MATCHWATCH : Bristol City (h)

[Snowflake Royal]

At goal kicks Swift was often advanced well up the pitch almost in a centre forward position when we really needed him a lot deeper to play the Lewis Baker role and pick the ball up off the centre backs. He did it on occasions but nowhere near enough.

The defending was unbelievably bad. I need to see the second goal again because it looked like two unmarked players on our back post. Why was no one marking them? Basic stuff and worrying.
I would go with Morrison and TMac at centre back v Coventry, We really need a specialist left back too. I would prefer a back four as I don’t want to see Yiadom as an apparent wing back because it simply does not work.

Pauno is also not exempt from criticism. We will both remember Birmingham at home last season. Last night was like that. It’s not good enough for the team to start so poorly against teams in dire form. He must have them motivated from the start.

Rino and Laurent should be more than enough to pick the ball off defence. They should then be looking for balls in to each other, Yiadom, McIntyre, Bristow, Azeez and Swift or Joao. Swift has no business dropping deeper than the centre circle to receive the ball from CBs.

Swift was well beyond the centre half a lot of times. Neither Rino nor Laurent were actually picking the ball up from the CB’s. Neither are particularly good passers. There was also a lack of movement and as a team we are hopelessly slow at shifting the ball, There were times when Bristow was in acres of space down our left flank but he was either ignored or the passing was so laboured that by the time he received the ball space had been closed down.

It was very noticeable last night that Swift was the only one capable of passing the ball forward accurately and effectively.

Don't agree they're not good passers. Rino isn't a great technician or great inventive passer, but his strength was always keeping it simple and positive.

Laurent more expansive but similar.

And they're both really good at shielding the ball and breaking forward at pace.

They should be the start of most attacks imo.

[Zip]

Rino and Laurent should be more than enough to pick the ball off defence. They should then be looking for balls in to each other, Yiadom, McIntyre, Bristow, Azeez and Swift or Joao. Swift has no business dropping deeper than the centre circle to receive the ball from CBs.

Swift was well beyond the centre half a lot of times. Neither Rino nor Laurent were actually picking the ball up from the CB’s. Neither are particularly good passers. There was also a lack of movement and as a team we are hopelessly slow at shifting the ball, There were times when Bristow was in acres of space down our left flank but he was either ignored or the passing was so laboured that by the time he received the ball space had been closed down.

It was very noticeable last night that Swift was the only one capable of passing the ball forward accurately and effectively.

Don't agree they're not good passers. Rino isn't a great technician or great inventive passer, but his strength was always keeping it simple and positive.

Laurent more expansive but similar.

And they're both really good at shielding the ball and breaking forward at pace.

They should be the start of most attacks imo.

Laurent is good at driving forward with the ball. Rino is an average passer. Neither were dropping back to collect the ball off the CB’s

[Snowflake Royal]

Swift was well beyond the centre half a lot of times. Neither Rino nor Laurent were actually picking the ball up from the CB’s. Neither are particularly good passers. There was also a lack of movement and as a team we are hopelessly slow at shifting the ball, There were times when Bristow was in acres of space down our left flank but he was either ignored or the passing was so laboured that by the time he received the ball space had been closed down.

It was very noticeable last night that Swift was the only one capable of passing the ball forward accurately and effectively.

Don't agree they're not good passers. Rino isn't a great technician or great inventive passer, but his strength was always keeping it simple and positive.

Laurent more expansive but similar.

And they're both really good at shielding the ball and breaking forward at pace.

They should be the start of most attacks imo.

Laurent is good at driving forward with the ball. Rino is an average passer. Neither were dropping back to collect the ball off the CB’s

oxf*rd bullshit tactics.

[Zip]

Don't agree they're not good passers. Rino isn't a great technician or great inventive passer, but his strength was always keeping it simple and positive.

Laurent more expansive but similar.

And they're both really good at shielding the ball and breaking forward at pace.

They should be the start of most attacks imo.

Laurent is good at driving forward with the ball. Rino is an average passer. Neither were dropping back to collect the ball off the CB’s

oxf*rd bullshit tactics.

Just looked at their goals. All three involved City players winning headers from which they went in to score. We lost the aerial battle big time last night. Holmes needs to come into the side as at least he is decent in the air.