I'm going to be Mr Negative.

[Insider]

I couldn't go today but I did watch on TTV which doesn't always give the truest reflection of the game.
I didn't think we were that good.
Grimmy, Eky and Keogh all did their job.
I'd hope we don't start the season with Connolly and Apter as FBs but when we get Gabriel and Hubby the back four looks reasonably solid.
Mid-field is the problem. I think I would have Connolly ahead of Dougall as the holding mid-fielder. Despite other complimentary voices I was disappointed with Keshi and Sonny. Not sure about the new boy yet but it's still an area where we are short.
The front 3 in the 1st half didn't look they'd score before the January transfer window. Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3. He's strictly a 4-4-2 player. I'll accept that Bowler did OK because everyone else said so despite being at fault for their 2 goals. CJ just wasn't at the races although again I accept he was asked to play deep to help Rob Apter out.
So no idea how we solve the lack of goals unless we can play 4-3-4.
But please please please let Rob Apter play in his correct position.

 

[McG_BFC]

Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3

Nor are Jerry or Shane and I'd hope this season we can finally put that one to bed!

 

[JJpool]

I couldn't go today but I did watch on TTV which doesn't always give the truest reflection of the game.
I didn't think we were that good.
Grimmy, Eky and Keogh all did there job.
I'd hope we don't start the season with Connolly and Apter as FBs but when we get Gabriel and Hubby the back four looks reasonable solid.
Mid-field is the problem. I think I would have Connolly ahead of Dougall as the holding mid-fielder. Despite other complimentary voices I was disappointed with Keshi and Sonny. Not sure about the new boy yet but it's Still an area where we are short.
The front 3 in the 1st half didn't look they'd score before the January transfer window. Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3. He's strictly a 4-4-2 player. I'll accept that Bowler did OK because everyone else said despite being at fault for their 2 goals. CJ just wasn't at the races although I accept he was asked to play deep to help Rob Apter out.
So no idea how we solve the lack of goals unless we can play 4-3-4.
But please please please let Rob Apter play in his correct position.

We were awful on the ball, balls bouncing off us, given away so cheaply, no real quality in the final 3rd.

We're crying out for some quality.

 

[AmericanTangerine]

Fair is fair, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but I believe there were many more positives to take today than negatives.

Yeah Gary Madine probably doesn't belong up top on his own (I'd prefer JY there), CJ should not be in the starting XI, we are very short at LB and RB atm, but overall I was really pleased with the way the team played, we carved Rangers open many times with great balls in from Carey and Keshi and all around looked sharper with the ball. We easily could have scored 2-3 more today if we'd been more clinical.

You can really see what Appleton is trying to do and I honestly think it's coming off, in the first half I think we were the happier of the two teams.

Lewis Fiorini's signing today makes me very optimistic for the rest of the window will be a classy operator in midfield and give us another option and if we add 3-4 more players like that I think we'll have a very healthy team going into this season.

 

[Insider]

Fair is fair, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but I believe there were many more positives to take today than negatives.

Yeah Gary Madine probably doesn't belong up top on his own (I'd prefer JY there), CJ should not be in the starting XI, we are very short at LB and RB atm, but overall I was really pleased with the way the team played, we carved Rangers open many times with great balls in from Carey and Keshi and all around looked sharper with the ball. We easily could have scored 2-3 more today if we'd been more clinical.

You can really see what Appleton is trying to do and I honestly think it's coming off, in the first half I think we were the happier of the two teams.

Lewis Fiorini's signing today makes me very optimistic for the rest of the window will be a classy operator in midfield and give us another option and if we add 3-4 more players like that I think we'll have a very healthy team going into this season.

I admire your optimisn but with what we have available currently goals are once again going to be a premium.

 

[gjr69]

It was still a mix and match team, the starting 11 will be different against Reading.
Going off what we've seen so far pre season I would go with

Grimshaw
A right back Ekpiteta Keogh Garbutt
Anderson Connelly Fiorini
Bowler Yates Not Hamilton

Still a few pieces missing but I thought we had made some progress since the Leeds game.

 

[Pelada]

It was still a mix and match team, the starting 11 will be different against Reading.
Going off what we've seen so far pre season I would go with

Grimshaw
A right back Ekpiteta Keogh Garbutt
Anderson Connelly Fiorini
Bowler Yates Not Hamilton

Still a few pieces missing but I thought we had made some progress since the Leeds game.

So youd play Fiorini over Carey based on what youve seen?

 

[Tangerinetiltingatwindmil]

I couldn't go today but I did watch on TTV which doesn't always give the truest reflection of the game.
I didn't think we were that good.
Grimmy, Eky and Keogh all did their job.
I'd hope we don't start the season with Connolly and Apter as FBs but when we get Gabriel and Hubby the back four looks reasonably solid.
Mid-field is the problem. I think I would have Connolly ahead of Dougall as the holding mid-fielder. Despite other complimentary voices I was disappointed with Keshi and Sonny. Not sure about the new boy yet but it's still an area where we are short.
The front 3 in the 1st half didn't look they'd score before the January transfer window. Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3. He's strictly a 4-4-2 player. I'll accept that Bowler did OK because everyone else said so despite being at fault for their 2 goals. CJ just wasn't at the races although again I accept he was asked to play deep to help Rob Apter out.
So no idea how we solve the lack of goals unless we can play 4-3-4.
But please please please let Rob Apter play in his correct position.

Impressive performance imho from Apter.
Not sure if he was badly injured or just cramp towards the end.

 

[JJpool]

I admire your optimisn but with what we have available currently goals are once again going to be a premium.

Yep as it stands now it'll be the same hanging on if we do get ahead as we're far too wasteful.

However its pre season and we'll ramp up towards the start.

But I'm not exactly purring at the football and quality on display.

 

[Northstandsinger]

So youd play Fiorini over Carey based on what youve seen?

I think Carey’s gonna be a special player jay.

 

[Lost Seasider]

Not sure if he was badly injured or just cramp towards the end.

Just cramp.

 

[Trammo]

I couldn't go today but I did watch on TTV which doesn't always give the truest reflection of the game.
I didn't think we were that good.
Grimmy, Eky and Keogh all did their job.
I'd hope we don't start the season with Connolly and Apter as FBs but when we get Gabriel and Hubby the back four looks reasonably solid.
Mid-field is the problem. I think I would have Connolly ahead of Dougall as the holding mid-fielder. Despite other complimentary voices I was disappointed with Keshi and Sonny. Not sure about the new boy yet but it's still an area where we are short.
The front 3 in the 1st half didn't look they'd score before the January transfer window. Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3. He's strictly a 4-4-2 player. I'll accept that Bowler did OK because everyone else said so despite being at fault for their 2 goals. CJ just wasn't at the races although again I accept he was asked to play deep to help Rob Apter out.
So no idea how we solve the lack of goals unless we can play 4-3-4.
But please please please let Rob Apter play in his correct position.

Lone not loan ! DOH !

 

[gjr69]

So youd play Fiorini over Carey based on what youve seen?

I'm going off the fact that he has more games under his belt in league 1, but it's a close call for me at this stage with those 2. Could just as easily gone with Carey but I think Fiorini might be a bit further on with his development.
Those two will probably be battling it out for a starting place all season. Good competition.

 

[Northstandsinger]

I'm going off the fact that he has more games under his belt in league 1, but it's a close call for me at this stage with those 2. Could just as easily gone with Carey but I think Fiorini might be a bit further on with his development.
Those two will probably be battling it out for a starting place all season. Good competition.

We’re not in league 1 we’re in the championship where carey has more games under his belt than fiorini.

 

[tangysider]

I admire your optimisn but with what we have available currently goals are once again going to be a premium.

That attendance probably covers nearly half of Ellis Simms fee, match made in heaven and can play lone striker or as a 2.
My Sunderland mate also rated Broadhead highly, but last Broad something or other we had was gash

 

[Mexboroseasider]

Didn’t we score a consolation goal?

Are we not allowed to mention his name?

 

[Scaramanga]

A bit of composure and we take the lead, I didn’t think there was much in in first half. Rangers upped their game second half with Stephen Davis running the show, he’s a class player by the way. All in all a decent run out. Yes there s lots of work to do but we’re a work in progress. #believe.UTMP

 

[TimperleyTangerine]

I was happy with the general performance today. We created some good openings against a very strong squad. We cannot dismiss Rangers as a Championship team or ignore the fact that they were in a European final just recently. Had it not been for Bowler giving it away and then sleeping for the second, Rangers didn’t really do much.

It’s all about progress towards the first game, and I’m far more confident under MA about us scoring goals than I was under NC. Signings will come, and we will get stronger, but we’ve got some very good players already.

 

[Insider]

I was happy with the general performance today. We created some good openings against a very strong squad. We cannot dismiss Rangers as a Championship team or ignore the fact that they were in a European final just recently. Had it not been for Bowler giving it away and then sleeping for the second, Rangers didn’t really do much.

It’s all about progress towards the first game, and I’m far more confident under MA about us scoring goals than I was under NC. Signings will come, and we will get stronger, but we’ve got some very good players already.

I'm just struggling at the moment how to juggle the front 3 and the two attacking players behind them.
Your love child Jerry showed that little bit of class on the ball, creating the goal, to warrant him a start ahead of Gary but the players we have look more suited to 4-4-2.

 

[TimperleyTangerine]

I'm just struggling at the moment how to juggle the front 3 and the two attacking players behind them.
Your love child Jerry showed that little bit of class on the ball, creating the goal, to warrant him a start ahead of Gary but the players we have look more suited to 4-4-2.

The 4-3-3 will bed in, but yes, Jerry has to lead the line.

 

[gjr69]

We’re not in league 1 we’re in the championship where carey has more games under his belt than fiorini.

I'm not criticising Carey, I'm just saying for the first game it could be Fiorini, Carey really hasn't had many minutes on the pitch in league football. Hope he is a regular starter this season.

 

[voyeur]

Quality costs a fair amount of money at this level and we dont have parachute or foreign investment money. Expectations need to be realistic, as dull as that sounds.

But we can do better as an attacking team with this budget i believe. Critch did a great consolidation season, focused on making it hard to beat us. Appletons task is to build on that, give us more cutting edge but not lose the solidity. We suddenly seem to have possible choices in attacking midfield, with Fiorini, Carey, Keshi and even Dale.

The front three needs some sorting out and im hoping we might see a central striker arrive tbh. It coukd make a huge difference. And Rogers as well, I'm not sure any of our wide players really do the job. Not convinced we have anyone who really convinces in the front three. But we may only improve by using loans. So what do you do?

Will Lubala defy all the odds and become part of the transformation?! Back from the dead.

 

[Costero Poderoso]

Personally thought we played ok but the structure of the team seemed very unbalanced. Players were adapting again. We created the best chances in the first half. It still feels a bit forced.

 

[hills98]

Not seen enough yet to form a confident opinion, but based on the very little info from today, I'd possibly like to see midfield three being Dougall, Carey and Fiorini, and Keshi playing left side of the front three.

 

[Roy Kent]

I don’t like having downers on any one player but 2 mistakes (lack of application for the 2nd?) by 1 player led to both Rangers’ goals. Other than that we were as much in the game as they were- And they were relatively successful in Europe this year so that is not nothing.

We were not great but we were not terrible - and much better than vs Leeds so that is ‘Progress’ (yeah I know!)

Didn’t see enough of Fiorini to form any real opinion - but he’s just been signed on to a 5 yr contract for City so that bodes well.

I think Grimmy is a class act and we did great business there.

More cover / strength needed in a couple of areas e.g. full backs and a midfielder - but I was relatively ok with what I saw (on TV!)

 

[Fatboy]

Not seen enough yet to form a confident opinion, but based on the very little info from today, I'd possibly like to see midfield three being Dougall, Carey and Fiorini, and Keshi playing left side of the front three.

My midfield would be similar, but at the moment I would swap Kenny for Connolly, and play Bowler, Jerry and Bez as my front 3

 

[voyeur]

Not seen enough yet to form a confident opinion, but based on the very little info from today, I'd possibly like to see midfield three being Dougall, Carey and Fiorini, and Keshi playing left side of the front three.

That sounds good, but how much would that destabilise us defensively compared to last season? Needs trying.

 

[20togo]

Impressive performance imho from Apter.
Not sure if he was badly injured or just cramp towards the end.

nah, he was the weak link in that first half back four and Rangers exposed him time and again. Wrong position maybe, but let's not build him up to something he's not. And that is ready for Championship football as a full back.

 

[hills98]

My midfield would be similar, but at the moment I would swap Kenny for Connolly, and play Bowler, Jerry and Bez as my front 3

I like Connolly too, it's a long season, we'll need both IMO. I've not written off Bez either, but just gut feel he might not be here come the end of the window. Might be wrong.

 

[Insider]

nah, he was the weak link in that first half back four and Rangers exposed him time and again. Wrong position maybe, but let's not build him up to something he's not. And that is ready for Championship football as a full back.

I'm Rob Apter's biggest fan and whilst I probably wouldn't award him today's "weakest link" he isnt a FB and he didn't have a good game defensively
I've watched him develop over the last few seasons and he's a very intelligent young footballer with lots going for him offensively and whilst it's a credit to what the Manager thinks about him to ask him to play at FB Appleton certainly isn't doing him any favours.

 

[gjr69]

I'm Rob Apter's biggest fan and whilst I probably wouldn't award him today's "weakest link" he isnt a FB and he didn't have a good game defensively
I've watched him develop over the last few seasons and he's a very intelligent young footballer with lots going for him offensively and whilst it's a credit to what the Manager thinks about him to ask him to play at FB Appleton certainly isn't doing him any favours.

If Garbutt is fit for the Salford game maybe we could see Apter playing left side of the front 3, Hamilton definitely didn't nail down a place today.

 

[Kip]

It was a very mixed bag today. Some played well (Marv, Keogh, Connelly), some badly ( CJ, Anderson) and some (Bowler) both well and badly.

I don't think Appleton is doing Apter any favours atm. The lad's out of his depth at this level as a defender and his confidence will go at some point. No reason not to play him in his normal position if the current wingers aren't delivering.

I can see why Madine started but he looks awfully alone for long periods. Jerry looked a lot sharper but Lavery looks lost out wide. I can't see him wanting to stay around if that's what he has to look forward to.

Dale was interesting in a more central role and you can't fault Lubala but he wasn't good enough in L1 so it's a big ask for him to make any real impact on the season.

Not great, not awful.

 

[Altyseasider]

I think the problem we may have is that Appleton is very much a guy who plays to a certain system but I am not sure he has the players currently to play his way. My concern is with the way this transfer window has gone if we don't get a good start we could be cut off before the Jan transfer window

 

[gjr69]

It was a very mixed bag today. Some played well (Marv, Keogh, Connelly), some badly ( CJ, Anderson) and some (Bowler) both well and badly.

I don't think Appleton is doing Apter any favours atm. The lad's out of his depth at this level as a defender and his confidence will go at some point. No reason not to play him in his normal position if the current wingers aren't delivering.

I can see why Madine started but he looks awfully alone for long periods. Jerry looked a lot sharper but Lavery looks lost out wide. I can't see him wanting to stay around if that's what he has to look forward to.

Dale was interesting in a more central role and you can't fault Lubala but he wasn't good enough in L1 so it's a big ask for him to make any real impact on the season.

Not great, not awful.

Yates and Lavery rotating, but not as frequently as under Critchley, in the middle of a front 3 is the way forward. If I never see Madine in a tangerine shirt again wouldn't bother me but he might be good for the last 10 minutes if we want to waste time.
I'd have put Anderson in the good and bad bracket alongside Bowler.
Today was better than Leeds, so progress has been made.

 

[tangysider]

We were awful on the ball, balls bouncing off us, given away so cheaply, no real quality in the final 3rd.

We're crying out for some quality.

Congratulations
That is, far, far more negative than Insider managed

 

[Albert Ross]

I couldn't go today but I did watch on TTV which doesn't always give the truest reflection of the game.
I didn't think we were that good.
Grimmy, Eky and Keogh all did their job.
I'd hope we don't start the season with Connolly and Apter as FBs but when we get Gabriel and Hubby the back four looks reasonably solid.
Mid-field is the problem. I think I would have Connolly ahead of Dougall as the holding mid-fielder. Despite other complimentary voices I was disappointed with Keshi and Sonny. Not sure about the new boy yet but it's still an area where we are short.
The front 3 in the 1st half didn't look they'd score before the January transfer window. Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3. He's strictly a 4-4-2 player. I'll accept that Bowler did OK because everyone else said so despite being at fault for their 2 goals. CJ just wasn't at the races although again I accept he was asked to play deep to help Rob Apter out.
So no idea how we solve the lack of goals unless we can play 4-3-4.
But please please please let Rob Apter play in his correct position.

Absolutely spot on in every way, I’m glad I’m not the only one.

 

[JJpool]

Congratulations
That is, far, far more negative than Insider managed

Well, was annoyed at moves keeping breaking down or failing with a simple pass or final ball.

We are very wasteful and don't look championship quality at times.

Sometimes we'd win thr ball back and give it straight away again.

Speed of thought too slow, bad touch, under or over hit pass and moves that could go somewhere break down.

I've not seen too much in the last 2 games to get excited about.

 

[Albert Ross]

Fair is fair, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but I believe there were many more positives to take today than negatives.

Yeah Gary Madine probably doesn't belong up top on his own (I'd prefer JY there), CJ should not be in the starting XI, we are very short at LB and RB atm, but overall I was really pleased with the way the team played, we carved Rangers open many times with great balls in from Carey and Keshi and all around looked sharper with the ball. We easily could have scored 2-3 more today if we'd been more clinical.

You can really see what Appleton is trying to do and I honestly think it's coming off, in the first half I think we were the happier of the two teams.

Lewis Fiorini's signing today makes me very optimistic for the rest of the window will be a classy operator in midfield and give us another option and if we add 3-4 more players like that I think we'll have a very healthy team going into this season.

Goin off today all I can see Appleton is trying to do is carry on where Critchley left off. In fact I was beginning to think he had not left.

 

[Albert Ross]

That attendance probably covers nearly half of Ellis Simms fee, match made in heaven and can play lone striker or as a 2.
My Sunderland mate also rated Broadhead highly, but last Broad something or other we had was gash

Kirk Broadfoot.

 

[voyeur]

When we gave Appleton the job it felt like a downgrade on Critchley. Still feels that way to me but football surprises us and Appleton might. I reckon he'll improve some things but we will lose the tightness and organisation. I watched the game tonight on YouTube and we looked a bit shapeless and less disciplined. The press seems to have gone.

Its too early to say though, a change of system needs time and 2 or 3 different players. Just need to give it time and not stress about it.

 

[JJpool]

When we gave Appleton the job it felt like a downgrade on Critchley. Still feels that way to me but football surprises us and Appleton might. I reckon he'll improve some things but we will lose the tightness and organisation. I watched the game tonight on YouTube and we looked a bit shapeless and less disciplined. The press seems to have gone.

Its too early to say though, a change of system needs time and 2 or 3 different players. Just need to give it time and not stress about it.

We did still press, but not as much as I've seen us do in the past, it is a hot day against a good side though...

But yeah, apparently his teams don't press as much, which is a concern as that was our biggest weapon and leveller.

Maybe we can still do it but be smarter, plus play better but whoknows.

Tbf rangers didn't create much, we gifted them a goal and another we went to sleep from a corner.

 

[Tanger]

I couldn't go today but I did watch on TTV which doesn't always give the truest reflection of the game.
I didn't think we were that good.
Grimmy, Eky and Keogh all did their job.
I'd hope we don't start the season with Connolly and Apter as FBs but when we get Gabriel and Hubby the back four looks reasonably solid.
Mid-field is the problem. I think I would have Connolly ahead of Dougall as the holding mid-fielder. Despite other complimentary voices I was disappointed with Keshi and Sonny. Not sure about the new boy yet but it's still an area where we are short.
The front 3 in the 1st half didn't look they'd score before the January transfer window. Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3. He's strictly a 4-4-2 player. I'll accept that Bowler did OK because everyone else said so despite being at fault for their 2 goals. CJ just wasn't at the races although again I accept he was asked to play deep to help Rob Apter out.
So no idea how we solve the lack of goals unless we can play 4-3-4.
But please please please let Rob Apter play in his correct position.

Agree with everything you said there. For me I'm not sure why people view Sonny Carey as our saviour he's never put in a 90 minute performance that would make me think he's nailed in for this level. Kenny looked off the pace. On the plus side I think Connolly would be great in that holding midfield role... Also concerned about the fullbacks.

 

[Micky Walsh]

I couldn't go today but I did watch on TTV which doesn't always give the truest reflection of the game.
I didn't think we were that good.
Grimmy, Eky and Keogh all did their job.
I'd hope we don't start the season with Connolly and Apter as FBs but when we get Gabriel and Hubby the back four looks reasonably solid.
Mid-field is the problem. I think I would have Connolly ahead of Dougall as the holding mid-fielder. Despite other complimentary voices I was disappointed with Keshi and Sonny. Not sure about the new boy yet but it's still an area where we are short.
The front 3 in the 1st half didn't look they'd score before the January transfer window. Gary is not a loan striker in a front 3. He's strictly a 4-4-2 player. I'll accept that Bowler did OK because everyone else said so despite being at fault for their 2 goals. CJ just wasn't at the races although again I accept he was asked to play deep to help Rob Apter out.
So no idea how we solve the lack of goals unless we can play 4-3-4.
But please please please let Rob Apter play in his correct position.

12 players?

 

[hertfordseasider]

When we gave Appleton the job it felt like a downgrade on Critchley. Still feels that way to me but football surprises us and Appleton might. I reckon he'll improve some things but we will lose the tightness and organisation. I watched the game tonight on YouTube and we looked a bit shapeless and less disciplined. The press seems to have gone.

Its too early to say though, a change of system needs time and 2 or 3 different players. Just need to give it time and not stress about it.

Quitchley was a boring c**t!!

We will get another 5 or 6 players in before the transfer window closes and ship out the same number as we have some very ordinary players in the squad still. It will be a tough season but we have to hope it works out.

 

[Insider]

12 players?

Yes I said it deliberately.

 

[Scaramanga]

2 proper full backs in there and it’s a different game.

 

[Yarmouth Seasider]

2 proper full backs in there and it’s a different game.

This is spot on, we've got them in Gabriel and Husband but obviously they both need to be fit.
Grimshaw
Gabriel Marv Keogh Husband (with Thorniley and Garbutt as fillers)

Midfield is the conundrum, if as everyone seems to think its going to be 4-3-3, can we afford two attacking midfielders and one holding?
So Connolly/Dougal/Stewart with Carey/Fiorini/Anderson or maybe Dale?

Front three from Bowler (if he stays) Yates/Madine/Lavery/Lubala/Beesley/CJ/Apter

Who plays if we sign anyone else, God only knows, I still think Appleton is learning what he's got and what he needs.

We definitely need cover at right back and although Connolly has played there before, I think he's better in the middle of the park.
We seem to be overloaded with forwards, so some may have to go, I'd like to see a Yates/Beesley combination for a mobile front two alongside Bowler, but Beesleys injury obviously delays him taking part.

 

[voyeur]

We obviously need proper full backs and it'll help to get them back but it wont provide a cutting edge up front that we haven't had in a long while apart from the spell of games when Simms was on song and Gaz was on the bench!

 

[LA1 Seasider]

My take from yesterday was that we’re clearly lacking the balance that comes from operating with natural full backs. Apter and Connolly were caught out of position a couple of times (more so Apter) and that’s not really their fault when being asked to play in unfamiliar roles. That lack of balance limits the options for playing out of defence so we saw a lot more passing between GK and CB’s than I imagine Appleton was comfortable with. Apter however looked excellent with the ball at his feet and making his way up the pitch.
It was noticeable that that midfield was looking to turn possession into attacking moves much more frequently than we had done in previous seasons. Rangers played a very effective pressing game and made that a challenging afternoon for the midfield - despite a fair few moves breaking down and resulting in Rangers counter attacks and quite a few of our passses being off the mark there is a definite difference in attacking intent. It was also noticeable than instead of wingers being asked to drive for the byline and get a cross accross the box we were driving inside and towards goal and looking for an overlap or underlap from advancing midfielders. Carey and Bowler linked up well in the first half doing just that a few times. It was noticeable that our wingers were much less isolated than they sometimes were under Critchley, playing narrower and a little deeper.

It will take time for the midfield to get used to having less time on the ball. Dougall seemed to struggle to act as the pivot allowing defence to turn to attack and the press often caught him before he even managed to turn and pick out a pass. A VERY effective Rangers press and a lack of wingbacks are probably the biggest cause for this, but I also worry Keshi wasn’t making himself available deep enough yesterday, which will be needed if we’re playing with 1 CDM as the CM and ACM will need to make themselves available earlier than when playing with 2 CDM’s.

CJ never really got going in the game. I was disappointed that when he had the ball at his feet he wanted to beat his man rather than use his pure pace. It may be he’s trying to balance the new tactical approach (playing more inside rather than far out wide) and therefore knows he could end up isolated but I think he needs to utilise his biggest weapon more than he does.

Bowler was very effective going forward. Still guilty of trying too much and overthinking and also guilty for both goals - firstly trying to play his way out of the back (which he did a few times) and secondly and most frustratingly not tracking his man (which is criminal at any level). He’ll definitely benefit from having a wing back in behind him again resulting in less defensive responsibilities, more passing options on the attack and likely a chance to start attacks a good 20/30 yards further up the pitch.

Difficult to judge the forwards but I do think we need to be more clinical. We had a handful of chances in the first half and failed to hit the target. I think with more balance to the squad as a whole that will create the time and space the forwards need. Also we won’t be playing such a great pressing team each week.

For me it was a 7/10 performance. Plenty to learn from, plenty to improve upon but some definite positives.

Marv and Keogh were impressive under a lot of pressure at times. Grimshaw similar (albeit he did put himself under some unnecessary pressure) and Carey looked both dynamic in attack but also very sharp when it comes to chasing down and defending. Carey looks a lot more like a footballer (physically) this season and could be quite the player.

 

[Insider]

My take from yesterday was that we’re clearly lacking the balance that comes from operating with natural full backs. Apter and Connolly were caught out of position a couple of times (more so Apter) and that’s not really their fault when being asked to play in unfamiliar roles. That lack of balance limits the options for playing out of defence so we saw a lot more passing between GK and CB’s than I imagine Appleton was comfortable with. Apter however looked excellent with the ball at his feet and making his way up the pitch.
It was noticeable that that midfield was looking to turn possession into attacking moves much more frequently than we had done in previous seasons. Rangers played a very effective pressing game and made that a challenging afternoon for the midfield - despite a fair few moves breaking down and resulting in Rangers counter attacks and quite a few of our passses being off the mark there is a definite difference in attacking intent. It was also noticeable than instead of wingers being asked to drive for the byline and get a cross accross the box we were driving inside and towards goal and looking for an overlap or underlap from advancing midfielders. Carey and Bowler linked up well in the first half doing just that a few times. It was noticeable that our wingers were much less isolated than they sometimes were under Critchley, playing narrower and a little deeper.

It will take time for the midfield to get used to having less time on the ball. Dougall seemed to struggle to act as the pivot allowing defence to turn to attack and the press often caught him before he even managed to turn and pick out a pass. A VERY effective Rangers press and a lack of wingbacks are probably the biggest cause for this, but I also worry Keshi wasn’t making himself available deep enough yesterday, which will be needed if we’re playing with 1 CDM as the CM and ACM will need to make themselves available earlier than when playing with 2 CDM’s.

CJ never really got going in the game. I was disappointed that when he had the ball at his feet he wanted to beat his man rather than use his pure pace. It may be he’s trying to balance the new tactical approach (playing more inside rather than far out wide) and therefore knows he could end up isolated but I think he needs to utilise his biggest weapon more than he does.

Bowler was very effective going forward. Still guilty of trying too much and overthinking and also guilty for both goals - firstly trying to play his way out of the back (which he did a few times) and secondly and most frustratingly not tracking his man (which is criminal at any level). He’ll definitely benefit from having a wing back in behind him again resulting in less defensive responsibilities, more passing options on the attack and likely a chance to start attacks a good 20/30 yards further up the pitch.

Difficult to judge the forwards but I do think we need to be more clinical. We had a handful of chances in the first half and failed to hit the target. I think with more balance to the squad as a whole that will create the time and space the forwards need. Also we won’t be playing such a great pressing team each week.

For me it was a 7/10 performance. Plenty to learn from, plenty to improve upon but some definite positives.

Marv and Keogh were impressive under a lot of pressure at times. Grimshaw similar (albeit he did put himself under some unnecessary pressure) and Carey looked both dynamic in attack but also very sharp when it comes to chasing down and defending. Carey looks a lot more like a footballer (physically) this season and could be quite the player.

Very good analysis that.
The FB position is obviously difficult at the moment with the injuries. The front 3 is also problematic not least because currently they are not scoring goals. If you look at the way Liverpool play its the FBs that are the key. They are effectively wingers. Gabriel can play that role but Hubby less so. However if you use your FBs as your wingers then traditional wingers are effectively redundant. You could however have a front 3 of Lavery, Yates and A N Other and personally I give Apter a chance.
Lots for Appy to think about.