M'boro played a second string team which didn't test Pool at all. It did, however, show that Bowler and Lavery are playing with confidence and are in form.
Critchley chose to leave them out against Cardiff...a strange decision, along with the make up of his back four.
I hate to say it but on this occasion you are correct.
This was NOT the manager's finest hour BUT he still has a lot of credit in the bank following on from last season. I am not going to be over critical but I think we made some fundamental selection errors yesterday and we didnt deal with their strengths at all well.
If you are going to stay loyal to players then I have no issue with that but when you have got out of jail bringing it in at 0-0 at half time you simply have to change it there and then. To wait for over an hour before changing it up was just plain wrong. I think most people would agree we could have no complaints if we were trailing 3-0 at the break and we just werent dealing with the aerial threat they posed. To leave the changes of Lavery and Bowler so late was bordering on criminal.
Personally I would have stuck with players in form such as Carey Bowler and Lavery. Playing against the land of the giants may well have suited that injection of pace and Yates and Lavery ratting after every ball and running the big guys ragged may well have given them something to think about.
I am a big fan of CJ but he is woefully out of form and looks like he is still looking after his hamstring for now....he hasnt got the same explosive pace yet but hopefully that will return. Hoiking high ball sup to him to try and win headers is not his game. That said Bowler had an immediate impact and did more in 30 secs that CJ did all game.
I thought the following applied yesterday:
Maxwell deservedly won man of the match but I am sure he will be a little disappointed with the second albeit being a decent header. His distribution isnt the greatest but he is a decent keeper at this level. If he were taller and a better distributor he wouldnt be playing for us.
Connolly did ok and may well prove the answer at centre half or even as a defensive midfielder. He seems to struggle positionally at right back and it was his man that scored their first.
Husband was found out a good few times yesterday and had a tough day at the office...I think he should be a back up as centre half or left back parsonnally and not first pick as either.
Keogh did ok but is pretty slow and may well unsettle the squad if he keeps screaming at players. He would be a good component in a back 5 but personally I would prefer Connolly in this slot.
Garbutt like the manager has credit in the bank but this was one of his poorest games in tangerine. His free kicks were woeful and the corners just dont get beyond the first defender. For a set piece specialist he really isnt shining at the direct free kicks we get. Charlie Adamesque he is not.
Dougall also has plenty of credit in the bank but again had a poor game...he did this at one point last season when he returned after covid and hopefully it is just a blip. Worrying that he is yet to sign a new deal.
Keshi did ok but just ok. I think there is a real good player in there but we are yet to see it to be fair. He needs to come and find the ball if it isnt finding him.
Ward was poor first half but improved markedly after the break and was one of the better outfield players. He isnt quite as creative as he could be yet and hopefully he can start finding a killer ball (Carey did that on a number of occasions on Wednesday)
CJ had his worst game yet in tangerine and needs a confidence builder and plenty of fitness work. I really hope he can turn it around and become a whippet again.
John Jules hasnt done it for me at all yet and needs to get involved and stop moaning about a lack of service. Yet to impress and lucky to get the nod yesterday he didnt take the chance with both hands and should be on the bench Tuesday.
Yates has been poor so far but did show one glimpse of his brilliance yesterday before slicing wide the chance he created so skilfully. One up top doesnt work so lets get him and Lavery chasing everyting and running them ragged. Personally I would have Lavery Bowler and Carey all in on Tuesday and play a team based on players in form.
Lavery and Bowler in particular both looked very dangerous when they came on and we need a substitute coach if Critch cant see when they should be made. It was obvious to most that the subs were too little too late AGAIN!!!
They're volunteers like so can’t be too harsh but it was a joke.
