Just got back……

[Bobby Dandruff]

An excellent away point that I’d have taken before KO, especially seeing as Collins went off so early with an injury.

There were solid performances all round although we didn’t create much going forward. (I can’t remember us having a shot on target and they seemed to have loads of corners, especially in the second half)

Allsop made a few regulation stops with one excellent save down to his left towards the end.

West Brom are the first team that I have seen REALLY press us from our own goal kicks but in fairness to our players, they stuck to their game and remained calm even if it did occasionally make for some hairy viewing. I don’t mind that at all and think that it is good to see although others in the crowd weren’t seemingly as happy.

Ralls looked a bit off the pace and I was glad to see him replaced with Sawyers, and the game became increasingly ragged the more substitutions were made.

Simpson grew into the game after appearing very casual in possession in the first half. His calm manner on the ball could prove to be an asset in time.

West Brom were average at best.

P.S. Away fans having to walk away from and then around the stadium after the game is a right pain, if you ever visit The Hawthorns 🤬

[Nobody's Rep]

Re: Just got back……

An excellent away point that I’d have taken before KO, especially seeing as Collins went off so early with an injury.

There were solid performances all round although we didn’t create much going forward. (I can’t remember us having a shot on target and they seemed to have loads of corners, especially in the second half)

Allsop made a few regulation stops with one excellent save down to his left towards the end.

West Brom are the first team that I have seen REALLY press us from our own goal kicks but in fairness to our players, they stuck to their game and remained calm even if it did occasionally make for some hairy viewing. I don’t mind that at all and think that it is good to see although others in the crowd weren’t seemingly as happy.

Ralls looked a bit off the pace and I was glad to see him replaced with Sawyers, and the game became increasingly ragged the more substitutions were made.

Simpson grew into the game after appearing very casual in possession in the first half. His calm manner on the ball could prove to be an asset in time.

West Brom were average at best.

P.S. Away fans having to walk away from and then around the stadium after the game is a right pain, if you ever visit The Hawthorns 🤬

Just got back as well and can't disagree much with that - considering after 5 minutes we had two different defenders from Saturday showed our strength in depth and also the togetherness especially as it was a new left hand side

O'Dowda was top draw and Wintle again excelled

Not sure how we ended with bookings for our first fouls when they were getting three or four bites ( mainly on ojo) before getting booked

Great night shit journey home though

[Lither_1927]

Re: Just got back……

An excellent away point that I’d have taken before KO, especially seeing as Collins went off so early with an injury.

There were solid performances all round although we didn’t create much going forward. (I can’t remember us having a shot on target and they seemed to have loads of corners, especially in the second half)

Allsop made a few regulation stops with one excellent save down to his left towards the end.

West Brom are the first team that I have seen REALLY press us from our own goal kicks but in fairness to our players, they stuck to their game and remained calm even if it did occasionally make for some hairy viewing. I don’t mind that at all and think that it is good to see although others in the crowd weren’t seemingly as happy.

Ralls looked a bit off the pace and I was glad to see him replaced with Sawyers, and the game became increasingly ragged the more substitutions were made.

Simpson grew into the game after appearing very casual in possession in the first half. His calm manner on the ball could prove to be an asset in time.

West Brom were average at best.

P.S. Away fans having to walk away from and then around the stadium after the game is a right pain, if you ever visit The Hawthorns 🤬

You say we didn't have a shot on goal and West Brom were average at best. What does that say about us?

[EastbourneBlue]

Re: Just got back……

An excellent away point that I’d have taken before KO, especially seeing as Collins went off so early with an injury.

There were solid performances all round although we didn’t create much going forward. (I can’t remember us having a shot on target and they seemed to have loads of corners, especially in the second half)

Allsop made a few regulation stops with one excellent save down to his left towards the end.

West Brom are the first team that I have seen REALLY press us from our own goal kicks but in fairness to our players, they stuck to their game and remained calm even if it did occasionally make for some hairy viewing. I don’t mind that at all and think that it is good to see although others in the crowd weren’t seemingly as happy.

Ralls looked a bit off the pace and I was glad to see him replaced with Sawyers, and the game became increasingly ragged the more substitutions were made.

Simpson grew into the game after appearing very casual in possession in the first half. His calm manner on the ball could prove to be an asset in time.

West Brom were average at best.

P.S. Away fans having to walk away from and then around the stadium after the game is a right pain, if you ever visit The Hawthorns 🤬

Almost every goal kick went to NG or Simpson then right down the middle to Wintle. West Brom knew exactly where it was going and how they didn’t end up nabbing it off us and scoring I don’t know.

Playing from the back is clearly an important part of what we do, but on occasions it has to just go forward, as Morison clearly instructed in the end last night.

There we also a couple of occasions when it looked like we might attack but played it all the way back to Alsopp.

All in all though, a very good point and some good performances. Simpson had me worried at times with his choice of pass, but you have to say well done to him given his lack game of time.

O’Dowda showed excellent attitude when asked to play left back and is looking like signing of the season.

Ojo did well and might’ve scored. I always feel there’s a great player just waiting to be released from him. Hope he can do it.

NG excellent and strong throughout.

Sawyers and Ralls looked a bit off the pace. I’m sure no one will thank me for saying it, but Etete looks nowhere near ready. He can’t win anything in the air and does not appear to chase anything down. At the moment the place in the starting 11 belongs to Watters.

[olderblue]

Re: Just got back……

Agree about Odowda, he was excellent again last night, we missed his ability to influence the game up front, but with 3 clean sheets out of 4, we are developing into a team that's hard to beat.
Hopefully Collins injury isn't as bad as it looked and he's back soon, he has really impressed me, if he is out I would imagine Ng will go to left back on Sunday and Simpson will partner Kipre.
Fair play to Simpson for coming in and after a couple of shaky moments settling into the role to produce a decent debut
It was a good strong team performance and a draw was the right result.
Neither Watters or Etete had much chance to shine and Etete will need a run of games to get up to speed in the Championship.

[John Buchanan]

Re: Just got back……

Having come to accept (and even enjoy/admire) the way we pass the ball about at the back, even under pressure, what I could not put my finger on last night was why, having seemingly cleared the danger zone, we then played it back to do it all again. Was it because of a change in personnel: wide players not giving options; a centre midfielder not on top of his game; centre forward not dropping back or maybe a change in structure/ instructions? Or was it down to the fact that Birmingham just pressed us more in midfield?
Have to add that I thought Watters was superb last night and, at the moment, Etete worries me, he seems to have no ability or desire to get involved and influence the game. Early days I know, and he is young, we will see. But perhaps those that do can get off Watter's back now, goal or no goal (yet). It is the last thing he needs or deserves.

[The Lone Gunman]

Re: Just got back……

But perhaps those that do can get off Watter's back now, goal or no goal (yet). It is the last thing he needs or deserves.

Considering that City didn’t manage a single shot on target last night, what was it that Watters did so well? I’m genuinely curious.

[JamesWales]

Re: Just got back……

Considering that City didn’t manage a single shot on target last night, what was it that Watters did so well? I’m genuinely curious.

He didn't have any shots off target which is pretty impressive for 90 minutes.

[EastbourneBlue]

Re: Just got back……

Considering that City didn’t manage a single shot on target last night, what was it that Watters did so well? I’m genuinely curious.

Chased down well and won the ball a few times to create opportunities.

Don’t think anyone thinks he’s the long term answer but on last nights evidence offers more than Etete currently

[Bobby Dandruff]

Re: Just got back……

Almost every goal kick went to NG or Simpson then right down the middle to Wintle. West Brom knew exactly where it was going and how they didn’t end up nabbing it off us and scoring I don’t know.

Playing from the back is clearly an important part of what we do, but on occasions it has to just go forward, as Morison clearly instructed in the end last night.

There we also a couple of occasions when it looked like we might attack but played it all the way back to Alsopp.

All in all though, a very good point and some good performances. Simpson had me worried at times with his choice of pass, but you have to say well done to him given his lack game of time.

O’Dowda showed excellent attitude when asked to play left back and is looking like signing of the season.

Ojo did well and might’ve scored. I always feel there’s a great player just waiting to be released from him. Hope he can do it.

NG excellent and strong throughout.

Sawyers and Ralls looked a bit off the pace. I’m sure no one will thank me for saying it, but Etete looks nowhere near ready. He can’t win anything in the air and does not appear to chase anything down. At the moment the place in the starting 11 belongs to Watters.

I agree with all of that apart from the Etete and Watters bit. I’d like to see Etete start and Watters come on. (Despite very little service for either, Watters again frustrated)

[Bobby Dandruff]

Re: Just got back……

Having come to accept (and even enjoy/admire) the way we pass the ball about at the back, even under pressure, what I could not put my finger on last night was why, having seemingly cleared the danger zone, we then played it back to do it all again. Was it because of a change in personnel: wide players not giving options; a centre midfielder not on top of his game; centre forward not dropping back or maybe a change in structure/ instructions? Or was it down to the fact that Birmingham just pressed us more in midfield?
Have to add that I thought Watters was superb last night and, at the moment, Etete worries me, he seems to have no ability or desire to get involved and influence the game. Early days I know, and he is young, we will see. But perhaps those that do can get off Watter's back now, goal or no goal (yet). It is the last thing he needs or deserves.

Wait: Watters was superb? How do you come to that conclusion?

[Bald Barry Bastad]

Re: Just got back……

I don't like Etetes body language. On showing so far I prefer Watters up front

[Rjk]

Re: Just got back……

I don't like Etetes body language. On showing so far I prefer Watters up front

taller players can often appear languid and less interested than shorter players, but it isn't necessarily true

[John Buchanan]

Re: Just got back……

I don't like Etetes body language. On showing so far I prefer Watters up front

Ok, maybe "superb" was not the best choice of descriptor. Obviously he is still lacking in some areas and is probably not the final answer but I thought his chasing and his runs were "very good". I think we missed him after he was taken off. I also think he was way above Etete and to a lesser extent Harris in terms of commitment and impact. He kept the defenders working and thinking.

[Trigger]

Re: Just got back……

There we also a couple of occasions when it looked like we might attack but played it all the way back to Alsopp.

Yea I don't know what that was all about, both times I noticed it we were either just inside their half or near halfway with options to go forward.

Playing it all the way back so we could play roulette again seemed odd.

I'm happy we are trying to play out but some of it was beach football. Really should have been punished.