2022/23 Matchday Thread

[BelizeHatter]

I think all our CBs are all better in a 3 as it suits them all, minimising weaknesses. It works well for us whatever the combo of five. Bree is excelling lately too.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I think all our CBs are all better in a 3 as it suits them all, minimising weaknesses. It works well for us whatever the combo of five. Bree is excelling lately too.

Bree has been excellent. His delivery has noticeably improved, especially set pieces. Think having Burke with him on that side helps him, his athleticism covers Bree going forward and Burke will often do the overlapping centre back run to create additional space for him.

 

[oakroader]

NJ...will he tinker with an improving in confidence defence or will he feel the need to fit sonny back in?

 

[Kenneth E End]

Bree has been excellent. His delivery has noticeably improved, especially set pieces. Think having Burke with him on that side helps him, his athleticism covers Bree going forward and Burke will often do the overlapping centre back run to create additional space for him.

Bree has been exceptional in recent weeks. He is fulfilling his potential - he clearly is a confidence player which I’m sure he’ll manage better with age.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Harry Cornick interview after the game is a good watch if you’re a town fan. Seems to have some personality about him unlike a lot of footballers. Keeping the beard as he thinks it makes him look like Gattuso, refers to the influence of Henri Lansbury “if he’s kicking people in the air you think I best get involved here!”

Cameo from Pelly too if you fancy a laugh. Little insight into what the team is like together which you don’t see that often.

 

[SF_]

Hull away, they've made some good signings, will be a tough game.

Hoping to see Bauer, Browne, DJ & Archer return to the side. Hughes went off with a knock so could see Cunningham at CB and Earl at LWB.

Iversen
VDB, Bauer, Cunningham
Whiteman
Potts, Browne, DJ, Earl
Riis, Archer​

 

[SF_]

Top win at Hull, looking defensively solid at the minute, Cameron Archer is a big talent.

 

[SF_]

Big shame we wasted half a season under McAvoy, this league is possibly the worst I've known it in twenty years. We'd be in the PO mix if Lowe had been appointed in the summer, and this is probably our second poorest squad since we came back up in 2015.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Thats why its 'weak'. So many teams 'wasted' opportunity and money. Always the same.

Id like to thow a counter theory out there, albeit from afar, that maybe its stronger nowadays. The weaker/lower budget/smaller sides are much better organised and so much more tactically aware utilising technolgy modern techniques along with old fashioned hard, but smart, training ground work. So they are taking more and more points off the 'better' bigger and perhaps cocky and arrogant sides.

 

[SF_]

Thats why its 'weak'. So many teams 'wasted' opportunity and money. Always the same.

Id like to thow a counter theory out there, albeit from afar, that maybe its stronger nowadays. The weaker/lower budget/smaller sides are much better organised and so much more tactically aware utilising technolgy modern techniques along with old fashioned hard, but smart, training ground work. So they are taking more and more points off the 'better' bigger and perhaps cocky and arrogant sides.

Due to Covid, I think very little quality has been added to the league over the last two years, not helped by Prem sides stockpiling young talent.

Fulham aren't really all that but have retained most of the players who got them up last time, as a result it's been a walk in the park for them, especially with Mitrovic.

Even Bournemouth, they had a busy deadline day but none of the players they brought in were overly impressive, even Cantwell has proven he was a bit of a flash in the pan. Blackburn haven't strengthened at all but have been lucky that Brereton has stepped up and realised his potential.

I do agree about the organisational, fitness and analytical side of things though, it results in a lot of cancelling each other out, usually making for some pretty dire games. Makes it even more important to have a clinical striker to decide the tight games, which there are many.

It's certainly as competitive as ever but the quality of players overall is definitely down in my opinion.

 

[SF_]

Huddersfield at home on Wednesday, tough, they've been consistent all season and seem strong on the road.

DJ back in the eleven for McCann would be the only change for me, need his creativity at Deepdale against an organised side like this lot.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Barnsley at home for us tonight as the games just keep coming. We had opportunity to rest a few on the weekend so should be fresh hopefully. Would be good to have Adebayo back but not sure of the extent of things with him.

Barnsley obviously having a bit of a shocker of a season but I read today we’ve not beat them at home for 30 years! 14 points all season is really pretty shocking considering where they were last season.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Really poor first half from us. Somehow got ahead with a scrappy goal from a set piece, which is becoming a very profitable route for us but we never deserved it. Sloppy defensively all evening and eventually Barnsley took the opportunity to get level. Just not woken up and some key players having some poor games. Looked like we had a nailed on penalty not given but we haven’t exactly earned much luck so far.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Better second half without us still really playing that well. Barnsley never looked like threatening to score again so just about whether we could create something to win it.

Got the penalty which Adebayo dispatched, not sure what Barnsley were so upset about got away with one earlier and this one looked pretty nailed on too, ref let them take the piss with the protesting after it was given and the keeper properly had a tantrum after it for a good minute even after the restart. Had some decent chances to add some extra comfort through Adebayo and Campbell but I think that might have given it a flattering score. Barnsley passed it better than we did but weren’t a real threat for the most part.

Small gripe from me and I know in some ways it will be tactical but sometimes I wish our midfield players would stick a foot on the ball and try and pick a pass. I know we like to get the ball forward quick but it’s sometimes just a bit toooo rushed for me. Lansbury is terrible for it and it’s a bit frustrating as you know from his career he’s got a bit of quality to pick a pass rather than lump it behind the defence.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I agree with that gripe. Its something Pelly does extremely well when hes on form - he was quiet last night and hence so were we. Just slow it up, get your head up, the ball down, show some quality thinking, hold the ball find some space with a pass. A lot of head tennis and as you say mindlessly clipping it over the top and just wasting possession and inviting trouble. Bell constantly does the same and almost always loses it or passes for an easy interception or out for a throw.

An off night all around - yet we won - against stubborn opposition. i thought for the first time in ages we weren't solid anywhere, especially at the back with even Kal making a hash if things a couple of times and the other two looking less than filly comfortable. It was if our own making too rather than opposition pressure.

 

[Kenneth E End]

No Tuesday night game next week, so after Saturday they can regroup and get some deserved rest, as the schedule has been fairly brutal. We haven’t been playing that well in a while and performances dropping off, but still 1 defeat in 11 games!

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

That’s the encouraging thing for me, we’ve found ourselves playing poorly but been able to pick up wins and points. There was a time at this level where we had to be really on top of our game and if we werent we would get swept aside with some ease, thats no longer the case now and we can still pick up points.

 

[SF_]

Annoying, should have won that one.

Don't remember them having a chance bar a few crosses flashing across the box.

First half was drab but their keeper pulled off a top point blank save, then second half we should have made the pressure count. Great block on Whiteman's shot, then had the chance to seal it in the final minute but Riis was falling backwards and didn't make proper contact.

Frustrating day for Archer, had opportunities but nothing would settle for him to get a clean shot away.

4 consecutive home draws, need to follow up with a win away at Peterborough on Saturday.

 

[SF_]

Would like to see the penalty shouts again, three of them.

 

[Super_horns]

Would like to see the penalty shouts again, three of them.

Certainly a good shout for handball which might have been given by other refs.

Same for the foul at the end.

 

[SF_]

Certainly a good shout for handball which might have been given by other refs.

Same for the foul at the end.

Haven't seen replays yet but that's very annoying, certainly haven't had much luck at times this season. Riis has been robbed of loads of penalty decisions.

 

[SF_]

Yeah blatant shirt pull right at the end which stopped Riis getting in position to score.

For the other Riis shout, the defender clearly stands on his toes but it's debatable whether he was already going down. VAR would have given both, haven't seen a replay of the handball incident.

 

[SF_]

My first trip to Peterborough on Saturday, the away end looks the sort you can make a racket in, if i'm looking at the right one.

Cunningham went off injured last night and it didn't look great, imagine Earl will come in for him and Riis back in for Evans.

Iversen
VDB, Bauer, Hughes
Whiteman
Potts, Browne, DJ, Earl
Riis, Archer​

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

My first trip to Peterborough on Saturday, the away end looks the sort you can make a racket in, if i'm looking at the right one.

Cunningham went off injured last night and it didn't look great, imagine Earl will come in for him and Riis back in for Evans.

Iversen
VDB, Bauer, Hughes
Whiteman
Potts, Browne, DJ, Earl
Riis, Archer​

Peterborough is a bit weird when it comes to where away fans sit as it seems to move, we’ve been put in one corner of the main stand which is the old looking one down the side at times but also been put in the new Motorpoint Stand at one end on our most recent trip. Guess it comes down to how many you bring.

Most recent trip was in the new stand which had some decent facilities but think this year I’ve seen more in the main stand than at that end.

 

[SF_]

Peterborough is a bit weird when it comes to where away fans sit as it seems to move, we’ve been put in one corner of the main stand which is the old looking one down the side at times but also been put in the new Motorpoint Stand at one end on our most recent trip. Guess it comes down to how many you bring.

Most recent trip was in the new stand which had some decent facilities but think this year I’ve seen more in the main stand than at that end.

Just looked, we have both tiers in the Main North Stand. I'm hoping that's the old one?

£28 is a bit steep for Peterborough.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Just looked, we have both tiers in the Main North Stand. I'm hoping that's the old one?

£28 is a bit steep for Peterborough.

Yep that’s the old one down the side, not the end.

Yep pretty steep but everywhere is at this level I find!

 

[Super_horns]

Peterborough have been in trouble with their own fans over the ticket prices for the cup game v Man C.

Peterborough United cut prices for Manchester City FA Cup tie after fan backlash

Peterborough United reduce ticket prices for their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester City following a backlash from fans.

www.bbc.co.uk

Owners obviously a bit greedy.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

One change from midweek as Osho is replaced by Lockyer. Good move imo as I think Osho, has played well, but does seem to struggle with bigger centre more physical centre forwards and big high balls. Bristol City we conceded a goal from that sort of position and he got replaced midweek because he seemed to be struggling to deal with those moments.

Not that it will make a difference as they have Lyle Taylor who always seems to play well and score against us!

 

[Kenneth E End]

Allan Campbell is turning into a cracking little player at championship level.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Makes up for Bell being a shit one. Hes so crap going forward. Almost never finds a Luton player. What a shit cross when clear thru on the left again