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We booked trains today and the 10.30 was the one you could book on and not the 9.30. Would love to know what's actually going on here, seems like a very strange way to run a railway.
Looking at the operating companies it looks like its Grand Central Rail and they don't seem to be one of the ones affected by strikes. So in theory that service wouldn't be affected (but might be busier than usual?)
Although Paddy didn't do well for their first goal I remember him making a number of very good saves to keep them out second half. Strange for Rooney to comment on that and not Barton who was the only one acting suspiciously, desperate to get sent off.
I'd swap Gray for Hugill in an instant. He'd be a great foil for Illy and Willy.
My point more is that those two loan signings were hungry and put effort in. We really could have done with one like them this season, not Gray who seems to be becoming less and less interested, cant even get into the starting XI when there's literally no other fit strikers. It's a shame because he's clearly got talent and looks very effective at this level when putting in some effort.
Difficulty with that is the all of sudden we have him Willock Chair and whichever 'striker' is available all trying to get forward. Then when we lose the ball they are through our midfield and running at our defense. That was part of how we played in the first half of the season and were trying to outscore other teams.
Warburton has a difficult job in balancing this team, not convinced that he knows his best 11, and a real key issue at this stage of the season is that whichever striker we seem to play does not make enough of an impact on the game, especially with Austin and Gray. Getting that loan signing wrong (not the fault of the club at all) may cost us this season, just to think we could have had a signing as effective as Wells or Hugill instead of Gray. One of those in this team this season would have made a great difference
Johansen shouldn't get as much stick as he does, and he's a very intelligent player, with a great eye for a pass. But his loss of form is affecting us badly, especially when it comes to doing the simple things and making silly mistakes. It's thing like not making five yard passes and giving the ball away cheaply that have been costing us, and especially did last weekend against Blackburn when they were pressing and dominating us.
We need to stick by him tho - that pass to Gray that should have resulted in at least a shot on goal shows what he can do.
At least Luton have Middlesborough (Sat) and Coventry away (Tues) in between this and our game a week on Sunday. Those are two tough games for them we need to take advantage of that.
I'm surprised there are mixed opinions about Field's performance on Wednesday night. For me he did a great job against the quality of Tavernier and Crooks - especially Crooks who is a very good player and massive threat from midfield. I think without Field we would have lost the game comfortably. It was summed up in the second half when he popped up as the last man behind our CBs to block a goalbound shot.
I think Johansen is good, obviously intelligent, creative and great experience, but too often playing well below the level we know he can reach this season - petulant fouls and misplaced passes are often frustrating . I wonder if Hendrick might threaten him for that position - the little we saw of him on Wednesday was real quality. At least that competition is there and Johansen will have to either up his game or lose his place in the team.
I'm perfectly happy with us not signing anyone else. With Sanderson signing, McCallum and Odubajo coming back, Chair returning, and Dykes also staying fit (and now scoring) we have decent cover all over the pitch, and particularly strong cover in midfield.
In an ideal world we would have slightly better striker options, that could be the different between play offs and automatic, but its not like we can go out and sign anyone better than we have without spending a lot of money.
If we succeed now and others like Bournemouth and Forest don't after splashing extra money it will be even more satisfying.
I think with that team we would often dominate games, or at least the first half, but not capitlise and concede poor goals. This team is the opposite - clinical when chances come, hard to score against, win games that we shouldn't. The centre backs and Willock are the main reason for this at the moment.
Coventry Arena Station looks good...but looking at train times they seem to actively avoid putting trains on before and after the game. I think the one closest to kick off is 13.30, and then the earliest one after is 18.22. A couple trains scheduled during the game too, seems strange that they wouldnt try to put on some trains that coincide with a 3pm kick off..
Only been once before, on the supporters coach (the 1-0 in 2006, think Jimmy Smith got the winner).
Does anyone know how difficult it is to get to the ground from the station? Seems like another Reading, which is a shame because other than the ground its a very good awayday on paper.
I thought Archer looked shakey, didnt command his area well at all and flapped at numerous crosses. West Brom are also a direct team, but with better delivery and better players on the end of the crosses, so they would have watched that and targeted him. No idea what the solution is now though, would it be worth loaning someone in for 4/5 games?
Bit of a cliche but I think we should start Dykes and Gray. If either of them could get a couple of goals and run up a bit of form that would be beneficial for our league form. I would also like to see them both start consecutive games, especially Gray, who I think hasn't got going yet because of inconsistent playing time, but has still managed to score some good goals. If we could get either him or Dykes scoring consistently in the second half of the season it could be massive for us.
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