While Al Hamadi has shown potential in flashes it's vital we have Moore fit for a high pressure game at Norwich. It was evident to me we were missing Burns pace and physicality down the right today Hutchinson was getting over powered by a quick and technical Southampton team but he's had a good season and will only get better maybe in a more central position.

What a team. This is a real deal team. I am so proud of them.

hows hirst ?

I reckon we are going to be stretched at Carrott Road - already without Burns & Hirst and Moore now possibly a doubt.
Though it pains me to say it that lot up the road are firing and will be looking to derail our run in to automatic promotion so there will be an opportunity for someone in blue to become a hero.
Al Hamadi could be that man.

I’m already nervous about Saturday! They are on a good run of form at home and will be up for it no doubt. But yesterday shows our spirit and togetherness so more of the same please!

It's no coincidence that our 'poor' run after Christmas was in the period after Hirst got injured & before Kieffer Moore came on in the second half against Preston; if he is out for a few weeks it will be a major blow our automatic promotion hopes.
Both Hirst & Moore can score important goals at Championship level, but their overall value to this side, in McKenna's preferred style & formation is way beyond that.
Both can knock seven shades of s### out of 2 seasoned centre halves for 60+ minutes, they can win ball high up the pitch & retain possession despite strong phyiscal challenges, before cleverly laying it off to runners coming from deep. This is a massive part of our game which really suits the 6/7 options we have to play in the 3 attacking roles behind the centre forward, not to mention our fullbacks or midfielers.
They can offer a focal point for our attacks & a much needed relieving outlet to find in periods when we are under defensive pressure. Both play the role excellently & allow those around them to perform to best of their abilities. In short, it has been a key position for our success this season (and last).
Ali Al Hamadi has exceeded expectations in the Championship minutes he has played so far, & was inches away from scoring his 5th goal with us yesterday. He is strong, direct, driven, hard working, & he knows where the goal is; these are excellent qualities in a young forward, and he is only going to get better.
However, he is a very different style of forward to the other 2 mentioned above, and so should not have too much pressure placed on him to replicate the type of play that we have seen from the other 2 mentioned above. Apart from his natural game being different, we have to acknowledge his lack of experience playing against Championship (& Premier League) quality defenders, as well as his age.
There is not going to be too much point in hitting high balls up to him, like we would with the other 2, but balls out wide or in behind for him to run on to will see his directness & pace causing problem.
I thought McKenna did brilliantly in switching the attacking play when the subs came on yesterday; short, snappy, balls to feet through the middle (Taylor was immense) really used the qualities we had on the pitch & put Southampton on the back foot - great awareness & tactical management yet again.
It'll be tough, but with this manager & the honesty of his squad we're still in there & won't give it up without leaving everything on the football field.

I hope Moore is fit for Saturday but if not then I'm sure Mckenna has a plan in mind and maybe a surprise selection. Much as we'd like to know about Moore I'm sure that things will be kept quiet so that the budgies don't know who they will face.

If it’s a knock I suspect Moore will recover for sat but Al-Hamadi has not let us down and remember when we looked back to our best in the last 20 mins it was without Moore so if he’s not quite ready for sat we will be fine. 3 points to make up for draw they robbed with two offside goals at Portman Road, it’s about time we beat that lot up the road….. we are much much a better team so this match is there for the taking! Let’s stay top this weekend and keep proving the media wrong.

Moore will be a loss if not fit, with others like Burns and Hirst out too. Sarmiento, Taylor & Broady made a strong impact going forward yesterday so we still have plenty of attacking options if Moore isn't fit for the derby.

Sarmiento said afterwards on Sky sports something along the lines that he was a bit miffed at not being a starter, so maybe that'll happen at some point, then again he had the impact KM wanted as a sub, so hardly a bad decision to save his legs for later in the game.

Hutch is having an impact from starting now rather than just a sub, so maybe its Sarmientos time to do the same.

KM does use fast players like Jackson to wear the opposition down so that Sarmiento can have fresh impact energy.

If he is out for a few weeks we'll need to play Broadhead through the middle rather that Al-Hamadi as he's still new to this level and in those crucial moments t shows, either Broadhead or Sarmiento but he seems better as an impact player.

Impact injury he’ll be fine I’d imagine albeit his back was going into spasms. This should settle down quickly so that he starts against the Carrots On Saturday. Our toughest game so far this season not because of the quality of the opposition but because of expectations. This caused us problems at PR and the fans anxiety transmits to the players. Norwich still unbeaten at home so I’d take a point now.

Going to be a Tough One Folks ! - Don’t Count your Chickens just yet - and don’t give Sargeant an INCH ….. or we’ll regret it !!