15 Aug 2018 11:16:24
FIRST POST

Last night brought around a lot of positives. Bamford appears willing to emulate the workload currently being provided by Roofe. Took his goal well and potentially provides a more physical presence as the No. 9

Harrison is a similar player to Alioski, except he has the pace and ability to beat a man (at least the Bolton ones) . However his decision making like Alioski's was questionable at times, so Alioski should be keeping his place for now.

Saiz once again dictated the final third of our game, I just worry as with last season that we begin to over rely on him. If he was to get injured GOD FORBID who would play the No. 10?

Shackleton put in a great shift at right back, willing to run the line. Has exciting pace and his tackling was brilliant, would definitely be able to cover the role of Phillips (who again played out of his skin) .

Jansson, defensively for me was sound, but like Cooper if we are to pass it out of the back. It might be best to keep this more simple, as giving the ball away when the fullbacks are pushed up makes for worrying viewership!

Ayling slotted in well at centre back, Pearce had a reasonably quiet game and unfortunately for him I don't see much game time ahead of Douglas.

Blackman looked more comfortable on the ball than BPF, which I'd imagine will impress Bielsa however he had a dodgy moment with a shot from distance sooooo again he will need a BPF dip in form to get a place in the first 11.

HOWEVER the highlight of the game was Baker, he played the role which Klich has mantled in the opening fixtures and he brought the energy too. His bursting run brought about the second goal and in general he was popping up all over the pitch for tackles and to receive the ball. A very good option indeed and in my opinion probably the player closest to the starting 11 due to his flexibility.

The game as a whole was well controlled much like the first two, really we should have scored at least 3 for the third consecutive game. But it's nice to see how playing against a negative team will affect our ability to create. which last night it did not! Rotherham will most likely set up quite deep themselves, so it was a good test. There goal was a great finish with a hint of luck, then apart from that their chances came from a goalkeeping error and a 60 yard wonder pass. Which won't give me sleepless nights.

A solid 7/ 10 performance, the tactics were implemented again and I'd be surprised if we drop points against Rotherham this weekend. MOT!

1.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 12:26:03
great first post, agree with most (I can never praise Phillips) but agree baker was a real postivie last night, lad looked class.

2.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 13:47:11
I've been saying that this role really suits him he has been up and down Berm .
I just hope that the staff remind him each game to be sensible in tackles.

3.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 13:55:28
Good post sherburn. Nice to see that there are lots of options. My worries too about Saiz, would be good to have a game without him to try some other ideas, perhaps the next league cup game?

4.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 14:36:24
I love Phillips

Ok that’s out there

He’s the water carrier, the dog of war.

Admire his positional sense and his sacrifice for the greater good. Always looked best as a cdm and it was odd TC pushed him on when we had Samu that does that sooooo much better.

Phillips is the glue that holds the midfield together and allows Klich, Saiz, Hernandez and Alioski to interchange.

5.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 14:44:21
BERMONDSEY: Myself personally, I've never seen much of a technically gifted footballer in Phillips and that's what the fans like to see.

But he is very much our Kante at the minute, his 'never give up' attitude in the lower part of the pitch is allowing the forward players to be forwards. I've even been impressed with a lot of his distribution when winning these first and second balls, again the worry is that he could pick up a red playing like this.

Historically though, if a team is near the top of the league, the refereeing decisions follow suit.

SPANISH: With the Saiz conundrum, I was stood at the ground last night wondering why we didn't pick up Oztumer (their No. 7) he is very much like Saiz but obviously not on that level. But he was a free agent, would have suited the style of play and was a straight swap in the No.10 role. I've seen a lot of people mention Maddison over the weeks and obviously Vydra didn't work out.

Bielsa has said that there is two in every position, I just don't know who the second person is. I don't see any of the development squad stepping in to that role, maybe Shackleton could do it? The only one I'm seeing based on last nights performance is that Baker could be asked to play there.

Later in the season when the legs start to catch up, there is also the possibility that Hernandez could be used centrally as a substitute if one of Harrison or Roberts etc. nails down a starting spot.

6.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 15:39:38
Pablo.

7.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 16:01:50
I think Forshaw will replace Phillips at some point once he’s fit, Baker and Klich can replace Saiz if needed as can Hernandez with Harrison or Shackleton taking his place on the wing.

I can see a burnout come towards the end of the season and during the Xmas period, my only thought is we will be so far ahead it won’t effect us 😁😁.

8.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 16:38:13
I have to say after being no big fan of Phillips last season, he has started well and he was for me impressive last night. It's very early days, but things are very encouraging.

9.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 17:11:25
Welcome Sherburn, are you sure you aren't Samo in disguise? He likes to pen novels also.

10.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 17:36:13
Welcome aboard sherburn,

11.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 17:55:25
Interesting summarry Sherurn, and welcome. Kal totally deserved his MOTM recognition, and he's actually improved every game so far IMO!

12.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 17:57:36
I think Phillips will keep his place as Forshaw was playing the Klich role in preseason.

13.) 15 Aug 2018
15 Aug 2018 20:20:29
Phillips deserves his place, he's been superb so far this season imo.

14.) 16 Aug 2018
16 Aug 2018 08:12:10
i think short term Pablo or baker could fill in for Saiz maybe even Roberts who has something about him I think (and hope) . I also forget about forshaw who I love

know I bang on about phillips but for me he is never mobile enough to play middle of the park, doesn't like a battle (millwall midfeild will out play and murder him) and I am always waiting for a red card and or mistake leading to goal. first game against stoke i thouhgt he was a joke, that said even I have to admit he looked better against a poor derby and bolton, test for me will be against the better teams and more physical teams. gutted sampdoria wanted viera and not phillips and think that is part of my upset as well as loved viera even though his form was patchy

said before as a souf london football fan i have to hate at least one player to keep me sane, even in the good o'leary team i didn't like o'leary or hearte so maybe I am just never happy?

15.) 16 Aug 2018
16 Aug 2018 08:45:43
Worrying about not having cover for saiz, for me you have 5/ 6/ 7 players who could play there. Roberts, baker, kalv, Klich, Forshaw, and Roofe. Pick of the bunch would have to be klich though as if you played him, you could put Forshaw in his role, which would be stronger than Roberts and klich imo. None of these options are as good as saiz obviously but that's why they don't play there and he does, but i'd say they're adequate

RE phillips, most developed player under bielsa imo, shining around better players. do think we need to be careful about this goalkeeping situation though, I expect a clean sheet on Saturday with bpf, jansson, and cooper all looking likely to start.

16.) 16 Aug 2018
16 Aug 2018 16:56:38
Pontus looked a bit rusty against Bolton, do you really think he'll start? Can't see it myself but if Bub says yes, who am I to argue? :)