[St Charles Owl]

Would have preferred a home draw but that's not a bad draw.

[Statesideowl]

Not too bad really.

[consilio]

One of those league cup games that won't stick around in the memory for too long. Job done and into the next round. Newcastle away will be a good trip.

We controlled the game throughout and with a goalscorer would have won it comfortably.

Another clean sheet builds confidence and a couple of fringe players got a decent run out.

Helen and Sasso were our best players and the latter is looking a very decent signing.

Kieran Lee looks a better player under CC and he also had a good game. Nuhiu got his first goal and that will help his confidence.

Matias and Sougou added pace and energy off the bench.

Unfortunately, Lavery was awful again. We need to get him out on loan ASAP.

[madsteve]

Job done

This was a professional job achieved with the minimum of fuss. While 13 SBC sides have already perished, we take our place in Round Three after beating a team that knocked four past Brentford in Round One.

It was not good enough for some fans, who demanded that we thump the ball forward but CC is slowly moving us forward into a passing team.

We dominated for most of the match and should have won by a larger margin although the goal was scrappy with Nuhiu possibly fouling the keeper and handling the ball before heading it in. Nuhiu missed two other easy chances (one comically) as our need for a quality striker was woefully exposed. No idea if Bus or May could do the job but Lavery was poor again.

Lees had an early header blocked on the line and Matias had a header brilliantly saved. Helan looked quality again, looking much improved under CC while Lee & Semedo controlled the midfield. In the final third, Wallace only offered a flittering threat while Nuhiu & Lavery were inept.

Price - 6
Hunt - 6
Lees - 6
Sasso - 7
Helan - 7
Lee - 7
Semedo - 7
Lopez - 6
Wallace - 6
Nuhiu - 5
Lavery - 5
...........................
Matias - 6
Sougou - 6

It will be a bumpy ride but with a decent striker, we can certainly contest for a Playoff place. We have scored in all six matches so far, kept two clean sheets, winning three, drawing two & losing one. We need to improve and Boro will be a tough test on Saturday but with patience, application and a new striker, we can get there.

[peiowl]

Well, I guess I'm the odd one out yet again. I listened to the game, wasn't able to watch for obvious reasons so I have to defer to consilio and others for a more analytical wrap up.

Imo, from what I heard, it was a pathetic performance by a Championship side that has spent millions on players against a small, L2 outfit. We should have buried them, or shown grace and left the scoreline somewhere around the 4-0 mark. As it was, we hung on for a narrow 1-0 win using first string players.

In a game where CC had the golden opportunity to shuffle the deck and give May, who has had zero game time so far, the niod, he stuck with the hapless Nuhiu. Like his predecessor, he has nuhiuitis. Try saying that. I couldn't care less if the goal gives nuhiu confidence. It's not all about him. May's confidence will be shattered.

I'm glad that I have other things to do sat. I think Boro will muller us.

Now, a torrent of he's at it again, complaining about nuhiu.

[Thurnscoe_OWL]

I didn't watch or listen pei so your opinion is more valuable than mine re last night

Nuhiu recently has been very poor. You could always rely on him to chase and hassle defenders but he seems to have stopped this. I'd play Bus/joao on rotation

[Owlkev71]

6 games in and CC has used 22 players so far, unless your name is May.

[madsteve]

Well, I guess I'm the odd one out yet again. I listened to the game, wasn't able to watch for obvious reasons so I have to defer to consilio and others for a more analytical wrap up.

Imo, from what I heard, it was a pathetic performance by a Championship side that has spent millions on players against a small, L2 outfit. We should have buried them, or shown grace and left the scoreline somewhere around the 4-0 mark. As it was, we hung on for a narrow 1-0 win using first string players.

In a game where CC had the golden opportunity to shuffle the deck and give May, who has had zero game time so far, the niod, he stuck with the hapless Nuhiu. Like his predecessor, he has nuhiuitis. Try saying that. I couldn't care less if the goal gives nuhiu confidence. It's not all about him. May's confidence will be shattered.

I'm glad that I have other things to do sat. I think Boro will muller us.

Now, a torrent of he's at it again, complaining about nuhiu.

There is little disputing that Nuhiu isn't up to the standard that we require. Bus might be. May might be. I guess we probably won't find out. Joao looks to be a real prospect but needs to be introduced gradually. I wouldn't start him on Saturday.

Oxford were unbeaten this season and thrashed Brentford away in the last round. With a clinical striker in place of Nuhiu, we could have won by three or four goals and everyone would be happy. 

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http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-wed...-1-7428502

[consilio]

Why play May? What's the point when CC clearly doesn't see him as part of his plans.

Lavery has had two chances now and failed miserably on both occasions against L2 opposition. He probably won't get another.

[madsteve]

Why play May?  What's the point when CC clearly doesn't see him as part of his plans.  

Lavery has had two chances now and failed miserably on both occasions against L2 opposition.  He probably won't get another.

Agree.

While I think May might be good enough, clearly CC doesn't. I doubt that he thinks Nuhiu is good enough either but he thinks he can do a job for now.