Yesterday, the Hawthorns was the perfect test for us. A tough game against a big hoofy side who beat us last season, with our former stars failing to shine.
I got a lucky break with a power cut in NZ after 20 minutes, so I went to bed.
I have just watched the second half and as bad as the game was, you could see us growing in confidence and we had chances to score.
The defence improved, especially in the last quarter, and they will go into the Wednesday game with a lot more confidence.
I think Aaronson deserves a start in place of Piroe. He might provide the creative spark we need to play through the channels.
We had a few situations where we were let down by poor passing or ball control. The players know they are better than this. We do look like a Championship team, but that may not be a bad thing, as it takes away some of the arrogance of believing we are too good for this league.
If we can reset from here, we may look back on this result as an important turning point in our season.
Reset
posted on 19/8/24
Yes I quite agree Farky and with the supposed 4 new players we are after, even though most of us think we need 6, but 4 is better than nothing especially if we manage to keep Gnonto who I think is pivotal to our chances of promotion as he will only get better, then we
should at least be up there challenging in the top 6.
If one of those 4 new signings is a marquee signing
such as Jack Clarke or Rowe then even better but my gut
feeling is the 4 new players will be Jaidon Anthony loan,
an EPL left back loan, Benson from Burnley if we don't get Clarke or Rowe plus I think the 4th new signing will be the Serbian midfielder Lubijic.
We are also linked with an unknown Swedish centre forward, Erabi but unless we off load Piroe or Bamford I just can't see that materialising so not much to get particularly excited about but I think we should have a strong enough first 11 to at least make it to the January window where you never know the owners may actually be pro active for once and strengthen us enough to really make a serious effort at securing promotion.
posted on 19/8/24
Lubijic left out of squad yesterday. Could be an indication hes coming
posted on 19/8/24
In isolation not a bad point but I don't recall these scoring chances.
Phoney9ers have 11.5 days to save the season.
posted on 19/8/24
Three of our players (Piroe, Joseph and another - Gruev?) were highlighted at one point in the second half as having ridiculous stats for giving the ball away.
Piroe was something like 60-odd percent losing the ball.
We won't do well with that level of ball retention.
Additionally, Piroe has been the biggest disappointment I've seen -- he came with incredible goal scoring stats and has shown very little of those skills since arriving.
posted on 19/8/24
Jaidon Anthony? We're going nowhere with him, Aaronson, Bamford, Firpo. All too lightweight along with various other defects. Think we're struggling
posted on 19/8/24
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 4 hours, 44 minutes ago
In isolation not a bad point but I don't recall these scoring chances.
Phoney9ers have 11.5 days to save the season.
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Closest we went was with a couple of Struijk's headers, good to see us winning aerial battles against a big side...surprised Rodon isn't a huge threat given his height.
posted on 19/8/24
comment by LeedsFanFor50Years (U6871)
posted 7 hours, 7 minutes ago
Three of our players (Piroe, Joseph and another - Gruev?) were highlighted at one point in the second half as having ridiculous stats for giving the ball away.
Piroe was something like 60-odd percent losing the ball.
We won't do well with that level of ball retention.
Additionally, Piroe has been the biggest disappointment I've seen -- he came with incredible goal scoring stats and has shown very little of those skills since arriving.
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Piroe made a good start at the club & was combining very well with Rutter.
Since then Farke has gradually eroded his confidence & form. You don't go from scoring 40 in 2 seasons to the player he looks now without good reason. Farke has ruined him.
If we end up with a new coach I reckon Piroe would be like a new signing.