| Well, I've come away from Portman Road pleased and frustrated in 19:08 - Dec 20 with 806 views | homer_123 |
equal measure this evening.
First half, was a disjointed and our passing was off, especially in the final third. For me, we looked like we struggled to find our game in that first half. I thought Sheff Wed defended well to be fair, they sat with 4 or 5 at the back but not especially low - and they were really, really quick to close down any space we had and when they pressed they pressed in twos and threes. A little bit of credit due there I think.
I would also say that when they won the ball, it was very much one/ two touch pass and looking at a really quick counter attack. On reflection, I would say, first half we were a tad 'one paced' in comparison. It was also clear that they were going to give Jaden and Egeli zero time at all.
Now, all that being said. Kipre's bullet header, hit the post and missed a couple of other good chances. So, oddly, we could have easily been 2 or 3 to the good in the first half, when we were far from 'clicking'.
A really, really odd first half.
Second half - chalk and cheese I felt. We were much better with the ball. We used it far, far better - we had a change of pace with the ball. We'd slow it down, then look to move it much more quickly. A lot of that was to do with the fact we had more movement off the ball, so we had more passing lane options to utilise. That second half performance with the ball was really good at times. In fact, some it was really good to watch.
But here is the frustration - how many opportunities did we miss? I've said it before and others have mentioned it as well.
Profligate
Two observations here. Hirst was off the pitch (hope it isn't anything serious), so for all the talk of wanting him to start contributing more as a goal scorer - today really illustrated our achilles heel. We need to be better, much better at putting the ball in the onion bag. 3.03XG today, I think, 20 shots at goal, 8 on target. We should have been 4 or 5 to the good before Wednesday scored.
My second observation is McAteer - I could be wrong but he had two good chances both saved by the keeper. My point is this....at least his were on target. Clarke, Nunez, Jaden and I think Egeli all had as good a scoring opportunities today and all completely missed the target. I felt for McAteer to be honest, the lad needs a goal for sure but I thought he did well when he came on. And was no worse in front of goal than any other player today.
On the one hand, we missed a shed load of opportunities today and that's really quite frustrating as we really did create some really good scoring opportunities and that first half was an odd performance. That said, we created a tonne of really good scoring opportunities, even in that bizarre first half. The second half was a really good half, some really good football, down both flanks.
A shout out to Matsi today (again), just a really, really good performance and a few lovely passes as well.
Cajuste, he's going to be an enigma isn't he [sigh]. Again, flashes of brilliance today and his contribution to Jaden's goal was beautiful to watch. I want him, so badly, to take a game by the scruff of its neck like Magilton used to do and just boss the game. He's got the ability to do it.
Nunez, I've talked before about the fact I felt that the CAM role is one we are stuggling with. Well, Nunez is beginning to nail that position. I love his reading of the game as much as anything - he's often a pass or two or a passage of play or two ahead of others.
Kipre, he looks our best defender at the moment, by far. Lovely header.
Finally, Clarke and McAteer both deserve a mention as I thought they both played well when coming on - it is a ridiculous bench we have to be fair.
An oddly frustrating but ultimately pleasing match today. 3-1 home win, we would have taken that at the start. Credit to Wednesday, who I don't think are the worst team in this division, for never stopping.
Should have had a hatful today but 3pts, we're in third and now it's the festive rush of matches! [Post edited 20 Dec 19:15]
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| Well, I've come away from Portman Road pleased and frustrated in on 20:31 - Dec 20 with 636 views | PhilsAngels |
Couldn't say it better, in fact I couldn't. Totally agree with your thoughts |  | | |
| Well, I've come away from Portman Road pleased and frustrated in on 20:48 - Dec 20 with 581 views | ArnieM |
Good piece homer thanks, and tbh agree with all of it...and its how I feel about us too.
But this..... you've stated...is us most of this season ... why do we not turn up until the second half, and often not really until those 70min subs come on? Its bizarre, AND so frustrating!
"Second half - chalk and cheese I felt. We were much better with the ball. We used it far, far better - we had a change of pace with the ball. We'd slow it down, then look to move it much more quickly. A lot of that was to do with the fact we had more movement off the ball, so we had more passing lane options to utilise. That second half performance with the ball was really good at times. In fact, some it was really good to watch.
But here is the frustration - how many opportunities did we miss? I've said it before and others have mentioned it as well." [Post edited 20 Dec 20:48]
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| Well, I've come away from Portman Road pleased and frustrated in on 20:50 - Dec 20 with 570 views | dryas |
I was there with my son for the first time in a couple of years - he has a 100% win rate so far! I agree with most of that assessment. Stand out players for me were Nunez, Kipre and Matusiwa (who was everywhere ) and then Clarke when he came on - a breath of fresh air and energy.
I wish we didn't play it around at the back so much - we were better at it two seasons ago and today it kept leading to us being under pressure from quite a poor Wednesday team. |  | | |
| Well, I've come away from Portman Road pleased and frustrated in on 22:22 - Dec 20 with 462 views | pointofblue |
Just found time to login but you've said much of what I was going to say.
My concern is we still have periods in games where we look like a bunch of individuals. I understand it takes time to gel but I think this excuse is starting to run thin now. We're at Christmas and McKenna has, with kudos for doing so, fielded a relatively settled team where possible for a spell now. We should be looking more and more like a functioning unit but I'm not sure if we do for large spells. As you say, first half to second half was chalk and cheese today but, against some of the division's better sides, we may not have been given the chance to adjust. | |
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| Well, I've come away from Portman Road pleased and frustrated in on 22:47 - Dec 20 with 394 views | Churchman |
A far better summary than mine in another thread, Homer - thank you. Don’t disagree with any of it.
Nunez is an interesting player. He can actually be unplayable. He can also be scruffy and wasteful. If fit, play him every week.
Shout out to for Philogene. He is some player. Ok, he missed a far easier chance than he scored, but watching him do what he does - he’s worth the entrance money alone. |  | | |
| Well, I've come away from Portman Road pleased and frustrated in on 23:15 - Dec 20 with 347 views | Simonds92 |
Agree with most of this, but the keeper made a genuinely unbelievable save from Egeli's chance. I can't remember the Philogene one, but Clarke took his chance.
McAteer just doesn't have the ability, he's too slow and doesn't have the quality to be clinical in front of goal. By too slow, I mean in terms of his decision making. I don't think its a confidence thing, I just don't think he has the technique or speed of thought. | | | |
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