Last night

First away match this season for me - really good night and great to see 1800 of us making it down.

I see there's already some doom & gloom going around... and indeed we were pretty dire last night.

However the run we've been on has flattered to deceive. We've a bunch of youngsters pressuring the opposition who aren't consistently playmaking while Bamba/Silvestri have won us the points in pretty much every one of the recent wins.

The new formation still doesn't solve the issue of not having any wingers. Both their goals came from the flanks and we were torn apart all night. That I don't have a problem with - especially with Byram injured so we didn't have a natural outlet / anyone to track back.
But for 90% of the match, we looked like we had no game plan. We kept giving it to Sloth/Cook/Mowatt who repeatedly ran into two opposition players and passed sideways. Austin was totally ineffective. Morrison barely got a touch and kept drifting out wide - he's the best option we've got but we definitely need better. We're in desperate need of a real number 10, two wingers, and some bite in the middle...

I do believe Redders is the man to steady the ship, but I worry his lack of tactical nous will see us struggle for promotion next season.
And Salerno really needs to up his game when it comes to signings. The only one since Cellino arrived to be worthy of the shirt is Bamba, and that signing was a no brainer.

Unsettling times but not all doom & gloom. When you watch your team get bent over like that, you really can see who stands out.
Silvestri is a brilliant shot-stopper - the triple save at the end..!! If he can work on his handling/communication then we could have a great keeper on our hands.
Bamba's a beast. Sign him up. Did lose concentration at times though and we'd have had a better chance for both goals if either CB had pace. Wooton, Cooper & Taylor all looked composed but exposed.
Murphy is the only player in the middle constantly trying to get on the ball and dictate the game. I've been vocally anti-Murphy but he's really impressing now, though agree with those saying that the formation we play will dictate his effectiveness.
Antenucci scares opposition defences. He may waste chances, but him coming on was the first time we put them on the back foot, and he nearly got Doukara a goal with a lovely back-heel. I'd give him a run, maybe even in more of a number 10 role.

Anyway... as Cellino says 'we've qualified for the Championship 2016(!!!)' but we've a long way to go - the premier league is a long way off but at least we're not fuming at having actually bought a ticket now!
MOT