Blackpool up”
2-0 to Ipswich!
Nothing changes then -Mark.
He will get even less support from the owners there than he did from BIHL. Makes you wonder, If he as highly rated in the game as certain posters have mentioned on here regularly, why he would want to go there. Might be something to do with another juicy, rolling one year contract.
Of course it is hes making hay while the sunshines, he will be found out for what he is soon. the new guy organized our defence brilliantly. After last week you can see a difference, Its early days but there is hope, something we have not had for the last two years.Normal service resumed for Clark another defeat at home for him, ten brown ale bottles standing on the wall .(hick)
And the stag and hen weekends he can gatecrash.
Great result, I’m not too worried about the lack of goals, that will come, but we desperately needed a response, result and a clean sheet – and Rowett delivered all 3 today. Blackpool already 1-0 down at home to Ipswich, doesn’t that sound familiar?
Better game today good point closed them down did not see any think of the protest did it take place ?.
Played well today. In his interview its obvious he thinks the players aren’t fit enough. He sounded intelligent, and knowlegable all the things Clark isn’t. KRO
That’s what i picked up as well Matt. Reports are some players have struggled in training this week. From what he said,some are going to have a hard week next week. he’s a very confident man,and he gives you confidence as well.
I was very impressed with Gary Rowetts post match interview. He was positive, combative and exudes confidence.
I recant all my previous comments about preferring Mike Phelan!
Every interview and press release from him so far has been that of someone who seems very self assured and confident in his ability to take us foreward irrespective of our situation. Good luck to him and a great start today.
Great result today. I saw a good battling performance today. The only question is…..Where are the goals gonna come from to keep us up ?KRO. DNM.
Can anybody comment on how Morrison played / contributed to the first clean sheet in 13 games?
Confident and vocal.
gary can only work with the players he has at his disposal so not sure where the goals will come from but its very heartening to keep a clean sheet and brian clough always built from the back !!
We have to stop just lumping it up to him. He isn’t a target man imo. Down the wings and in the box. He knows where the net is,we just have to give him better service.
I’m thinking we all have to show a bit of patience here. GR will bring his own ideas and maybe he might be able to bring out the best in the likes of Donaldson/Shinnie/Gleeson. That’s what good managers do. He just could be a better cool with the same ingredients. Now where did I hear that before?
What does DNM mean?
Regards
Delay No More. Telling BIHL to sell up and move on.
Does anyone know if Zigic has found a club yet? Love him or hate him he would be worth a punt, now it looks like we have a decent manager who on todays performance can organise the team and with Cotterill putting quality balls in i think he could put a few in the net for us, it would just.mean coming to an agreement about his salary. I think we looked better today organised & more balanced but unfortunately must agree with Staffsblue it is a little too early to get excited,but hopefully we do progress well under Gary Rowett.KRO.
Who is getting excited ? I think most were expecting a defeat today.After last week and many calling for robbo’s head(including me) we defended well and looked like a team.The manager has a confidence about him that Clark lacked and we’re just hopeful that this is the start of an improvement. There are some difficult games coming up,today just gave a bit more hope.That’s all.
Also,ALL the pre match doom and the gloomers had it shoved back down their throats. Whatever happens this season,i,m just glad Clark has gone.We have a better chance of survival now.
As I said earlier, it was a good solid defensive performance, no doubt about it. Morrison made a huge difference. Well done to him, especially only having been here 24 hours. Athough Wolves could have scored 2 or 3, we had a couple of chances ourselves to steal the points from them. But there were the usual failings up front. As hard as they try, our two current strikers can’t play up front on their own, so that needs to be addressed, because although clean sheets are important, 0-0s won’t move us up the table. Although we looked fairly solid throughout, we benefitted from having Reilly and Thomas come on for tired legs. I thought they gave us a bit of a boost when we needed it.
Looking forward to Tuesday now. Onwards and, hopefully, upwards.
I think another dip in the loan market for an experienced striker will do both Donaldson and Thomas some good. They are both lacking some confidence and the longer a striker goes worth out scoring the harder it becomes.
Very good result against a well oiled Wolves machine and credit to both Robbo and Randolph for a response after last weeks grilling, still don’t think they should be guaranteed a starting place.
We had a little bit of luck, which has also alluded us this season, but if we perform like that every game there won’t be many complaints.
KRO+DNM
1- there is a £5000 a week salary cap
2- Zigic is crap
3-Rowett would not tolerate his idle attitude
4- Zigic is crap
How nice is it to hear our manager talk with a fair and intelligent analysis of our performance ?
I’ve missed that.
Maybe the idle attitude will go under a new manager. Sorry,but he’s not crap.
No need to be sorry, it’s your opinion .
But he is crap
Not very good then, if he was he would have a club by now.
He was an idle player and I wouldn’t want to see him back, we had some memories from him to savour and I suppose he has gone down as a legend in some fans eyes but ne goal every 4 games does not warrant legend status in my book.
Thanks for the memories but no thanks on a return.
KRO+DNM
1) Is Donaldson on £5000 ?
2) did zigic score important goals for us?
3) do you think Donaldson will score more than Zigic did last season?
4) in your opinion zigic was crap in my opinion he scores goals & is worth a punt.
if Zigic isn’t at a club how do you know what his wage demand would be? They paid Donaldson more than 5k per week so with better quality balls coming into the box why ain’t he scoring ?
The fact that he is at no other club answers all of your questions.
Oh and Zigic is crap!
Oh it took me a while Royalblue he’s not good enough to get into our quality side, helped us beat the Vile by scoring & scored against Arsenal at Wembley & i suppose he helped keep us up last season by scoring 1 & setting up 1 against Bolton!!! Give me a Crap player like him anytime.
He also makes Goals for others, he drags Defenders out of position for others, he was used completely wrong by Clark , he isn’t crap, you are being very childish. Just mu opinion, like.
I spent too much time watching him do nothing.
No other club would touch him with a barge pole
Let it go, some of us have moved on
What’s that saying, “cometh the hour, cometh the man”. I think we have our man.
after a 8-0 hammering i would have expected a least a response from the players, and they did that today…..lets not forget wolves could and should have won by a canter…..
the acid test will come on tuesday against watford who have just hammered millwall 3-1……
followed by cardiff, nottingham at home……..sandwiched between a away match….
Is not an acid test Mark these matches should on form see us beaten, but there is a feeling of hope in the air, a manager who is confident and enthusiastic, as opposed to a mumbling, incoherent wreck of a man.
Fitness has been below par for a long time, some of us have been highlighting this there are reasons, Gary Rowett has recogized this and will eliminate the cause
There is no wagic wand but I at least feel far more enthusiastic than I have done for a couple of years we should be gratefull we have the man.
keep taking the strong coffee matey…
I didn’t know Caddis could play Right Back
he can play cm i bet you did know that!
watching watford on the football league show they looked very impressive
Did you watch the Blackpool game as well Mark.?
Àctually watched all the league show mate, if you didnot realize by now GR is our manager now……
interesting no one mentioned 541…..
Probably because we played a very fluid 4-2-3-1, allowed players to push forward or drop back as required, it produced a few scary moments but lady luck was shining today.
Once the players are up to fitness and have worked the system a few games it will become second nature, watch some of Burton’s games to see GR’s philosophy at work, might not be exciting but it is certainly effective.
KRO+DNM
A lot of Posters said that the Players seemed to actually have a Game Plan tho, something that wasn’t said very often over the last few months.
No disrespect Chas if you were at the game the game plan was simply really stop the opposition scoring…even putting that amount a players behind the ball….limits your chances…….
But as I said , there WAS a game plan and it worked.
Just got up after a very satisfiying performance from super Gary’s team yesterday, defended magnificently and Morrison was a rock in a well organised defensive unit that was non egsistent against Bournemouth…..mr rowett should be proud of what he’s done in such a short space of time and though we didn’t score we still gave the dingles a scare or two but two things I must say……during the muinites silence and horn playing the dingles were disgracefull and blues fans were going spare at there reaction and also congratulations to Blackpool and mr Clark on another home defeat for there new manager, get use to it you tangerines because your going down where we in the space of a week now have renewed hope from a more organised and more substitution minded manager in Gary rowett , I know it’s only one game but can’t wait for the leaders Watford to turn up Tuesday night and hopefully turn them over and then suddenly that 8-0defeat is just a one off result from a bad management team that’s now departed.. Bring it on!!! Kro.
Dave if he plays 541 on Tuesday what hopefully be another point maybe.
I wonder if he realized his 442 is unplayable, and will now set up defensive minded…..
I think we will see a different team against Watford Dave. Unfortunately GR doesn’t have a lot of time to assess the players in between games but as he said he has been pouring over video’s and performances.
It was refreshing to see substitutions that made sense and not for the sake of it.
I expect a better performance against Watford and am optimistic that we can get a result, but only in the way of a draw. That was our first away clean since February at Charlton and only the second one this season following Brighton at home in all league matches.
KRO+DNM
It appears in the express and star has it was blues fans who were disrepectful during the silence, either way mindless idiots in disrespecting our war dead……imo
Having serious doubts about you Mark, I think you could be vile
and you could be a dick
The enigma that is Donaldson. He is 30 years old and has never until this season played in the 2nd tier of English football. Is it a lack of confidence? Or is it a lack of skill? Will he ever be a goal scorer at this level? I sincerely hope he is the answer to our lack of goals, but time is running out!
Vardy went from non-league to the Premiership scoring goals, just can’t see a goal in Donaldson unfortunately, the same with Thomas but he does offer something different.
What annoys me with Donaldson, he demanded higher wages which the club bowed to yet he has failed to deliver. Looking forward to seeing Matt Green back in action, maybe he will be our saviour.
KRO+DNM
Thinking back, how many 20 goals per season strikers have we had the Blues? According to Wiki, since Steve Claridge 20 years ago, we’ve not had a single striker score 20 goals. Forssell got close, as did Furlong and Devlin before him. Marlon King is the closest (18) in the last 10 years. It’s not a great record is it?
Step forward Mr Matt Green.
Over those years we have had decent or half decent defences, but I see your point we haven’t had any consistent goal scorers, so I can imagine that GR will be looking to address that asap.
He seems to have an idea on what he wants already.
KRO+DNM
totally agree staffs that’s one thing that’s stands out for me over the last 20 years down the blues……i played very little football growing up, followed my father into rugby which i played at a good level.
When i did play, football one position i absolutely loved was striker…………………..
That explains your addled brain.
Too much time in the scrum Mark
being a ametuer humorist you love a good laugh dont Steve
To be fair to Donaldson, his chance when it came was not an easy one, the centre-back did a good job of closing him down and forcing him to rush his shot. Let’s see what GR can do to massage his confidence, I wouldn’t write him off yet.
Not writing the guy off, just saying a spell out of the first XI and a few development games might help him get his form back. I’ve seen enough of him over the years to know he’s a decent goalscorer.. just not with us so far.
Richard, there centre half bullied Donaldson and he ardly got a sniff except when he got put through and put it past the post instead of hitting the target….he was dissapointing and was glad that Gary changed him with Thomas where as lee Clark would have brought on lee Novak so that’s a good sign to start with but proud of there bloody mindness not to let the dingles score so proud of the boys there so lets move on and get a result against top of the table Watford.kro.
Donaldson is a worry. I can’t understand why he can’t score goals (2 in 14 games.) The nets are the same size, the balls are the same size. It’s not as though they’re half chances he’s missing. Surely at some point Rowett’s got to give Thomas a decent run? I’m hoping Matt Green comes back fit and strong and ready score goals.
at brentford he may have gone long periods without scoring….imo he dealing with a lots better defenders in championship… some of ex- premiership…. if by the end of the season he can finish on about 12- 15 goals, it will be deemed not bad for his first dip at this level…..
to add further to that staffs lets hope kevin summerfield can add his expert advice to clayton that’s what he paid for??
If Donaldson gets 12-15 goals this season, it will be pretty decent for a Blues striker. I don’t think anyone could moan about that.
The thing is staffs where we were sitting we thought Donaldson had scored but seeing it on tv later it was a terrible attempt and should have at least made there goalie work….ime not sure of him anymore so let Gary try and bring a gem of a scorer in from somewhere because is first signing Morrison was man of the match for me no danger with cotter ill a close second. Kro
This is my point dave. We can all accept half chances being spurned, but he’s missing chances he should be burying. With the clear cut chances he’s had this season, he should be in double figures by now. I don’t know what the answer is with him, except more shooting practice. :-/
GR admitted that Donaldson did not get any support from midfield and was isolated so difficult to be too critical of him yesterday. This is something which will be better judged when the manager has had a few more weeks to work on his tactics and get everyone to buy into his game philosophy. The emphasis yesterday was to arrest sloppy defending, be difficult to break down work as a team and with a bit of fortune get a nil nil. Mission accomplished for me. So refreshing to listen to this manager explaining his thoughts after the game on Sky so enthusiastically in contrast to LC who stared at his boots and waffled about nothing. We may only be blessed with a below average championship team but I am encouraged GR will put a team out on the pitch who are playing for the BCFC shirt
Where was Novak yesterday?
Injured
Well away from the starting line up thankfully.
I must admit the formation and one or two of the starting line up did supprise me but Gary got them all in position and they all seem to know what there job was which was a welcome difference to previous team selections and that’s all down to the manager and is training methods….again very nice to see, roll on Watford.kro
Buggered if I know what the formation was tbh. When the team was announced by the official site, it said 4-2-3-1. Rowett said it was 4-1-2-3, but reading around, the consensus was that it looked more like 4-1-4-1.
That is how GR sets his team out, he likes fluency so that players can drop back when we don’t have the ball and push up with it.
I think it was you who mention an article in the 4-4-2 magazine, and if you check out some Burton plays on YouTube you can see it in action..
KRO+DNM
Just a thought, I wonder if LC will try and sign Novak in January? Who else would he want otake with him?
Hopefully the two R’s, Robbo and Randolph.
Wouldn’t mind betting he looks at our academy for some loans though.
KRO+DNM
There worse off than us for Christ sake, they can have Novak and Robinson for nothing but Randolph made a Worldy yesterday and had one of his better games….if Morrison is a bench mark for Gary’s signings then let him get on with it because that was a master stroke.kro.
I can see Novak moving up there… and Eardley might fancy going back home too.
Randolph and Robo played very well yesterday and we will need them if we are to stay up
After last weeks debacle I would have expected nothing less, that includes the rest of the team from last week, unfortunately one game does not put things right and both Robbo and Randolph can be and have been liabilities.
Maybe having a decent Goalkeeping coach who has played at the highest level may help Randolph but Robbo for me has had his day.
KRO+DNM
Tuesday night Watford at home ten pounds and kids for a quid. Come on you blues stay aways the team needs us now be the twelfth man get behind the team sing sing and sing
Keep Right On
Fair point staffs but its Edgar and Morrison for me Tuesday with robbo on the bench. My team Tuesday is. Randolph,caddis,grounds,Edgar,Morrison,cotterill,gray(if fit) Davis,rilley,Thomas,novak(if fit) or something resembling that on what I saw yesterday and those to bring back in. Kro
I think Edgar might have to sit this one out too… unless he’s pushed into midfield. We have to keep our wits about us against Watford. They play the ball around a lot just in front of the opposition defence, looking to slip that ball between defenders. So, our midfield are going to have to be disciplined and track runners etc. If we keep it all nice and tight, we can frustrate them.
One of the reasons to not include Robbo, if turned he is too slow and I feel he will get frustrated and dive in, something Watford will be aware of and play on.
Otherwise I can’t see too many changes being made other than on the bench.
Again we need consistency, especially at the back and if Randolph can produce that form he can stay in for me, but he has to be more commanding when coming for crosses.
KRO+DNM
I noticed on 3 or 4 occasions, that he would come for a cross, then stop and try to retreat. If he’s gonna come, he has to be committed about it. Dithering will only unsettle the back four.
GR thinks Randolph kicking OK……i sure if Randolph does drop his standards Doyle will be straight in methinks
It’s his whole game, hesitates on crosses and has a lousy punch, his wall building has more holes than a colander, not to mention his positioning and he keeps giving it the boot up field instead of looking at easier options to build from the back. The latter may be down to players not wanting the ball, but this can be worked on. Goalkeepers usually have a physical presence, and DR is a big bloke, he should use it to command his box, give orders and shout at his defenders, instead he moans and finger points when half the time he is at fault.
I would like to see Townsend given a chance but I certainly think thatt after a striker GR should look at another keeper, however, hopefully Kevin Poole can work on Randolph’s weaknesses.
KRO+DNM
Yes mark, his actual words were “One of his massive strengths is kicking and it gives you that little bit of relief away from home, just sticking his foot through the ball and that carries you 80 yards up the pitch.” That’s ok if you have a 7′ lampost up there, but he left at the end of last season. Donaldson and Thomas have no chance against central defenders facing the ball. It’s one of the reasons the ball just keeps pinging back at us.
I agree with you BLuesBLues but your falling on deaf ears ime afraid…..our fans yesterday embarrassed the dingles in the supporting stakes, even the dingles fans in the upper tear were throwing there arms in the air trying to get the fans to do something but were up against a vibrant high tempo blues support, no contest really!!! Kro
I just wish we had the same noise at home as away, always seems a totally different crowd and atmosphere at St Ans.
Just maybe now we have a manager that comes over positive, seems to know what he is doing, this will be passed over to the crowd.
Towards the end of the Bournemouth game the fans came alive despite raining goals. Let’s hope the away crowd turn up on Tuesday and give us some atmosphere and we can make St ans a cauldron again.
KRO+DNM
Randolph,caddis robbo,grounds,Edgar,Morrison,cotterill, Davis,arthur,Thomas,donaldson i would go with Tuesday against watford
I’d go, Randolph; Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds; Edgar, Davis, Reilly; Cotterill, Gray/Arthur, Thomas. (4-3-2-1)
a few players that we might need to keep a eye on Tuesday , daniel ayala,matej Vydra, and of course Troy deeney……
If Donaldson plays up front on his own, he’ll suffocate in Ayala’s pocket. Deeney and Vydra’s runs have to be tracked at all times. We can’t afford to let them slip through us, because they rarely miss in front of goal.
Survival this year is all about toughing games out -may be at the expense of pretty football.
Clark was incapable of doing this but GR got it right first time.
when GR possibly gone in 12 months i will McLeish a call ;)
*give