Rotherham United (h): What 3 Things Did We Learn?
- Thread starter Jules
- Start date
NottyImp
Vital Football Legend
1) The full squad is not as unbalanced as I - and some others - may have assumed. Injuries and suspensions have played a part in that and it has also helped finding Connelly's true position as CB, where he has been a revelation. The lad surely has a decent career ahead in that position.
2) Akinde can still "Do a job". When on his game, he can be a real handful and his penalties are usually worth a goal. Last night he gave the Rotherham defence a lot to think about and was often marked by 3 players. We have other players in the squad that can exploit the space that creates.
3) Things are starting to take shape. Appleton correctly said that this would take some time, but I would say he is on schedule. performances are improving from both individuals and from the team as a whole. The totally weird schedule and the fact we have played so many top teams hasn't helped, but we're getting through it reasonable competently.
2) Akinde can still "Do a job". When on his game, he can be a real handful and his penalties are usually worth a goal. Last night he gave the Rotherham defence a lot to think about and was often marked by 3 players. We have other players in the squad that can exploit the space that creates.
3) Things are starting to take shape. Appleton correctly said that this would take some time, but I would say he is on schedule. performances are improving from both individuals and from the team as a whole. The totally weird schedule and the fact we have played so many top teams hasn't helped, but we're getting through it reasonable competently.
Impala
Vital Squad Member
1. Great to see John Akinde amongst the goals, but we're not seeing goals coming from anyone other than him or Tyler Walker. We would have hoped for a bigger return from our attacking midfielders, but other than early season spurts by Harry Anderson and Bruno Andrade, very little since.
Hopefully Frecks and Tom Pett can help here when they get up to speed?
2. Harry Anderson at full back/wing back? Maybe. Looked the part in the first 20 minutes going forward. In the second half he was caught out big time defensively once or twice, and also seemed to forget when he lost the ball there was no one behind him. He'll learn if this is something we're going to try in the future, and good to experiment in this particular competition.
Early days, but an important position for MA and interesting watching how the full backs pushed up the pitch way beyond the defensive midfielders when we get a goal kick.
3. Beginning to see some welcome competition for places, particularly at the back. Would be difficult to leave out Callum Connolly after the last two games - both against weakened sides but facing some tricky attackers. Last night he showed great grit, skill and leadership capabilities. Credit to him after looking a bit lost in midfield during September.
Meanwhile Ellis Chapman is making a good case for a run in the side in midfield, and Grant Smith once again could not be faulted last night.
Hopefully Frecks and Tom Pett can help here when they get up to speed?
2. Harry Anderson at full back/wing back? Maybe. Looked the part in the first 20 minutes going forward. In the second half he was caught out big time defensively once or twice, and also seemed to forget when he lost the ball there was no one behind him. He'll learn if this is something we're going to try in the future, and good to experiment in this particular competition.
Early days, but an important position for MA and interesting watching how the full backs pushed up the pitch way beyond the defensive midfielders when we get a goal kick.
3. Beginning to see some welcome competition for places, particularly at the back. Would be difficult to leave out Callum Connolly after the last two games - both against weakened sides but facing some tricky attackers. Last night he showed great grit, skill and leadership capabilities. Credit to him after looking a bit lost in midfield during September.
Meanwhile Ellis Chapman is making a good case for a run in the side in midfield, and Grant Smith once again could not be faulted last night.
