Slagging the club for selling Wyke and insisting we go for that fella who cut his loan short or we were doomed.
Yep, looking that way mate. Me and the Mrs (Nor) and my youngest lad coming up. Eldest on stag do otherwise he would have been coming up as well. Chuffed we were so professional last night. There's a good few more goals in that team than were put away as well. Happy Days, Long may they continue.
Dajaku made an important point with his goal imo. Despite having a runner on the far side, and a lot of work to do, he had no intention of checking back, passing the ball or being 'clever' ... ... sometimes Stewart is too unselfish and O'Brien lacks the confidence to hit the ball cleanly. It was good to see AOB's confidence grow as the crowd warmed to him, one volleyed crossfield ball was top class. Stewart's game will improve with coaching and he'll become more like Quinn who's first thought was always 'back of the net'
Stewart is still a far better footballer than Wyke. Never stops working. Wyke, IMO, as good as he did for us last season, when things weren’t working in the first 20 minutes he was a passenger for the last 70. Even when he got goals he didn’t chase and harry like Stewart does. This is by far the best squad we’ve had down here. And I honestly think our best 11 would be ok in the championship
Agreed and it's the positive energy he adds to the squad too. Wyke always played like we had his family hostage and I'd guess that's how he felt, never looked happy. It was his own fault though if he'd put the effort in that Stewart does then with all his goals he'd have been a big fan favourite. As it was he looked a tad sulky, didn't try hard enough and as a result we never properly warmed to him. Get rid of characters like that, get ones like Stewart in and suddenly there's so much more energy and unity in the squad.
I totally agree with that. Stewart gets goals because of his work rate, not because everything is laid on a plate. And he'll keep improving imo, Wyke is as good as he'll ever be. O'Brien keeps forcing his way back into the team and he gave Stewart the room to play last night ... .... if O'Brien got half the backing Wyke did I think he could be an important squad player for us.
I would say Philips was the player whose first thought was "back of the net" SNQ also provided the bullets for his partners ( Philips, Keane etc), I dont think Stewart has had a partner that suits him as yet, other than the brief spell he had with Broadhead, but options are their aplenty with this squad, so time and fate will decide whats best as it always does.
I like AoB purely for his workrate, if he could add consistent goalscoring to his game we'd have some player. He does get criticised when he misses chances like last night and that's fair enough but we have to look at the bigger picture with him imo. Whether or not he's ideal up front with the Ross Ness Monster we'll have to wait and see.
I thought he was excellent on and off the ball first half last night but not as good on the ball second half. Off the ball his work rate is second to none
Pritchard is fine btw, got a bit of whiplash in his neck from being grabbed and will need a few massages but nowt to worry about.
As Smug said, he's a good player to have in the squad mate, particularly when we need to dig deep. The first eleven won't win us this league, it's the depth and quality of the squad.