Cuenca 'ammer wrote: When we last played in the Fizzy Pop we struggled against teams who came and parked the bus. Other teams will take heart from City's performance last night and do the same. Be prepared for a long season unless we find a way to unlock defences. Either go wide (which we seemed to be doing early doors) or get behind them. Now if the opponent plays very deep we need to get to the by line and get crosses in from there. Tough when you play a right footed left winger who really isn't a winger. Although it was only the radio, it seemed very reminiscent of Bentley playing wide left, Sears had to cut back to his right which usually gives the defender an edge.
We have had no midfield creativity since Yossi left. As for waiting for us to have a 3-4 goals margin before Hall comes on, he might as well not bother showing up. Won't be too many 3 and 4 nil drubbings this side of Christmas I reckon. And I know I am harping on it but playing Nolan in a 4 man midfield is a recipe for disaster.
Subbing Diop was a certainty as BFS said a week or so back when we gave up another late goal "I won't being doing that again any time soon." (I paraphrased). He's not going to throw away 3 points when he has 1 and might nick 3. Get used to it.
When Diop came on it released Noble to be more forward minded. Ironically, Diop's first half a dozen touches were all forward (completed) passes. I thought Nolan did ok too. Kept things simple. Had one great chance but fluffed his lines (along with everyone else.) Baldock wasn't a threat in the 2nd half - Piq played deeper than Carew would and with Bristol City being so deep he had very little space to work in.
The lack of a 2nd wide midfield player with a left foot is a problem. As is the lack of genuine pace. It means everyone else has to work harder. No real guile anywhere in the team. However, 20+ crosses and 10 shots on target should have resulted with a goal or two.
One of them nights.
Also, i understand that Carew had a knock on his knee (but is hopeful for Saturday.)
Yossi? sigh... now there is a player...