Sanchino wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 04, 2019 10:14 am

Somebodys pinched my sombrero wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 8:41 am

Wish Diame would show that every game. Drove forward strongly every time he got the ball.

This. Originally in his Wigan days wasn't he a attacking mid and continued to play that position on occasions at West Ham and Hull? I always thought of him being a Yaya Toure (not the same talent / ability level) lite who can play box-to-box and be pushed up to number 10 when needed. Certainly looked good when he came on and would like to see him partner Longstaff in the middle pending his injury's not too bad, as much as Hayden's done well he looked burnt out against West Ham losing possession, making too many unnecessary fouls and sluggish with the ball you could just say it's exhaustion but form is always temporary and in terms of class Hayden's a average player at this level with limitations that's why more time Championship clubs will be looking at him as I think he'll be a good if not solid player at that level were he has more time on the ball (Championship top six/one of the relegated Prem sides chasing back promotion next season). Long-term wise for next season Longstaff's the future with the likes of Jonjo and Ki coming back into the fold and possibly Diame if he gets one year extension but I think a defensive mid in the summer will be something we will need to look at that can start alongside Longstaff / Jonjo.

Speedo wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:23 am

I don’t think Diame is mobile enough at 33 to play in the AM role he used to. Same thing happens for a lot of similarly athletic CAM/CM players as they get older.

Somebodys pinched my sombrero wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 8:41 am

Wish Diame would show that every game. Drove forward strongly every time he got the ball.

jpg wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2019 10:52 am

I suppose our run had to come to an end at some point.

Pretty uneventful game despite the two goals. We looked much better in the second half. Never a penalty for their second - although I think that's karma for the Burnley game where they should have been awarded a pen for Ritchie's challenge.

The whole team looked quite sluggish, it's arguable that three games in a week took its toll on the players. The three at the back seemed to have been more a hinderance to the midfield where we got crowded out every time we got the ball. Almiron had an OK game; I thought he could have held onto the ball for longer to try and stretch their defence when on the counter. Rondon physicality actually suited their powerful defenders. Diame made an impact - hopefully he can match his form from this time last season. Fingers crossed that Longstaff injury isn't too serious.

Hopefully the lads can shake this one off, got some trickier fixtures coming up - I'd take 3 points from the next 3 games.

Captain Obvious wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 02, 2019 11:27 pm

We were better in the second half when Diame came on. I'd like to see Diame and Jonjo back for the next game.

thedeludedfannymagnet2 wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:30 pm

Never at the races really, a lot of backward and sideways passes. Testimony to their closing down and marking

Donkey Toon wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:28 pm

Fair result, we were poor today. Everybody seemed off the pace for some reason.

Bodacious Benny wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:29 pm

Donkey Toon wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 02, 2019 7:28 pm

Fair result, we were poor today. Everybody seemed off the pace for some reason. Hopefully we'll bounce back because that was out of character compared to our recent performances.

I don’t think anyone played particularly well today. Rondon had a couple of decent efforts but we created very little. Thought Diame made a difference when he came on, not much else.