[Imre varadi]

i bet it was peiowl hes not been around and hes a knobhead 

[Maddix]

Let's stop this sombre mood how good is it to see Noblot 10 points clear at the bottom with 10 games to go ?

WTF is Mudyorka when you need him ?

[Towinjustonce]

Good to see we got a draw. Interesting to see how Matias played and good Hutch lasted the game.

[consilio]

A very good point. We deserved all three.

Westwood 7

Palmer 7
Lees 7
Loovens 7
Bennett 7

Lee 6
Hutchinson 7
Bannan 8
Matias 6

Joao 6
Hooper 6

We did well. Lee played down the right and Matias on the left. Bannan and Hutch controlled midfield and they have to play together every game. Unfortunately that may mean Lee is left out. Loovens returned and looked solid and the full backs played with energy and drive. Joao was hit and miss and Hooper lacked service but we looked the more dangerous side and never looked like losing.

We missed a creative spark (FF) but in my opinion deserved to win.

We have 5 very winnable games and are still well in the mix. FF will be a huge boost and should come back rested and firing on all cylinders.

Looking forward to Saturday.

[Jacko The Flopsy Piglet]

Pleased with the point. Seems like a carbon copy of the game at Hillsborough earlier this season. Other results mostly went our way so can't be too displeased with last night's work.

Looks like this season might go down to the wire for a lot of teams. Not sure I can take the strain but at least it's better than fighting relegation!

[Statesideowl]

Tress will be a tough one now, they've finally stopped being shit

[peiowl]

Rinse your mouth imre. I'm in effing Mexico. Wouldn't want to be anywhere neat Brighton. When are we going to score a goal? Are we totally dependent on FF? Looks like it.

[madsteve]

Stabilised - Now Time to Attack Again

I said we needed seven wins last week and we may still do but results elsewhere make our point last night look like a good one.

As CC does for tough away matches, he made several changes, bringing in Palmer, Loovens, Bennett, Hutchinson, Matias & Joao. Pretty much all these changes strengthened the side from Saturday and with FF back on Saturday, we can look forward optimistically.

He started with Lee & Matias on the wings in a 442. We completed the first job of stopping Brighton very effectively with Loovens outstanding. Palmer created our best chance with a barnstorming run and cross but no-one got on the end of it.

The second half was better with Wednesday making all the best moves. We switched to a 4321 with Lee more central and Matias floating. Matias looked lively until he ran out of gas. Bannan, Hutchinson and Lee took control of CM while the back four looked secure.

Westwood - 6 - little to do
Palmer - 8 - quality defensively and going forward
Lees - 7 - solid as always
Loovens - 8 - excellent captain's performance
Bennett - 7 - slotted in seamlessly
Matias - 7 - could be our secret weapon in run in
Hutchinson - 7 - makes a big difference
Bannan - 8 - looks better with Hutch at his side
Lee - 6 - lost on wing but better second half
Hooper - 6 - less effective without FF
Joao - 6 - limited chances, silly yellow card
................................................................
Nuhiu - 6
Wallace - 6

Stat Attack:

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Touches: 83 - Bannan, 59 - Westwood, 54 - Loovens, 53 - Bennett, 48 - Lees, 45 - Palmer, Lee, 42 - Hutchinson, 33 - Joao, 31 - Hooper, 28 - Matias, 14 - Nuhiu, 6 - Wallace,

Tackles: 6 - Lee, 4 - Bennett, Hutchinson, 3 - Loovens, 2 - Palmer, 1 - Bannan, Matias, Joao, Hooper,

Interceptions: 5 - Lees, 3 - Bennett, Bannan, 2 - Loovens, Matias, 1 - Lee, Hutchinson

Clearances: 8 - Loovens, Lees, 3 - Palmer, Bennett, Joao, 2 - Matias, 1 - Westwood, Lee, Hutchinson, Hooper, Nuhiu

Attempts: 3 - Matias, 2 - Bannan, 1 - Lees, Lee

Attempts On Target: 2 - Bannan

Key Passes: 2 - Bennett, Hooper, 1 - Bannan

Dribbles: 1 - Bennett, Hooper

Dispossessed: 3 - Matias, 1 - Bennett, Lee, Hutchinson, Joao, Hooper

Bad Control: 8 - Joao, 3 - Lee, 1 - Bennett, Hutchinson, Bannan, Matias, Hooper, Nuhiu

Crosses (Accurate in brackets): 12 - Bannan (3), 4 - Palmer (0), Wallace (1), 1 - Bennett (0), Matias (0)

Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):

Wallace - 100% (2)
Matias - 93% (14)
Hutchinson 88% (32)
Bennett 84% (38)
Loovens 80% (40)
Bannan 78% (60)
Hooper 77% (26)
Lees 76% (33)
Palmer 69% (35)
Lee 68% (31)
Joao 65% (17)
Westwood 43% (41)
Nuhiu 36% (11)

We move on with increased optimism. Our run in starts on Saturday.

[Maddix]

Wouldn't mind seeing Matias, FF and Hooper as a front three the opposition's defenders would have to be subbed due to dizziness

We'd just have to make sure the full backs know that they are not going to win any hoofs into the box

[madsteve]

Wouldn't mind seeing Matias, FF and Hooper as a front three   the opposition's defenders would have to be subbed due to dizziness  

We'd just have to make sure the full backs know that they are not going to win any hoofs into the box  

I think the issues with this front three surround height.

As you already mention, we are unlikely to win high balls hoofed into the box. It also gives our defenders no "out ball" when they are under pressure. Additionally, it makes us vulnerable in the air, facing set pieces as we won't have enough tall players to mark opposition players.

Think Joao or Nuhiu is the better option up top as both FF & Hooper seem to play better when one of them is on the pitch.