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West Bromwich Albion v Millwall
Carabao Cup 1
Tuesday 13th August 2019 20.00pm
Please use this board for all your After Match Debate. Away fans are reminded to abide by the site rules.
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West Bromwich Albion v Millwall
Carabao Cup 1
Tuesday 13th August 2019 20.00pm
Please use this board for all your In Game Chat. Opposition fans are reminded to abide by the site rules.
Please keep this board Albion related, there are boards elsewhere in General Sports to discuss other games
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West Bromwich Albion v Millwall
Carabao Cup 1
Tuesday 13th August 2019 20.00pm
Please use this board for all your Pre Match Chat. Opposition fans are reminded to abide by the site rules.
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West Bromwich Albion v Millwall
Carabao Cup 1
Tuesday 13th August 2019 20.00pm
PRICES
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Thursday morning update:
Smethwick: 2,099
West Stand: 2,575
Brummie Road: 7,872
East Stand: 6,175
Remaining: 18,721
As expected not going to be much of a crowd. 8,000 - 9,000 I'd guess.
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May well see a few more of the new signings blooded in this game. perhaps a debut for o'shea also
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A good chance for a "run out" of the new bods.
Also Bond can shine in goal.
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Finally going to get to a game, work and family limit my visits....really hoping Pereira gets a run out.
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This will be a tough game, they’ll be hard to break down and will offer a massive threat off crosses. Hopefully Bartley and ajayi play like last weekend. I’m going for 2-1 to us.
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Saturday morning update:
Smethwick: 1,884
West Stand: 2,407
Brummie Road: 7,569
East Stand: 5,953
Remaining: 17,803
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Good opportunity to see some if not all of the new lads. Would personally be tempted to change the entire starting XI to be honest.
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Good opportunity to see some if not all of the new lads. Would personally be tempted to change the entire starting XI to be honest.
I think we probably will change almost all. Ajayi or Bartley may play at the back (maybe a half each) as with Hegazi out we only have three available centre halves, unless you include Fitzwater who I don't think figures in Slav's plans.
I expect all the deadline signings to play with Austin probably lasting an hour and one of the others maybe subbed at the same time if he's likely to play at Luton.
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Hopefully we get a glimpse of at least 2 or 3 of the deadline day signings. It’s a good opportunity to give them some game time to get up to speed. You’d expect the majority of those who played yesterday to miss out but we’ll need either Ajayi or Bartley to play with O’Shea. I’d give Zohore another game too to try and get him going a bit.
Bond
Furlong
Ajayi
O’Shea
Townsend
Pereira
Harper
Brunt
Diangana
Austin
Zohore
Subs
Johnstone
Bartley
Ferguson
Sawyers
Willock
Burke
Robson-Kanu
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I think we may go:
Bond
Furlong Ajayi O'Shea Townsend
Bartley
Harper Brunt
Pereira Diangana Willock
Austin
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I think we may go:
Bond
Furlong Ajayi O'Shea Townsend
Bartley
Harper Brunt
Pereira Diangana Willock
Austin
Not sure we’ll have permission to stick 12 on the pitch!
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Not sure we’ll have permission to stick 12 on the pitch!
No, Bartley replacing Ajayi at half time. Or the other way round.
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Looking forward to seeing all the new lads.
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Dead certs:
Bond, Furlong, Townsend, Harper, Brunt and Pereira start.
Hopes:
Hope to see Diangana, O'Shea also in and Zohore given another chance to get off the mark. Also hope Austin gets 30 minutes.
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For me we should use this as an opportunity to see how Sawyer's and Harper do together in the middle. Two players who should work well together based on their styles. Sawyer's was getting annoyed with Livermore on Saturday he needs someone like Harper next to him. Sadly I think RS will be rested for Brunt.
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Don't understand why some people expect Austin to start. He didn't really have a pre season at Southampton and was banished to the U23s. I'd love to see him start but I can't see it. Like the post above I think he will get a run round for roughly thirty minutes just to help his fitness.
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Hard to predict what Bilic will do, but my own preference would be wholesale changes.
Bilic could very easily make 11 changes and still put out a strong side. He could play Bond, Furlong, O'Shea, Fitzwater, Townsend, Harper, Brunt and then 3 of Pereira, Willock, Diangana and Burke, with Austin or HRK up top.
What i expect through is a 442, with HRK partnering either Austin or Burke, and then a mix of players who played saturday partnering squad players.
Hoping to see Pereira, Austin and O'Shea the most, but would be good to see Willock and Diangana as well.
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For me we should use this as an opportunity to see how Sawyer's and Harper do together in the middle. Two players who should work well together based on their styles. Sawyer's was getting annoyed with Livermore on Saturday he needs someone like Harper next to him. Sadly I think RS will be rested for Brunt.
I didn't see him getting annoyed with Livermore who, I thought, played well.
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Don't understand why some people expect Austin to start. He didn't really have a pre season at Southampton and was banished to the U23s. I'd love to see him start but I can't see it. Like the post above I think he will get a run round for roughly thirty minutes just to help his fitness.
I’d hope Southampton's under 23s still train well and that Austin is a seasoned enough pro to keep himself in decent shape. No reason he shouldn’t manage 60 minutes.
For me, Despite the new signings, Burke has to start out wide too. Otherwise you have to wonder when else he will get a chance. Might be harsh but potential 90 minutes to see if he stays or goes on loan.
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I have a feeling HRK might get the nod over Austin, with Austin getting 30 mins here and then starting at the weekend.
I think we will line up something like:
Bond
Furlong
O'Shea
Bartley
Townsend
Brunt
Livermore
Diang/Periera
Willock
Periera/Burke
HRK
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I didn't see him getting annoyed with Livermore who, I thought, played well.
Totally agree, Livermore played well Saturday and I didn't see anything either. Livermore and Sawyers are the best 2 we have in there at least until Barry is up to full speed.
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I didn't see him getting annoyed with Livermore who, I thought, played well.
Swayers was definitely getting annoyed but I think it was more to do with those in front of him than Livermore. Good to see though, he clearly has vision, just needs those ahead to get on his wavelength.
Would hope to see Harper on Tuesday though, Livermore was ok on Saturday, but would hope he's not a long term fixture.
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Think it will be a mix of some of the new signings, couple of players who aint featured yet and then maybe 1/2 of the 'regulars'.
I would like to Ajayi have a game in midfield, rumoured to be his best position, although I would expect him to be rested.
Bond
Furlong
O'Shea
Bartley
Townsend
Brunt
Harper
Pereira/Diang
Burke
Willock
HRK
I think the starting team wont be far off this, with Austin coming on after about 55/60.
Bench of:
Johnstone, Ferguson, Ajayi, Tulloch, Livermore, Austin, Pereira/Diang
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What would be the reason to not start Austin..??...Didn't he have a full pre-season with Southampton?
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What would be the reason to not start Austin..??...Didn't he have a full pre-season with Southampton?
I would hope that he starts Austin provided he is fit. He needs to get up and running ASAP and this may be an invaluable opportunity for him to do so.
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I would hope that he starts Austin provided he is fit. He needs to get up and running ASAP and this may be an invaluable opportunity for him to do so.
I only ask as I see a lot of people saying that they don't think Billic will start him.
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I've got my tickets - as long as the newbies start then I'll be happy.
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I've got my tickets - as long as the newbies start then I'll be happy.
Me too bud....haven'y been for quite a while so really looking forward to it...really hoping we see Pereira...he looks some player!!
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Think it will be a mix of some of the new signings, couple of players who aint featured yet and then maybe 1/2 of the 'regulars'.
I would like to Ajayi have a game in midfield, rumoured to be his best position, although I would expect him to be rested.
Bond
Furlong
O'Shea
Bartley
Townsend
Brunt
Harper
Pereira/Diang
Burke
Willock
HRK
I think the starting team wont be far off this, with Austin coming on after about 55/60.
Bench of:
Johnstone, Ferguson, Ajayi, Tulloch, Livermore, Austin, Pereira/Diang
Rumoured by who? I think we are well endowed in midfield for choices, and think Ajayi has added alot of power and height to the defence in the last 2 games.
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Rumoured by who? I think we are well endowed in midfield for choices, and think Ajayi has added alot of power and height to the defence in the last 2 games.
Rotherham supporters who've seen him play both positions.
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Rotherham supporters who've seen him play both positions.
Didn't he spend most of last season in midfield?
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Didn't he spend most of last season in midfield?
Just means that with Krovinovic, Sawyers, Livermore, Harper, Barry and Brunt as potential midfield, I don't know where he fits in. Whereas in central defence we only have Bartley and Hegazi, and maybe OHare.
As a defender he's peformed well in the 2 games, and he adds some pace to our defence that's been badly lacking in recent years.
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Didn't he spend most of last season in midfield?
From memory when he signed I think it was 24 games at CB and 22 games as a DM in the League.
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Going off Bilic's comments about the fitness of the new lads, I would be surprised to see them all start.
I think Austin will be on the bench at best, he seems key to our goalscoring going forward so I cant see us risking him early on if he's not 100% up to speed.
I imagine Diang will start, and one of Willock/Pereira will start with the other being on the bench.
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For what is worth here's my runners and riders
Bond
Furlong
Bartley
O'Shea
Townsend
Harper
Brunt
KANU
Diangana
Burke
Austin
Sub's, Johnston, Ajayi Livermore, Fitzwater, Zohore Willock Perriera
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I assume that Diangana is allowed to play by West Ham? I suspect that SB will field a strong side and look to try out some of the new guys but also I think he’s going to take this competition seriously
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No point going into too much detail for this game, plenty of seats left in all areas of the ground.
Approx. 8,500 sold so far.
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Going to get my ticket once I get up there tomorrow - will make a rare appearance in the East Stand for a different view.
Will be interesting to see the new boys in action.
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;D Read that Luke Steele may play in goal for Millwall....another lad we let go who was a decent keeper.Lets hope he doesn't put in a big performance.
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We could change whole team but we shouldn't.
Bond should get his go
Furlong also
Can we afford to play our only 2 senior cbs? Chance for O'Shea. Gibbs Injury record rest?
Need to get minutes into pereria and diang. Also Austin. Arguably we need to keep playing Zohore and hope he bags a goal and finds some confidence.
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Whatever team we put out should be too strong to not get a result against these.
I hope he plays all the new lads
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If Milwall do rest players, we really beat them tonight as we have so much strength in depth compared.
Matt Smith, who scored against us at the weekend should start. He is a brummie so it will likely mean more to him to get a goal against us which might raise his performance levels.
Other than that, i'd be disappointed if after 2 games vs Milwall at home, we couldn't find enough to get a win.
Really excited to see Pereira.
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I just wanted to say that I'll be there tonight and really looking forward to hopefully seeing some, if not all, the new guys turn out in the stripes
COYB
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This match is a serious test for Slaven Bilic. Who has learnt most from last Saturday's encounter, Slaven or Neil Harris?
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This match is a serious test for Slaven Bilic. Who has learnt most from last Saturday's encounter, Slaven or Neil Harris?
How relevant is this though? Given that I expect there to be less than 6 people on the pitch tonight who played on Saturday.
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For me Zohore needs to play. Desperately needs a goal, and or ,a kick up the backside. I have seem him live three times now, and acknowledging that it's early days yet, I have seen nothing to suggest he is going to be prolific, or even energetic. Come on Kenneth pull your finger out.
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How relevant is this though? Given that I expect there to be less than 6 people on the pitch tonight who played on Saturday.
Well there's still a tactical as well as the personnel side to a game of football and in what position you trial players and how you tell them to play vis a vis the opposition's tactics might be influenced by how the other side set up last time you met. Of course you can't do anything about the refereeing.
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Last year, our youth cup games were dominated by the use of academy players, with Field, Leko, Edwards, Harper and Howkins all getting game time.
It will be interesting to see how many kids get a chance today. Apart from O'Shea and Harper, i'm not sure who else would get a chance. Feels like we have too many wingers waiting for a gamr to see Tulloch play. Fitzwater the only other possibility.
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Bond
Furlong
O'Shea
Ajayi
Townsend
Brunt
Harper
Burke
Edwards
Diangana
Austin
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Biggest take away from that is the fact Hal Robson-Kanu hasn't made the 18. Could be injured, but if not, bad news for him you feel. Thought he had a good chance of playing this one.
Pleased for Edwards, albeit surprised as I thought Pereira or Willock would start. Hope both come off the bench.
Good management as well to give Burke a chance ahead of the others as it shows everyone they need to fight for a place (albeit it does show just how many wingers we have at the club).
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Biggest take away from that is the fact Hal Robson-Kanu hasn't made the 18. Could be injured, but if not, bad news for him you feel. Thought he had a good chance of playing this one.
Pleased for Edwards, albeit surprised as I thought Pereira or Willock would start. Hope both come off the bench.
Good management as well to give Burke a chance ahead of the others as it shows everyone they need to fight for a place (albeit it does show just how many wingers we have at the club).
It's a very good opportunity for Burke. He needs to impose himself on the game as I feel he gets lost in games but hopefully he can take this opportunity.
HRK, hopefully he's not injured and it's just to the fact that he's a cack footballer. ;D
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According to my Millwall mate they have made 8 changes and 3 debutantes.
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It's a very good opportunity for Burke. He needs to impose himself on the game as I feel he gets lost in games but hopefully he can take this opportunity.
HRK, hopefully he's not injured and it's just to the fact that he's a cack footballer. ;D
Think its about the Last chance saloon for Burke. Given the competition he's got.
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Austin will last 60 minutes or thereabouts before he's blowing so surprised Zohore isn't even on the bench.
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We will win comfortably tonight.
My prediction is that our second string isn't a million miles from the quality of our first team, but their secondly string is significantly weaker than their first team, thus leading to a big difference in the ability of the two sides.
3-0 Albion. Austin FGS
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Austin will last 60 minutes or thereabouts before he's blowing so surprised Zohore isn't even on the bench.
Willock will be his replacement if needed I think.
Is it extra time?
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Willock will be his replacement if needed I think.
Is it extra time?
Pens on 90 if level.
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What do we think the formation is there guys?
442? If it's 4231 i'm wondering who the number 10 is...
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Surprised to have no strikers in the bench. Soule really needs o be loaned out this month if he can't make a bench in the league cuo. Shame to waste him as he seems to score enough to justify a look in.
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What do we think the formation is there guys?
442? If it's 4231 i'm wondering who the number 10 is...
It will either be 442 or 4411 I reckon.
Burke will be playing fairly central like he did pre season.
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4231 I think. Can’t see why Bilic wouldn’t want the new lads in our likely first choice system.
Burke Diangana and Edwards could be in any order, possibly interchanging. Pereira and Willock could also replace any one of them or Austin, depending who is blowing, struggling or playing well.
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Surprised Edward's is starting. Thought he tired towards the end of Saturdays game (unsurprisingly) so thought he might be rested.
Big game for Burke though
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Here we go, lads.
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goal Austin
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We appear to be playing 4231, Austin up front with support from all 3 wingers.
Great play by Edwards and Diangana give Austin an easy debut goal.
Brunt and Ajayi great so far.
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well come to the baggies Charlie
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Debut goal
First of many I’m sure
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nice to see Bond getting a chance
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CHARLIE CHARLIE CHARLIE.
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Diangana broke, moved it forward to Edwards who skipped past his man with ease, but put in a poor cross. They didn't clear and Diangana's shot must have moved in the air as Steele made a mess of it, parrying it in to bar for Austin to nod home.
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Looks like Charlie is a bit of a handful. ;D
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Hitting Milwall on the break at the moment. Diangana's defensive work allows Edwards to stay up more and he is breaking at every opportunity.
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We appear to be playing 4231, Austin up front with support from all 3 wingers.
Great play by Edwards and Diangana give Austin an easy debut goal.
Brunt and Ajayi great so far.
He makes it look easy, as seen with Zohore though it's not always easy. That is why Austin is a poacher.
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i'd like to see Edwards take then om more, we should be running at there back instead of trying to put to many cross's into the box
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>:( >:( >:( >:( >:( free goal
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Easy goal. Queuing up to head it in. Where were the defence?
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brunt goal dissaload :o
the chap on the score board is has slow has our defence it took him 5 mins to change the score back to 1-1
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Just watched the replay on sky sports news. Terrible marking. >:(
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Shocking defending for their goal . Totally free player , possibly two , in the 6 yard box.
Can we never keep a clean sheet. >:(
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Awful defending, can't blame Johnstone or Bartley either. Looked like Townsend who left him.
Looks like set pieces could be our Achilles heel. Playing well though and creating chances, still think we'll win it.
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Just watched the replay on sky sports news. Terrible marking. >:(
How was Bonds positining Droitwich
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Bond pulls of a truely world class save to deny Milwall from 25 yards.
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he's just pulled of a double save for us
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From what I remember, he was in the middle of his goal, but as they "queued up, it was directed away from him. No chance for Bond. Defence a shambles.
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Milwall having free headers in our box. Somebody needs to take control there.
We look a bit hell shocked.
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O'Shea with a last ditch tackle to stop a chance you fancy Milwall to score. Resulting corner again not dealt with well.
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Second corner again finds two Milwall heads before being cleared in our 6 yard box. Poor from Albion.
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From what I remember, he was in the middle of his goal, but as they "queued up, it was directed away from him. No chance for Bond. Defence a shambles.
cheers mukka
looks like these cross's will kill us >:(
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We have gone int our shell since they scored, Lets get to half time and regroup.
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Thought Harper playing
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Yes. Number 16
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Has i hadn't heard his name i thought i missed him being subbed
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Decent start but dropped off badly after the equaliser with the defence and midfield poor.
Some of our back up players are just not that great.
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We need to install a killer instinct into this squad to fond of tacking there foot of the gas & just start sitting back to deep
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Has i hadn't heard his name i thought i missed him being subbed
Really seems to be going backwards as a player.
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In control and playing well until their goal, then fell apart and scraped through to halftime. Put it down to inexperience and new players. Bilic needs to regroup and settle them down otherwise a second Milwall goal is inevitable.
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HT. Good start but undone by poor set piece defending. Hard to say who is at fault from where I am, but would hope Ajayi anf O'Shea could replicate their decent ground defending for when the ball is in the air. Possibly doesn't help Furlong being quite small as well. Could be an Achilles heel this season.
Second half, I would look to take off Burke early, who just can't get in the game (a loan move is needed to league 1 or to Aberdeen/Hibernian would be my suggestion). Pereira or Willock could come on and hopefully give us more of a threat - my choice would be Pereira.
At some stage, I would also consider swapping one of the centre mods for Sawyers if we don't start brightly second half. Neither doing thay much wrong but I do look to centre mid when a side takes over and starts to get through you easily. We have nobody who puts a foot in, so the second best thing would be somebody who can control possession more.
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We were so good for 25 mins, Brunt running the game then they scored and took over. Set pieces killing us. Very impressed with Furlong, superb game so far...Burke looks lost...Ajayi very good, O'shea done ok too. Hoping to see Pereira 2nd half.
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Really seems to be going backwards as a player.
Just signed a new inproved contract to i belive,
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I wouldn't say Harpers done badly you just know he's capable of so much...just want him to grab the game by the balls and dictate....everything is passed sideways.
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Just signed a new inproved contract to i belive,
Wrong silly me he forgot to put his boots on.just putting them on now. :D
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Brighter start. Burke seems to have had a rocket as he is more involved now.
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O'Shea escapes his marker bit somehow heads wide in the 6 yard box.
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More s*** defending from a corner makes it 2-1 Milwall.
Bilic needs to make a sub or two now. A draw and a loss at home to Milwall would be very poor.
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looks like the squad depth isnt has strong has we thought
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Our defending of crosses and set pieces is shocking. Pathetic effort following on from the weekend.
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The captain on the pitch should be sorting this out.
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Millwalls 3 goals against us have all come from set piece's
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Absolute circus defending from set pieces. Millwall are utter dross, this week is getting a bit embarrassing as it stands.
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The captain on the pitch should be sorting this out.
whos captain Brunt?
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Charlie Austin makes way for Matheus Pereira, while Kyle Edwards is replaced by Filip Krovinović.
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whos captain Brunt?
Yup.
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Good workout for Charlie we cant beat game time in your legs.
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Goalscorer Aiden O'Brien is replaced by Mahlon Romeo.
Jayson Molumby comes off for Shaun Williams.
For them
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Who's up front now? Burke?
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Yup.
Watchout for Jacko mukka he'll be gunning for you. ;)
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Diangana's skill gets him away from his marker, Krov finds Furlong in space with a great pass and Furlong puts it in the perfect space between keeper and attacker but some how Diangana doesn't score.
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if after full time were drawing "if" is it extra time then pen's
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Diangana makes way for Romaine Sawyers.
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if after full time were drawing "if" is it extra time then pen's
no extra time. Right to penalties if drawing
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no extra time. Right to penalties if drawing
Cheers mukka
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Was Diannga injured?
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We have more possession but don't seem to do anything with it.
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15 minutes to do something.
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We have more possession but don't seem to do anything with it.
With burke upfront I'm not surprised.
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Bit of the "Premier league Mowbray" side about Bilic's Albion. Lots of the ball, lots of pretty passing, but little in the way of testing the goalkeeper.
Seem more interested in passing triangles than direct play.
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Why are we just relying on Burke up front?
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Burke has been an absolute waste of space. Almost like we're playing with 10.
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It seems (yet again) the opposition want it more than we do. :(
Edit...
We go a goal up and think the job is done, so go to sleep.
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Burke has been an absolute waste of space. Almost like we're playing with 10.
Sadly been like that in our two league games too, seems like he and the management don't know what to do with him on the pitch. It's his 5 manager now too :(
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No shots on target since the equaliser. Lots of pretty play but no cutting edge, same as Saturday. Worrying.
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We didn't really want to go on, did we? :P
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Knowing full well Austin wouldn't last 90min I can't understand why we didn't have Zohore or Kanu on the bench Burk just isn't up to it.
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Worrying. Very worrying.
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Oh well. Lessons being learned early.
This time last season we had 1 point in the league and won in the cup. This year 4 points and lost in the cup.
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Didn't really want to go on.
It's only the league cup.
Well, I think that was the attitude displayed unfortunately.
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Poor performance. We pass the ball well but that is it. 3 games, 4 goals - 3 were keeper error and 1 was an own goal.
Poor subs by Bilic, overloaded midfield with passing midfielders but no cutting edge.
Really lacking up front and worry we could be in for a frustrating season, being picked off on the counter and at set pieces.
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Worrying. Very worrying.
I didn't watch the game so I can't comment, but perhaps it's a good thing in the long-run. I know people love a good cup run but last season I thought it really harmed us in the league and I remember Brighton in particular made the players tired and it all seemed a waste of time at that point.
After playing Milwall twice in a row and losing 3-2 on aggregate, we now have a better picture of our strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully this week we will be working on more aggression with the ball as a result.
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My dreams for the season have been shattered already. Not really, but the sooner we are able to field a settled side the better.
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Once Pereira is up to spend I will be suprised if we see Burke in an Albion shirt again.
Complete waste of time having him on the pitch, has zero footballing brain.
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It’s a particular shame because with our supposedly good squad depth this season we could have probably done with the extra games.
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So after 3 hours football at home to Millwall, a team who avoided league 1 by 1 place, we draw 1-1 and lose 1-2. Millwall have no money and rely on picking up other teams cast offs for about £200k or frees.
I don't know about anyone else, I think the outcome is appalling and a disgrace. There are clearly serious issues there already. Nobody knows (with 9 incoming players) why the following have been retained; HRK, Burke, Livermore, Brunt and possibly Barry yet.
Millwall clearly wanted it more in both games and scored simple goals. Why didn't we pulverise them at 1-0? Where is the leadership? Just embarrassing.
Slaven is exonerated. It's up to the players to deliver. They lack aggression and personality and seem unable to be comfortable playing on the front foot.
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That's really poor. We've failed to beat a bog standard hoofball team after 2 attempts. We could do with playing a few footballing teams because we look really soft and are struggling to break down the deep defence at present.
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Take Austin out of this squad and we have no goals in us at all... Only positive tonight is that captain of the reserves won't be seen much now just a liability
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Worrying has to be the word. Lots of nice passing but very little threat at one end and a shambles at the other. They had 6 corners and could have scored from pretty much all of them. You just can't defend set pieces like the last two games and keep clean sheets, question is, do we have the firepower t outscore the opposition? I certainly hope so and thank God for Austin's goal, a few of the others need to start chipping in now though.
Only a Mickey mouse cup game and not a priority so, win at Luton and all will be forgiven, disappointing though.
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Didn't watch the game, but sounds like an early wake up call. If we've got problems in the scoring department, Burke sounds like the last person who is going to solve them. Also, what's going on in defence with all these goals conceded from set pieces?
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I think we've had a pretty decent window overall but the lack of decent striking options is worrying. We've had all summer to sort this out.
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I’m not going to jump off a cliff just yet I think a front line of Austin, Phillips & Edwards / Pereira has that quality in the final 3rd that we are really missing at the moment. My big worry is the depth behind those 3 though as we know Phillips will miss 30% of the season and we’l do well to keep Austin fit all year as well.
Thought it was a strange decision to not have Ken on the bench tonight Burke isn’t a striker in a million years (not much of a winger either). Move on but we need the new signings to bed in quickly, we really should be looking to pick up 3 points Saturday.
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Two performances against a stubborn Millwall team - both at home too - and we have looked really, really poor.
It is clear Burke cannot play upfront on his own, especially when playing against a team that sits in deep, when he is required to hold up the ball.
Suddenly, after dominating corners against Forest, we now can't defend one to save our lives. It's not like we're lacking the height in the team either.
Expecting much, much better against Luton on Saturday.
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Needs to stop zonal in corners. O Shea doesn’t look very tall for a cb :-X
Hope Austin wasn’t injured when he went off :o
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I think we've had a pretty decent window overall but the lack of decent striking options is worrying. We've had all summer to sort this out.
I’ve a bad feeling Gayle turning us down will haunt us. Only Charlie can save us.
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Looks like we will struggle for goals this season not a surprise when you take out 54 goals from last year. Austins not match fit so sensible to bring up to speed gradually but scratching head that either HRK or 8mill bloke wasn't on bench.
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Anyone know the attendance tonight?
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Anyone know the attendance tonight?
Ermmm. Burke didn't turn up.
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Ermmm. Burke didn't turn up.
Lol...very good
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Looks like we will struggle for goals this season not a surprise when you take out 54 goals from last year. Austins not match fit so sensible to bring up to speed gradually but scratching head that either HRK or 8mill bloke wasn't on bench.
we also need to tighten up at the back so we are less reliant on goals scored. we've kept 1 clean sheet in our last 10 competitive matches.
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I worry about the Luton game
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Poor performance, strange subs. I don't think any of those that started with the obvious exceptions of Edwards, Austin and Ajayi did anything to force themselves into the starting XI, was so one paced much like most of last season.
We move on and get the league form right.
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We're not gelling yet. Plenty of pretty passing and two touch football around the area but creating next to nothing and we have no-one that can cross a ball or shoot effectively from range. It's a little bit concerning but not majorly at this stage it's all going to take a little bit of time before everyone gets used to each other.
Defending from set pieces is as bad as I've ever seen it, that has to be a priority to put right.
Even I've given up on Oliver Burke after tonight. I keep waiting to see something but there's nothing there either up front or out wide.
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Ranked 13th for shots on target, just in the bottom half of the league. This is despite dominating possession. For those that are interested, or "expected goals" stats are also very poor so far.
Sums up how we have started life under Bilic.
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Ranked 13th for shots on target, just in the bottom half of the league. This is despite dominating possession. For those that are interested, or "expected goals" stats are also very poor so far.
Sums up how we have started life under Bilic.
Sums up why some of us were so desparate to hold onto Gayle. Still, I hope Austin can improve those stats a bit, but as Billic has said, it also needs the midfielders etc. to chip in with some goals.
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We're not gelling yet. Plenty of pretty passing and two touch football around the area but creating next to nothing and we have no-one that can cross a ball or shoot effectively from range. It's a little bit concerning but not majorly at this stage it's all going to take a little bit of time before everyone gets used to each other.
Defending from set pieces is as bad as I've ever seen it, that has to be a priority to put right.
Even I've given up on Oliver Burke after tonight. I keep waiting to see something but there's nothing there either up front or out wide.
We have the best crosser of a ball at the club wondering around aimlessly in the centre but even then we have no-one in the middle to aim any crosses at. As for the shooting at times its criminal from professional footballers, even in the warm up its shocking
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Not the best game but I am far from downhearted. Diangana was lively, Austin showed moments of real quality and Edwards again impressed.
Millwall defended well and kept a good shape - fair play to them.
The real worry is our defending from set-pieces - all 3 goals conceded this week have been from set-pieces and this needs to be a focus in training. Hegazi is hugely missed.
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We have the best crosser of a ball at the club wondering around aimlessly in the centre but even then we have no-one in the middle to aim any crosses at. As for the shooting at times its criminal from professional footballers, even in the warm up its shocking
I’d be very surprised to see Brunt anywhere near centre mid this season
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I’d be very surprised to see Brunt anywhere near centre mid this season
He should never have been near the centre from the start, one wonder ball last season is not enough from the number of times he's played there. His best asset is his crossing, he's wasted in the middle. He has to be either wide left or back up to Gibbs at left back which is where his best football has come in recent years.
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Very worrying for me , no midfield enforcer, pussycat tippy-tappy players recruited . Not what is required for this division. Very disappointed to see Field sent out on loan and Brunt still in there. Slaven why oh why are Brunt and Burke, on that pitch for 90 minutes? Bond a superb double save, but culpable for both goals. Going to Luton and fearing the worse. Any team "up for it" will beat this lot.
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We don't half have some pessimists on this board.
We haven't been able to play Slavens preferred strongest team yet for almost a whole game and when Burke is on the pitch it is like playing with 10 men unfortunately.
I think we might need to play two up top at home at times when we've got the opposition on the back foot but think our system will work perfectly fine away from home where there will be more gaps to exploit.
We beat Forest on their own patch who themselves went to Elland Road and got a hard fought point. Not many teams will do that. We've then played two games we completely dominated and took the lead in both only to give those leads away through poor set piece defending.
Remember Zohore missed from 6 yards in one of those games and Diangana missed a tap in today by failing to connect with the ball.
Have to say some of the mistakes Bond made tonight flapping for the ball Johnstone would of been absolutely crucified for.
Thought Furlong was very good tonight and has am excellent delivery. Think he will end up first choice right back in front of Ferguson by the end of the year or with them at least sharing that position.
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Sorry all
Could not care less
We have one aim this season, it is not the carabao tea pot
I’d like to add my two Penneth to what I see being stated on here and think the game time for the newbies was much more important than thevresult....besides there is probably more windows in tact than there was on Saturday?
Zohore, he didn’t cost 8m and whilst he hasn’t burst the net ...yet, we have
looked weaker in both games after he came off.
Against millwall, Bilic had to give the team that beat forest a chance, he also didn’t really have much of a bench ( he must take blame for that) because they said the new guys weren’t fully fit (they as pros must take blame for that)
It’s 1-1 not great but not the end of the world
Goals .... I keep reading that we don’t have fire power
Is there anyone on here that would actually be able to keep Austin/Diangana/Pereira/Phillips/Krovonavic/Edwards/Willock quiet?
That’s without Burke / Zohore and Hrk because people will just deride.....but all three can play football
We have cover everywhere, we have (or will have) a frightening amount of options from the bench, our squad is almost the Man City of the champ 😊
Bartley in a 2 works well and seems calm and confident this year, semi has settled, Ferguson is a great find, sawyers looks like he belongs etc etc...and hegazi to come back
If we are going to fail it will be between the sticks , I am NOT comparing to foster, I am NOT being unfair or making a scapegoat...quite simply our squad and fans deserve better ....please sign Vorm
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Take Austin out of this squad and we have no goals in us at all... Only positive tonight is that captain of the reserves won't be seen much now just a liability
Kyle Edwards, harper, Phillips, all have goals in them, to name but a few.
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Millwall had us sussed out by half time on Saturday and stuck to the same sort of game plan in the 135 minutes of football against us since. Fair play to them, they are extremely well organised but we should have enough brains and technical ability out there on the pitch to break down sides like that over that length of time. There will be plenty of sides in this division who will stick up a brick wall formation 30 yards from their goal and let us f**k about with it all afternoon and evening. We desperately need to be more incisive and at times much more direct. Furlong looked better at Right Back tonight than Ferguson did Saturday but he had the misfortune to have the clueless Burke up ahead of him every time he looked for an outlet. Burke just does not have a clue in any aspect of the game, he looks totally lost/disinterested or possibly both. I've never known a footballer so totally unaware of how to make runs, find space and look for the ball. Edwards seems more and more like a 45 minute man and that's your lot from him. I don't know whether that's down to fitness or if it's just the case of the opposition sussing him and shutting him out of games. Diangana looked lively for the first half hour before disappearing from the game, likewise Austin. Again, I hope that is just down to fitness. I wouldn't mind seeing us in a 4-4-2 from what I've seen in the first 3 games, that could help us in forcing the issue to be a bit more direct and getting the ball forward and out to the wide men earlier and more decisively. Both Austin and Zohore I think will be seen to better effect with an out and out strike partner alongside them.
On a side note, at least one Baggie had a good night....Abdulai Bell-Baggie scored for Weymouth away at Slough!
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Being unable to beat a limited but well organised Millwall team at home is not a good look. Yet I wouldn't read too much into it at this stage. We need more penetration but I think that will come as the team gels and the 3 players behind the striker start to move and interchange better.
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Was in bed early as had an early start today but shocked at the score.
I’m not going to read to much into it right now though as this team and the new players are yet to gel fully.
New manager. New signings it takes time for that to come together and a few more games and training sessions will see this team come to life. Of that I’m sure.
Let’s not get in the doldrums already
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We look pretty at times but fail to do the basics with any conviction.
We need players with conviction in the box to convert the crosses into goals.
Playing Burke up front isn't the answer.
I hope we're looking for another striker to come in in January and pay what we have to if we have any ambition.
Until then we need to maintain a top six place
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For the record:
Attendance: 10,704
Home: 10,316
Away: 388
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Anyone know the attendance tonight?
10,704
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Millwall defended well, good shape, stubborn - some of the comments about them, and we will get a lot of that this season, the division is full of well paid decent professionals which is as it should be, and we need to be patient and get momentum going, if we really have the quality we should be able to win enough games.
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What annoys me is the hardest thing to do against a resolute but limited team is to get the opening goal.
Everyone is missing the point in that the Mentality is missing. You have got to be motivated to put teams away like Man City do. Why oh why do we sit back at 1-0 when they are there for the taking. This is about ruthlessness andwabting to win well. Until this changes there will be problems.
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Millwall did a job on us and though we were pretty at times last night the 50/50 balls in the centre of the pitch they won. There set plays the delivery was better than ours and there players knew what they were doing whilst our players watched. Like I say pretty but no bite and no real control of the ball or a playmaker till Sawyers came on made his space and spraying the ball. Unfortunately at that point we did not have a CF on the pitch onwards to Luton
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I worry about the Luton game
I wrote elsewhere that the Millwall return match would demonstrate who out of Bilic and Harris reacted best to Saturday's draw.
Here comes another challenge to those on this site who blamed the ills and failings of Albion on Graeme Jones.
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Good grief! Shall we sack Bilic already? Pulis is still available, it seems many of you might be more comfortable with him.
We've had a large turnover of players, a new manager, playing a new system, and they're all getting used to one another. There were lots of passes last night that were just too much or just too short, because they still aren't used to the way each other move. There were players making their debuts after less than a week at the club!
There were two things from last night that need to go; the zonal marking, and Oliver Burke. Aside from that, it's just a matter of time. We need to gel, and as long as we can keep in touch with the pack for 10-12 games, we can grow into the season.
No need to panic after 1 defeat.
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Some bloody great managers on here I’m amazed some are not managing Barcelona,PSG and Manchester United.
New manager and nine new players - I’m not sure what you expect but totally unrealistic for everything to click into place after 3 games - we are in one of the most difficult leagues in world football not playing Football manager on the PC.
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Didn't go last night and have seen none of the highlights, but the two results against Milwall are quite concerning. We need to find our cutting edge and quickly.
It is still very early days though chaps, calm down.
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I'm not concerned-for the first match there were a number of players who will become regulars but were not played because they were so new and for the second match there were 2 players playing who will never get near the strongest 1st team-Burke and Brunt. Brunt is too slow in thought and deed now and even his set piece delivery skills seem to have deserted him. I suspect SB gave Burke the full 90 mins to give him a chance but he didn't take it. In the first half he was a passenger and in the second half he saw more of the ball but did nothing productive with it. I was impressed with the new signings and I'm sure they will soon gel.
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Despite the small crowd the Smethwick was pretty full last night and they decided to only staff one of the two 'bars' down below, master stroke by the powers that be
Lots of 'strangers' around, sussing the Smeth out I guess, but also choosing not to sit in their allocated seats
I'm also getting more than bit inebriated off about the large numbers of numpties choosing to stand in the central isle towards the back of the Smeth. A definite safety hazard as people legitimately there with seats at the back try to move up and down the aisle, stewards studiously ignoring it of course
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Disappointing to go out the cup, i always like a cup run and for some of these players they may not see much competitive game time until the FA cup in January.
Its still early days, and from the two home games we are very much a work in progress, i am sure Slav will be learning as he goes.
We are going to play plenty of teams who play like Millwall, especially at home, they are hard working, organised and who can nick a goal, they dont have the resources we do so they make the best of what they have got and do it very well.
At home we need to have a different approach, over two games we have been very predictable and other than the goals barely created a chance, that would be a concern, if your creating chances to miss then your half way there but as it stands we arent.
We play with wingers which is fine, we work the ball to them, but the problem is they are aiming for one man in the box (Zohore or Austin) we dont flood the box with players, so the ball in from the winger has has to be perfect because they are aiming for one man.
Away from home it works well because your often on the counter and attacking at speed, however from the last two home games and with Millwalls approach, by the time the ball gets to the winger they are all setup and just waiting to clear any crosses that come in.
I would look at playing a second striker and try and blitz teams, we have better attacking players than most teams in this league, lets exploit that. I do think we needed a Gayle type striker in the window, bit different to what we have, Austin is a goalscorer, he has that knack of been there, Zohore i think is going to be a target man and create for others, what we needed was the quick mobile striker, who gets defenders turning, whose movement creates spaces, especially when teams are camped in.
I dont know whether Burke could play that role, i have my doubts, and i dont know anything about Willock to whether he could but i imagine Slav will of picked up on the failings and rectifying them as we speak, its early days, its a lot of new players and i imagine he will know we need to play different at home.
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Last night,defending from dead ball is terrible,thats what cost us I don't think Slaven was bothered about this cup otherwise why leave Burke on for 90 mins he offers nothing his tactical awareness of the game is so poor,i and 10,000 others would have had him off at halftime even Kanu on the bench would have been better option.
All the new guys looked decent enough,but you can tip tap and have 90% possession and still lose off 2 set pieces,same as the Saturday game they played 10 behind the ball and played for set pieces.
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Pointless.
I haven't been to a cup game for many years and I won't until they take them seriously. I guess those days are long gone though.
:(
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Good grief! Shall we sack Bilic already? Pulis is still available, it seems many of you might be more comfortable with him.
We've had a large turnover of players, a new manager, playing a new system, and they're all getting used to one another. There were lots of passes last night that were just too much or just too short, because they still aren't used to the way each other move. There were players making their debuts after less than a week at the club!
There were two things from last night that need to go; the zonal marking, and Oliver Burke. Aside from that, it's just a matter of time. We need to gel, and as long as we can keep in touch with the pack for 10-12 games, we can grow into the season.
No need to panic after 1 defeat.
I 100% agree with this post
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Thought we played well over all apart from in the final 3rd where it counts. Our defending from set pieces was also poor.
Dara O'Shea looked assured and was winning most of his challenges, looks a good back up option. Thought Furlong looked okay and poor in equal measure, be nice if he could learn to cross rather than blasting it across the box, something to be worked on. Of the two I'd be playing Ferguson.
Townsend and Ajayi the pick of the defenders last night. Townsend seems to be learning from Gibbs as he attacked well.
Not his biggest fan but I thought Brunt had a decent game certainly in the 1st half, some good balls and kept us ticking over. Harper was anonymous first half. That was the sort of game I would have expected him to take by the scruff of the neck and be up and down in the middle but he wasn't , he was as much of a passenger as Burke. Sawyers did more in his cameo than Harper did in his 90+ mins.
The new players looked good and once they have bedded in we will have some really exciting attacking options from the bench.
Surprised that Zohore or even Robson Kanu weren't on the bench as we needed a proper striker once Austin has gone off.
Disappointing to lose but the signs of a decent side are there once the new players are up to speed.
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I'm not going to get too concerned yet as we need to be patient and allow the players time to gel.
Having said that, despite our very pretty possession, it is disappointing that we did not trouble the Milwall goalkeeper in either of our two games against them. They are a relatively poor outlet who defend extremely well.
I thought we had an excellent opening half an hour - Austin, Diangana and Kyle Edwards showed good signs of forming a good and capable partnership.
I thought we looked a bit knackered in the second half and the ball kept coming back onto us. Burke as a forward is laughable, he has no presence and next to no ability.
Disappointed to lose but not remotely arsed about the cup competition.
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Apologies in advance as I haven't read the whole thread but never mind lads (and passing lasses) we're still on for the double. Need to up the zip and tempo when moving forward in open play, switch on when defending set pieces and snap into tackles a bit quicker.
On a positive note I thought both full backs acquitted themselves quite well over the course of the game and O'Shea's play on the ground is quality. He's a good football player. If for whatever reason it doesn't work out for him at centre half I think he could go on to be a decent defensive midfielder.
Onto Luton away.
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Just watched the goals back on Quest.
Anyone got any idea what Ajayi's goal was disallowed for? I couldn't see anything wrong with it.
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Just watched the goals back on Quest.
Anyone got any idea what Ajayi's goal was disallowed for? I couldn't see anything wrong with it.
I believe.... Zohore was in an off side position when he passed the ball.
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I believe.... Zohore was in an off side position when he passed the ball.
That was the Krovinovic goal in the league game. I'm talking about Ajayi's header from Brunt's corner in the cup game.
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I believe.... Zohore was in an off side position when he passed the ball.
Wrong game that was Saturday, Zohore didn't even play the other night.
As for the Cup game I was told O'Shea held somebody as the ball came across.
Didn't see it though and the goal looked fine from where I was sat in the Halfords.
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Didn't the ball go out of play from the corner?
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Didn't the ball go out of play from the corner?
It must be that. I didn't see any contact between players at all.
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Didn't the ball go out of play from the corner?
someone told me that too outside after the game. Poor from Brunt if true.
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Disappointed the fact that both their goals came from set pieces, and that we again did not create any real chances from pretty decent possession,also after all of the kerfuffle from Harper about signing a new contract the lad needs to get his act together because to be quite honest he is going backwards and his game time will be severely reduced unless he sorts himself out, on the plus side the new guys perreira, and the west ham guy both looked pretty comfortable on the ball Austin did what Austin does, but we need to get more bodies in and around the box if we are going to get results especially at home, firing balls into the box is no good unless you have more than one body to get on the end of it.the only question I have really what is the point of oliver burke we paid a lot of money for him as a youngster and he has produced absolutely nothing.
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Didn't the ball go out of play from the corner?
I thought this at the time, but then the goalkeeper took the resulting freekick from near the penalty spot so must've been given for a foul? I didn't see one at the time and nothing on the replay either.
The referee should have clarified why he gave the foul as it was a crucial moment in the game, unless I missed it and he did?
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Good job it weren't a league game I'd be really miffed.
As it was the Carabao Cup it's meh!
The more I watch it the more I struggle to see anything wrong with that "goal". The ball definitely doesn't looked to have gone out of play and if there was a foul I can't find it from the TV pics, maybe a slight pull as the ball is kicked (O'Shea) is my best guess. Looks bloody harsh regardless:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU38SojbNQ0
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Didn't the ball go out of play from the corner?
Yes mate, The skipper could not keep the ball on the pitch, with his wand.
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To be honest, it took me about ten minutes to notice the goal was disallowed.
I was sat there thinking we was winning before the Mrs told me the scoreboard hadn't changed.
Had to look on Twitter to confirm.
Apparently there was a foul in the build up - although there was nobody within 5 yards of Ajayi !!
Made the stadium announcer look a right tit as he also announced that Ajayi had scored
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To be honest, it took me about ten minutes to notice the goal was disallowed.
I was sat there thinking we was winning before the Mrs told me the scoreboard hadn't changed.
Had to look on Twitter to confirm.
Apparently there was a foul in the build up - although there was nobody within 5 yards of Ajayi !!
Made the stadium announcer look a right tit as he also announced that Ajayi had scored
In fairness the scoreboard read 2-1 for a short while before changing back. Talking of the scoreboard Ferguson's name was spelt incorrectly when they flashed the subs up. Either that or he's changed his name to Furguson :-X .
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To be honest, it took me about ten minutes to notice the goal was disallowed.
I was sat there thinking we was winning before the Mrs told me the scoreboard hadn't changed.
Had to look on Twitter to confirm.
Apparently there was a foul in the build up - although there was nobody within 5 yards of Ajayi !!
Made the stadium announcer look a right tit as he also announced that Ajayi had scored
Harsh.
No-one saw anything wrong with goal so perfectly logical to announce it.
He should've announced "goal disallowed due to baffling decision by referee ....... answers on a postcard". I'd rate him for that. ;D
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There were comments on Twitter just after saying the ball had gone out of play, Matt Wilson in the E&S says it was down to Ajayi creating space for the goal illegally but i've just watched it 5 times and I still can't see anything wrong so will go down as one of lifes great mysterys ???
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Where is VAR when you want it?
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Where is VAR when you want it?
The referee signalled with a curved gesture that the ball had gone out of play.