I thought we were pretty fortunate to get a point overall, but Hughton will need time - new manager, new players who need to get used to each other and a way of playing. I’m not overly concerned.
I’ve criticized Yates but he was very good overall - he just needs a little more dynamism in his game. I actually think Sammy Ameobi is criminally underrated on here. Generally he makes everything happen. It won’t always come off, but it’s the sign of an important player when I want the ball to go to him.
Lolley struggling a little but he never seems to have much space to work with and Christie doesn’t offer what Cash did as a wider option to give the defender something to think about.
I actually thought Derby looked good and I was nervous everytime they went forward. Figuerido and Mckenna were fine but I’m not yet feeling assured.
Ioannou did some superb defending and then some conference level passing, so I cannot make my mind up on him. Samba was very good for us, but I thought both of our strikers looked incredibly labored and limited. No energy or tenacity to hold it up, which you desperately need when playing both of them leaves that midfield gap that we sacrificed.
Knockhart looks a player and we all knew that. He emphasized the importance of getting it, driving forward and making the pass or cross. We were too pedestrian for much of the game and Hughton needs to get flair players like him, Ameobi, Freeman and the strikers moving and playing with more intensity.
If we can find away to incorporate Freeman, Knockhart and the moment, Ameobi and remain defensively sound, then there’s every reason to believe that Hughton can get us playing. His record suggests he’ll do just that.
