joey_big_nose

On current form no one is buying Cantwell. To generate any interest he is going to need put together a run of 10 good performances and I hope he does as we really need him to help get results. The players who will generate interest will be Travis, Tronstad and Brittain.

I missed the oxford game on the weekend but watched it back on Rovers player. The chink of light in it was how good Buckley was. Back to his best. He gets pigeon holed as a deep lying playmaker but hes far better playing box to box. Seemed like he had totally different instructions from his previous couple of games, instead getting forward at every opportunity. We need to build around that. Id still go 3 at the back but maybe change go for a 352 over a 343 and play Dolan and Gueye as a two up front. Given how static Forshaw is maybe try and play JRC, Cantwell and Buckley as a three in the middle. Its hardly ideal but I think its probably our best bet.

According to whoscored Sanderson has never played centre midfield in his life... would be a massive call to put him in there and given how hugely centre back (positionally rigid, ball always in front of you, only need to play simple passes, usually not too much pressure etc) is different from centre mid (receive ball and turn, immediate pressure, find clever passes, positionally fluid) it does not seem like it will happen. https://www.whoscored.com/players/384128/show/dion-sanderson Still remember with joy when Ferdinand (best ball playing English centre back of his generation) got completely owned in midfield at Ewood. A truly great day!

Coventry are such a bogey side for us. One of the worst we could play with the side in disarray from injuries. Feels like we may change things up and go 352 given massive midfield challenges and Sanderson looking a decent player. Pears Sanderson Baath Hyam Brittain Buckley JRC Beck Dolan Gueye Hedges Feeling like the workload is really putting Baath, Hyam, Brittain and Beck at risk. Cantwell needs dropping, he's had a few good spells in games like the second half against Portsmouth but overall he's probably been our worst player over the last six games or so.

Thought that seemed a lot for a player moving from a league one side to a newly promoted championship side. But as he went to Bournemouth first then Birmingham it seems reasonable. Surprised Oxford can afford it though. Is there a source on that?

Team for me.... Pears Brittain. Baath. Hyam. Beck Buckley. Tronstad. Cantwell ACD. Gueye. Dolan Think the 4231 isnt really working without Travis, Id change it slightly to start Cantwell a bit deeper and set the expectation for Buckley and Cantwell to break forward. Tronstad and Buckley both sitting deep is too static.

Yeah Beck has an amazing talent of being able to be incredibly physical but stays just the right side of fouling them even when hes a pace behind.

I thought Dolan was pretty good to be honest, did a lot down the right, got some good balls in. Out of the front four he was easily the best until the subs so I was a bit surprised when he was taken off with Hedges. Still given the result can hardly quibble with that call!

I think thats the first i ever seen a suggestion of a nameless player from a computer game??

Yeah he had a mixed game. Like everyone missed passes but played some good ones too. WIth Travis coming back soon, Forshaw looking alright coming on and Cantwell seeming un-droppable he needs to step up the performance level against Oxford.

Every player we have has improved under Eustace apart from Dolan and Hedges I think. What's happened to Pears, Brittain, Hyam and Travis under him has been truly remarkable. All have gone from being big question marks to top Championship performers. I guess it's the impact of a well organised defence and team spirit.

Id say Gueye is more of a confidence player. Id start him next game as his blood will be up. When hes on it Gueye is so so good. He looked last night like he was in August. His shooting is really poor, but a lot of the rest his game is very rounded imo. He can win it in the air, find space, run in behind, link up play. A real nightmare for any defence. Kind of the ideal target man. But then sometimes forgets how to use his legs for a month or two. So weird!

Fuck me we've been lucky with decisions in this game

Gueyes looking excellent, winning everything

I said earlier the game is perfect for Gueye... Portsmouth dodgy defence, loads of space, high line. He'll get a few more chances.

Always said Gueyes the new Drogba

Cantwell is a technically good player but he just lacks cut through. So little of what he does actually hurts the opposition defence.

We've definitely been by far the better team... Just cant finish.

Id get ACD on for Hedges and Gueye on for Wieman.

Feels like a game for Gueye this

Hayden Carter

Seen a lot worse... Quite a lot of chances already. Brilliant from Cantwell there, abysmal by Hedges!

Portsmouth seem to be playing quite offensively despite looking very poor at the back. We'll keep on getting a lot of chances.

Yes... looks like he is more of a winger signing to me.

What brought you to that point of view?