| Starting 11 08:47 - Aug 13 with 2673 views | DJR |
It is extraordinary that the starting 11 for our two first games has consisted only of players who played last season. as was the case with the two players (Jackson and Harness) who made the greatest impact when they came on yesterday.
I can't believe that there have been many occasions where a newly promoted team didn't feature new players in their opening games, so to have got the results we have is astonishing. Of course, it's early days yet, but it does suggest to me to how good McKenna is because he appears to have assembled a squad not just for League 1 but also for the Championship, even before any additions.
Indeed, one area which has been particularly pleasing (and where I thought we might struggle) is our attacking ability, given the chances we have created in the last two games even without having as much of the ball as the opposition. [Post edited 13 Aug 2023 8:48]
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| Starting 11 on 09:45 - Aug 13 with 2438 views | wkj |
Im still shocked that Janoi Donacien and Kayden Jackson are still with us. Not a slight on them but rather how badly JD was messed about and how infrequent KJ has featured as a town player. JD has been a professional in his first two games this season and KJ's off the ball work was exactly what we needed to put the game to bed yesterday.
Honourable mention to Wolfenden as well who is the other surviving member from the Hurst era. All three players have been subject to immense scrutiny over the years
Funny old game when yesterdays villains become tomorrow's heroes [Post edited 13 Aug 2023 9:49]
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| Starting 11 on 10:17 - Aug 13 with 2335 views | Darth_Koont |
Agreed and that’s a reason to be confident now but perhaps be a little wary of how the season will pan out.
In the Championship, a strong team unit has always been superior to a looser collection of 11 talented individuals. Stoke were clearly the latter — good players but not a good team (so far anyway).
Playing the same team as last year will suit us over the first month or two as other teams go through the infamous gelling phase. And I expect we’ll face stiffer opposition later on and have our own teething problems if and when we bring in a couple of new faces.
Having said that, we seem committed to seeing how far the core squad can go with players who are drilled in McKenna’s approach. And it certainly looks like a strong, sustainable strategy when players on the fringe like Jackson, Harness and Donacien can come in and perform so ably. Also perhaps why newer players like Hutchinson and Taylor have looked less impressive as they’re just not up to speed yet.
So even if the competition start to sort themselves out, I’m still pretty confident that we will challenge the top 10 and be in the play-off hunt on the basis of our underlying strength and togetherness as a team with a clear playing approach. And if we can follow our flying start with a great run then who knows? |  |
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| Starting 11 on 10:21 - Aug 13 with 2303 views | davblue |
| Starting 11 on 10:17 - Aug 13 by Darth_Koont |
Agreed and that’s a reason to be confident now but perhaps be a little wary of how the season will pan out.
In the Championship, a strong team unit has always been superior to a looser collection of 11 talented individuals. Stoke were clearly the latter — good players but not a good team (so far anyway).
Playing the same team as last year will suit us over the first month or two as other teams go through the infamous gelling phase. And I expect we’ll face stiffer opposition later on and have our own teething problems if and when we bring in a couple of new faces.
Having said that, we seem committed to seeing how far the core squad can go with players who are drilled in McKenna’s approach. And it certainly looks like a strong, sustainable strategy when players on the fringe like Jackson, Harness and Donacien can come in and perform so ably. Also perhaps why newer players like Hutchinson and Taylor have looked less impressive as they’re just not up to speed yet.
So even if the competition start to sort themselves out, I’m still pretty confident that we will challenge the top 10 and be in the play-off hunt on the basis of our underlying strength and togetherness as a team with a clear playing approach. And if we can follow our flying start with a great run then who knows? |
There maybe some players who we get a really good season out of this season but may tail off in the coming years crest of a wave and all that can make some players play above their natural level.
Think we look short still, another 2 or 3 in the door who are starters would make me feel more confident about a top 6 push. |  | | |
| Starting 11 on 10:35 - Aug 13 with 2246 views | JDB23 |
I think it definitely helps that we are a cohesive unit with everyone knowing their roles and partnerships, we really need to make the most of that advantage while plenty of other clubs are getting up to speed after rebuilds.
We still need to bring in a bit more quality to see us through when we're in the thick of the season but the management team know that and I'm sure we'll see a few good additions over the next couple of weeks. |  | | |
| Starting 11 on 10:36 - Aug 13 with 2246 views | the_toff |
This is what people underestimate in my opinion. Engagement, motivation, togetherness, organisation and familiarity, momentum. They all go a long way, and clubs are too quick to twist on new signings all the time when the incremental ability is often pretty small. McKenna is working with and improving what he’s got and getting great results. There’s always going to be a case for upgrading, especially with younger players who he can develop further with higher ceilings, but I’m fine with us not rushing to rotate half the squad at the sight of promotion. We’re an incredibly well drilled machine and I think ours and Plymouths start shows you that we’ve come up from L1 very well equipped. It makes and will continue to make something of a mockery of the ‘but we only came 2nd in L1’ idiots. | | | |
| Starting 11 on 10:44 - Aug 13 with 2228 views | Dyland |
Our patterns, penetration and options when we're attacking are ridiculous, and shows, as if we needed reminding, that McKenna's signing (extension) was/is the most important of the summer. It was possibly a good time to play Stoke who are still getting to know each other, but apart from ten odd minutes at the start of the second half they were not really anywhere near the game.
Luongo... so good. Morsy too slow? Nah. We'll get found out when turned over in midfield a few times but let's concentrate on the positives. When we're in possession we are so dangerous. Even Chappers made some ball turnover tackles! Him and Nathan supporting their older and wiser partners behind them works just fine.
Wolfenden and Davis... er... fackin hell, ridiculously good.
It was a magical afternoon tbh, and aye I know I'm being a soppy tvat but there we go. Football eh. |  |
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| Starting 11 on 10:46 - Aug 13 with 2199 views | Dyland |
| Starting 11 on 10:36 - Aug 13 by the_toff |
This is what people underestimate in my opinion. Engagement, motivation, togetherness, organisation and familiarity, momentum. They all go a long way, and clubs are too quick to twist on new signings all the time when the incremental ability is often pretty small. McKenna is working with and improving what he’s got and getting great results. There’s always going to be a case for upgrading, especially with younger players who he can develop further with higher ceilings, but I’m fine with us not rushing to rotate half the squad at the sight of promotion. We’re an incredibly well drilled machine and I think ours and Plymouths start shows you that we’ve come up from L1 very well equipped. It makes and will continue to make something of a mockery of the ‘but we only came 2nd in L1’ idiots. |
Innit.
Also let's not underestimate our final 14 game run. Yeh yeh, it was the third division but by all metrics we were ridiculously good, something evidenced by the 12 for none against against the four nearest competitors. Posh and Tykes especially, were bossed by this side. | |
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| Starting 11 on 10:50 - Aug 13 with 2152 views | Darth_Koont |
| Starting 11 on 10:21 - Aug 13 by davblue |
There maybe some players who we get a really good season out of this season but may tail off in the coming years crest of a wave and all that can make some players play above their natural level.
Think we look short still, another 2 or 3 in the door who are starters would make me feel more confident about a top 6 push. |
I don’t disagree but raises the issue of who we would drop and whether we want to disrupt what we’re already doing very well.
It’s a tricky call. Certainly if we’re talking starting players rather than signings like Taylor and Hutchinson who are understudies so far and can be eased in gently.
Rather than necessarily upgrading the current match squad, think we might look at it more from a squad level and replacing the players who we don’t really see as strong enough starters/competition for whatever reason. Edwards, Edmundson and Ladapo seem most on the cusp here even if they’d still do a decent job. | |
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| Starting 11 on 11:17 - Aug 13 with 1988 views | DJR |
| Starting 11 on 10:44 - Aug 13 by Dyland |
Our patterns, penetration and options when we're attacking are ridiculous, and shows, as if we needed reminding, that McKenna's signing (extension) was/is the most important of the summer. It was possibly a good time to play Stoke who are still getting to know each other, but apart from ten odd minutes at the start of the second half they were not really anywhere near the game.
Luongo... so good. Morsy too slow? Nah. We'll get found out when turned over in midfield a few times but let's concentrate on the positives. When we're in possession we are so dangerous. Even Chappers made some ball turnover tackles! Him and Nathan supporting their older and wiser partners behind them works just fine.
Wolfenden and Davis... er... fackin hell, ridiculously good.
It was a magical afternoon tbh, and aye I know I'm being a soppy tvat but there we go. Football eh. |
I totally agree about it being a magical afternoon, something we haven't had in the Championship for some time. | | | |
| Deffo got some dust in my eye later on on 11:22 - Aug 13 with 1962 views | Dyland |
| Starting 11 on 11:17 - Aug 13 by DJR |
I totally agree about it being a magical afternoon, something we haven't had in the Championship for some time. |
Sad eh :)
I was so pleased for Jackson. Never let his head drop whilst in and out of the team, largely out under McKenna. Just gets on with it, and strives to improve. Him and Harness saw us over the line against some very decent Stoke players. | |
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| Deffo got some dust in my eye later on on 11:29 - Aug 13 with 1910 views | DJR |
| Deffo got some dust in my eye later on on 11:22 - Aug 13 by Dyland |
Sad eh :)
I was so pleased for Jackson. Never let his head drop whilst in and out of the team, largely out under McKenna. Just gets on with it, and strives to improve. Him and Harness saw us over the line against some very decent Stoke players. |
I've been a supporter of Jackson for a long time, and happily go along with the banter I get from my mates about it. And yesterday shows why Harness has been brought on as substitute in a lot of our key games in recent times (Derby, Bolton, Peterborough, Barnsley). [Post edited 13 Aug 2023 11:30]
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| Deffo got some dust in my eye later on on 11:37 - Aug 13 with 1864 views | wkj |
| Deffo got some dust in my eye later on on 11:29 - Aug 13 by DJR |
I've been a supporter of Jackson for a long time, and happily go along with the banter I get from my mates about it. And yesterday shows why Harness has been brought on as substitute in a lot of our key games in recent times (Derby, Bolton, Peterborough, Barnsley). [Post edited 13 Aug 2023 11:30]
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I like Jackson and respect him a lot. What doesn't help is that we really paid over the odds for him, but that's hardly his fault. If we go up and we score a few then his transfer fee will have been well and truly compensated. | |
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| Starting 11 on 12:27 - Aug 13 with 1711 views | davblue |
| Starting 11 on 10:50 - Aug 13 by Darth_Koont |
I don’t disagree but raises the issue of who we would drop and whether we want to disrupt what we’re already doing very well.
It’s a tricky call. Certainly if we’re talking starting players rather than signings like Taylor and Hutchinson who are understudies so far and can be eased in gently.
Rather than necessarily upgrading the current match squad, think we might look at it more from a squad level and replacing the players who we don’t really see as strong enough starters/competition for whatever reason. Edwards, Edmundson and Ladapo seem most on the cusp here even if they’d still do a decent job. |
Yeah agreed to a certain extent, can’t rest on our laurels though either
Got to strive to improve every window if we can.
Really promising start but teams will start to work on plans to disrupt our flow if they can. Still think mid table is more likely in the end but with a fair wind we could make the play offs l.
I said to my mrs yesterday this season is the 1st time I’ve ever truly been tempted by a season ticket (I live 3 hours away) it’s so enjoyable to watch and I suspect we need to enjoy McKenna whilst he’s here as he isn’t going to be here for long. | | | |
| Starting 11 on 12:33 - Aug 13 with 1684 views | Swansea_Blue |
Must admit, I thought we’d look to strengthen in a couple of areas and that we’d also need to. We may still of course. The other aspect to this is that if we’re up near the top come January we may then look to improve to have a real go at it (much as we did last Jan). There’s a lot of football between now and then though. |  |
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| Starting 11 on 12:56 - Aug 13 with 1603 views | pointofblue |
| Starting 11 on 10:44 - Aug 13 by Dyland |
Our patterns, penetration and options when we're attacking are ridiculous, and shows, as if we needed reminding, that McKenna's signing (extension) was/is the most important of the summer. It was possibly a good time to play Stoke who are still getting to know each other, but apart from ten odd minutes at the start of the second half they were not really anywhere near the game.
Luongo... so good. Morsy too slow? Nah. We'll get found out when turned over in midfield a few times but let's concentrate on the positives. When we're in possession we are so dangerous. Even Chappers made some ball turnover tackles! Him and Nathan supporting their older and wiser partners behind them works just fine.
Wolfenden and Davis... er... fackin hell, ridiculously good.
It was a magical afternoon tbh, and aye I know I'm being a soppy tvat but there we go. Football eh. |
Have to admit I felt really emotional at times during the game yesterday. Last week was a bit of rollercoaster which a Stoke fan accurately summed up as ‘crap and dangerous’. Yesterday was class and control from minute one.
During the Middlesbrough draw, which was Klug’s last game in charge, the fans sung “We’ve got our Ipswich back”. Five years later and it’s finally true in the second tier. | |
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| Starting 11 on 13:01 - Aug 13 with 1570 views | LankHenners |
The best managers are always able to get the best out of the individuals they have and make the whole team play better than the sum of its parts which is what McKenna is doing here so far, and he's going to have to keep doing it if we want a 'successful' season by whatever we ultimately judge 'success' by.
There is something to be said for team chemistry and knowing each other on the pitch and as personalities off it which has probably helped us adjust to the level in the first couple of games.
Has to be said though (despite people on here not liking it being said for some reason) that one of the main reasons we're still playing with almost all players that were here last year is because we've not managed to land the targets we wanted.
Still don't think the squad is there yet and whilst they played well in the short time they were on the pitch yesterday, I wouldn't be particularly confident about having to have Harness and Jackson in from the start playing 70-odd minutes. Speaks volumes of McKenna's ability to read a game and make tactical adjustments to utilise limited players, imo, effectively. |  |
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| Starting 11 on 13:18 - Aug 13 with 1485 views | the_toff |
| Starting 11 on 10:46 - Aug 13 by Dyland |
Innit.
Also let's not underestimate our final 14 game run. Yeh yeh, it was the third division but by all metrics we were ridiculously good, something evidenced by the 12 for none against against the four nearest competitors. Posh and Tykes especially, were bossed by this side. |
Quite right.
It’s funny I was chatting to my Geordie mate the other day, there’s a lot of parallels between the clubs if you ignore the nature of the owners. Mike Ashley is their Evans, the stuff he was describing about the links in the community, the state of St James park and years of under investment etc. Chalk & cheese now and I couldn’t help but think there’s a lot in common. Not least a bright young manager who of course has spent money, but is also improving what he’s got. I can’t imagine too many other top 4 clubs would be bringing Josh Murphy and Sean Longstaff off the bench regularly, but they know their roles, they’re impactful and super well organised, play some lovely stuff and giving a Villa side who ended last season very strongly a right tonking. It’s not about big signing after big signing, Howe has said he wants the right people as well as the right player, there for the right reasons. I think it’s a sensible approach. | | | |
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