[Terrier1987cas]

2 clean sheets in 2 games for Powell (from open play at least, a thirty yard screamer & a rush of blood to the head for Smith are hardly defensive calamities). The defence is definitely improved - whether that's down to Powell, Hudson, or more likely a combination of both I don't care, but we no longer look like gifting the opposition chances (Coady giving the ball away in a stupid position aside). Hudson and Lynch were outstanding and hopefully Lynch is okay so they can continue to build what looks like a great partnership (still early days mind). Peltier and Coady did their jobs well, but unfortunately their job is to sit so deep that it creates a monumental gap between our front line and everyone else. The plan is obviously to be compact and tough to beat, but so far it's been counter-productive in negating any threat we might have - the only good moments going forward yesterday came from a bit of direct running by Scannell who put 3 very dangerous balls into the box that couldn't be converted. The most worrying things is that our 2 most dangerous players (Wells and Butterfield) are completely redundant in the system we're playing - Wells is awful when it comes to holding the ball up and battling with defenders which is what's needed, and Butterfield isn't getting the ball to feet in the final 3rd which is what he's good at. Have a go at Stead all you want but he's more effective at the minute than Wells by a distance, he's poor yes but he put in another massive shift last night and caused their defence more problems than Wells did. Now if we had someone good enough to win more headers and physically compete with defences at this level, this direct football might work with Wells getting on the end of whatever they make happen. Unfortunately I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay to watch it given how tedious and pre-historic this Chris Powell 'style' of football is.