I only see games on CTV and last night only had commentary but reading the marks and comments this season it seems we have a different Morgan and Kirk. It is hard to understand the difference on a stream but what is it that has improved them both?
I've long thought Morgan suffered for the fact we did not play possession football and managers not playing to his strengths. He is not a 10, he is not the right or left man in a Diamond either. He always did well in the academy where we tended to move the ball better than we did at first team level. Kirk looks to have confidence and freedom, but also to be getting the ball with space and time to operate.
Kirk: has gone from doing 0 things a game, to 1 or 2. Still a luxury player, but might get you a goal
Still needs to work on his defensive duties, even the basics, thats the biggest issue now for me with him
It didnt really lead to the goal as there was enough passage of play for it to be avoided. But there was a moment when Clayden played a ball which didnt reach him, he made the barest of efforts to drop and collect it, and then stopped which made life easy for the QPR player.
Not asking him to bust a gut, and make last ditch tackles to support his Full-Back, but dont be plain lazy.
Its why I'd be surprised if he starts away from home on a regular basis
Kirk: has gone from doing 0 things a game, to 1 or 2. Still a luxury player, but might get you a goal
And the thing is you can have a luxury player with quality on the ball when you're not playing the turgid football we've become accustomed to and they will improve you.
I only see games on CTV and last night only had commentary but reading the marks and comments this season it seems we have a different Morgan and Kirk. It is hard to understand the difference on a stream but what is it that has improved them both?
Albie is everywhere, but he has players making the kind of runs his passes are made for. In particular Kirk & CBT always seem to make those early runs.
9 Championship teams played lower league opposition, all 9 lost. Madness
I don't suppose it's a reflection of an uplift in the standard lower down the leagues. More that it isn't that important to those Championship Club's who complacently field weakened teams hoping to have enough to see them through, although I know QPR didn't.
I don't think the gap has narrowed, even though I don't expect Sunderland to find themselves at the arse end of the Championship this season . I expect Wigan and Rotherham to both struggle though, and it seems every time the Millers get to the Championship, they can't bridge the gap, in much the same way as Norwich can't bridge the gap to the Prem.
Too early to draw conclusions though and it will be interesting to see how tonight's games go. But hey, who cares. Aren't we just the best.....for now!
9 Championship teams played lower league opposition, all 9 lost. Madness
I don't suppose it's a reflection of an uplift in the standard lower down the leagues. More that it isn't that important to those Championship Club's who complacently field weakened teams hoping to have enough to see them through, although I know QPR didn't.
I don't think the gap has narrowed, even though I don't expect Sunderland to find themselves at the arse end of the Championship this season . I expect Wigan and Rotherham to both struggle though, and it seems every time the Millers get to the Championship, they can't bridge the gap, in much the same way as Norwich can't bridge the gap to the Prem.
Too early to draw conclusions though and it will be interesting to see how tonight's games go. But hey, who cares. Aren't we just the best.....for now!
Championship clubs don't care much about the EFL club, and neither do most smaller PL clubs, that's the sad truth
Just looking at the list of recent winners, the last non Big 6 club to win it was in 2013. Indeed 4 out of the last 5 finals have been between Big 6 clubs, which for a neutral makes them a complete yawnfest.
9 Championship teams played lower league opposition, all 9 lost. Madness
I don't suppose it's a reflection of an uplift in the standard lower down the leagues. More that it isn't that important to those Championship Club's who complacently field weakened teams hoping to have enough to see them through, although I know QPR didn't.
I don't think the gap has narrowed, even though I don't expect Sunderland to find themselves at the arse end of the Championship this season . I expect Wigan and Rotherham to both struggle though, and it seems every time the Millers get to the Championship, they can't bridge the gap, in much the same way as Norwich can't bridge the gap to the Prem.
Too early to draw conclusions though and it will be interesting to see how tonight's games go. But hey, who cares. Aren't we just the best.....for now!
Championship clubs don't care much about the EFL club, and neither do most smaller PL clubs, that's the sad truth
Just looking at the list of recent winners, the last non Big 6 club to win it was in 2013. Indeed 4 out of the last 5 finals have been between Big 6 clubs, which for a neutral makes them a complete yawnfest.
It has become a really silly competition hasn't it. I suppose the FA cup has as well.
At least in the 90s we got knocked out by Man United's first team.
3 or 4 of the top 6 teams will get to the semis playing their reserves then suddenly take it seriously.
It is possible to get the kind of draw that would generate money, and for us that would help mitigate the losses and maintain the ship on a steadier course.
I only see games on CTV and last night only had commentary but reading the marks and comments this season it seems we have a different Morgan and Kirk. It is hard to understand the difference on a stream but what is it that has improved them both?
Game time, coaching, but above all, playing a way that suits them I'd guessed.
Can't beat seeing players and a game in the flesh, a few players surprised me last night after finally getting a in person look at them rather than through a stream.
Last night I was amused when the referee castigated Payne (left of the QPR goal at the Jimmy Seed) when he had a bit of argy bargy with the QPR defender twice his size. Even if Payne was in the wrong the referee couldn’t really yellow card the little guy at that moment, it wouldn’t have been a good look. An instance where Payne passed the CL height test.
Bit late to the party, but I was very impressed last night. The passing and attitude was spot on and it feels like a plan is coming together.
Payne is a star, as is Wollacott. Last night showed that there are players out there if you know where to look. Nothing wrong if they are a division below or a former club of the new manager.
We desperately need Sandgaard to spend on a striker. Hopefully he can see the promising signs and realise now is the time to invest.
As an aside, I thought DJ was much better last night and his finishing pre match was excellent. It still bugs me that him and Clare are seemingly always running towards each other. Never wants to use his pace and encourage the ball over the top.
Last night was a perfect example of how we will do better against better teams that try to play football. I have no doubt that we will more than hold our own against the top teams in the league but I also think we might struggle against the teams that get into a battle. Very good signs though and I would think we might attract some decent loan signings after showing the type of game we want to play
I only see games on CTV and last night only had commentary but reading the marks and comments this season it seems we have a different Morgan and Kirk. It is hard to understand the difference on a stream but what is it that has improved them both?
Morgan - More intensity to his pressing and play. He is passing and moving, rather than just passing and watching.
Kirk - He's got a few players who are overlapping and showing movement, so is showing his offering now. JJ used him as a left wing back remember, just because that formation could not be altered.
When did JJ use him at wing back ? In a Johnstone’s Paint game ?
Bit late to the party, but I was very impressed last night. The passing and attitude was spot on and it feels like a plan is coming together.
Payne is a star, as is Wollacott. Last night showed that there are players out there if you know where to look. Nothing wrong if they are a division below or a former club of the new manager.
We desperately need Sandgaard to spend on a striker. Hopefully he can see the promising signs and realise now is the time to invest.
As an aside, I thought DJ was much better last night and his finishing pre match was excellent. It still bugs me that him and Clare are seemingly always running towards each other. Never wants to use his pace and encourage the ball over the top.
I agree we need another striker, but I couldn't care less how he comes by one. It could be a freebie or a loan, just as long he's up to the mark. Don't get this obsession with having to flash the cash and certainly wouldn't judge the contents of a book by it's price tag. He's spent big before and got it wrong remember.
I only see games on CTV and last night only had commentary but reading the marks and comments this season it seems we have a different Morgan and Kirk. It is hard to understand the difference on a stream but what is it that has improved them both?
Game time, coaching, but above all, playing a way that suits them I'd guessed.
Can't beat seeing players and a game in the flesh, a few players surprised me last night after finally getting a in person look at them rather than through a stream.
We have played the same formation in all 3 games. The fundamentals are the same but the patterns of play have been very different and more often right.
I think it will look similar on paper but look different on the pitch and that's where playing the right players, in the right role, will come to the for.
Under both managers last seasin, some times through necessity, we ramed the player into the role. Whoever it was.
Love the positions Henry took up outside the box. Paid a dividend so I'm pretty sure that was a set play they had worked on for second phase balls falling outside the box.
Very well done young man
Using the back of a QPR defender with a misguided header as the first phase is a set play ? Yeah , OK and pig's fly.
Nope, the first phase to me is the corner being taken. Henry's positioning would have been worked on to make sure he got ANY of the falling balls outside the box...albeit from a genuine flick on from our player or something from one of there players.
Better yet...just enjoy the fact it was a great performance from a young team against championship opposition and one of the academy graduates scored a worldie.
I only see games on CTV and last night only had commentary but reading the marks and comments this season it seems we have a different Morgan and Kirk. It is hard to understand the difference on a stream but what is it that has improved them both?
I've long thought Morgan suffered for the fact we did not play possession football and managers not playing to his strengths. He is not a 10, he is not the right or left man in a Diamond either. He always did well in the academy where we tended to move the ball better than we did at first team level. Kirk looks to have confidence and freedom, but also to be getting the ball with space and time to operate.
Let’s give it a bit longer with Morgan before drawing conclusions. I really want him to make it with us, but I’m still sceptical…
I only see games on CTV and last night only had commentary but reading the marks and comments this season it seems we have a different Morgan and Kirk. It is hard to understand the difference on a stream but what is it that has improved them both?
I've long thought Morgan suffered for the fact we did not play possession football and managers not playing to his strengths. He is not a 10, he is not the right or left man in a Diamond either. He always did well in the academy where we tended to move the ball better than we did at first team level. Kirk looks to have confidence and freedom, but also to be getting the ball with space and time to operate.
Let’s give it a bit longer with Morgan before drawing conclusions. I really want him to make it with us, but I’m still sceptical…
Your a brave man to express such reservations. The last poster to say similar got pelters and hasn't been heard from since.
FWIW I agree, but he's obviously playing with confidence at the moment and long may that continue.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening all round, with a couple of pre-match pints and pizza in the River Ale House and seats near the directors' box to try and spot any football 'celebs'. Alas, the only ones we managed to identify were the aforementioned Lee Bowyer, Chris Hughton and the man I now know to be the great Andrew Crofts. Brighton have already signed Beadle and they do invest quite heavily in youngsters, so some of ours will doubtless be on their radar. It's to Thomas Sandgaard's credit that he has probably invested significantly this summer in tying down our promising young players.
As to the game itself, I'm sure it's all been said. We were clearly the better side in the first half, with some crisp passing throughout and DJ featuring prominently down the right. QPR came out with more intent in the second period and the introduction of their three attacking subs on the hour mark (and the understandable substitution of Dobbo and Clare) enabled them to seize the initiative. We stood up to it fairly well and just when we thought the game was up after Roberts' goal, Aaron Henry produced his moment of magic. I doubt we'll score a better goal from our team this season.
I thought that we did well defensively and it was good to see O'Connell put that nightmare first half last Saturday firmly behind him. I thought that Charlie Clayden had an excellent game, both defensively and offensively, and he certainly looks good enough to perform a back-up role at left back this season. He is a tenacious lad and has real pace. In midfield, Payne is clearly an inventive and clever player, whilst Albie made a big difference when he came on near the end. Up top, I was impressed again with Miles Leaburn, who did well against two big central defenders, including Dickie, who was QPR 's player of the year in 2020/21 following his £2 million move from Oxford. Miles won't come up against many centre-halves of that quality in League 1.
Regardless of the late turnaround, Ben Garner got his team selection and substitutions spot on and coming out on top against a Championship team who made 5 changes as opposed to our 7 can only boost the morale and confidence of the group. Happy days.
Comments
It didnt really lead to the goal as there was enough passage of play for it to be avoided. But there was a moment when Clayden played a ball which didnt reach him, he made the barest of efforts to drop and collect it, and then stopped which made life easy for the QPR player.
Not asking him to bust a gut, and make last ditch tackles to support his Full-Back, but dont be plain lazy.
Its why I'd be surprised if he starts away from home on a regular basis
And the thing is you can have a luxury player with quality on the ball when you're not playing the turgid football we've become accustomed to and they will improve you.
Kirk just seems more up for it.
I don't think the gap has narrowed, even though I don't expect Sunderland to find themselves at the arse end of the Championship this season . I expect Wigan and Rotherham to both struggle though, and it seems every time the Millers get to the Championship, they can't bridge the gap, in much the same way as Norwich can't bridge the gap to the Prem.
Too early to draw conclusions though and it will be interesting to see how tonight's games go. But hey, who cares. Aren't we just the best.....for now!
Saw that in a Kevin Costner film once.
Just looking at the list of recent winners, the last non Big 6 club to win it was in 2013. Indeed 4 out of the last 5 finals have been between Big 6 clubs, which for a neutral makes them a complete yawnfest.
At least in the 90s we got knocked out by Man United's first team.
3 or 4 of the top 6 teams will get to the semis playing their reserves then suddenly take it seriously.
Game time, coaching, but above all, playing a way that suits them I'd guessed.
Can't beat seeing players and a game in the flesh, a few players surprised me last night after finally getting a in person look at them rather than through a stream.
Even if Payne was in the wrong the referee couldn’t really yellow card the little guy at that moment, it wouldn’t have been a good look.
An instance where Payne passed the CL height test.
Payne is a star, as is Wollacott. Last night showed that there are players out there if you know where to look. Nothing wrong if they are a division below or a former club of the new manager.
We desperately need Sandgaard to spend on a striker. Hopefully he can see the promising signs and realise now is the time to invest.
As an aside, I thought DJ was much better last night and his finishing pre match was excellent. It still bugs me that him and Clare are seemingly always running towards each other. Never wants to use his pace and encourage the ball over the top.
I think it will look similar on paper but look different on the pitch and that's where playing the right players, in the right role, will come to the for.
Under both managers last seasin, some times through necessity, we ramed the player into the role. Whoever it was.
Better yet...just enjoy the fact it was a great performance from a young team against championship opposition and one of the academy graduates scored a worldie.
Not everything has to have a negative spin.
FWIW I agree, but he's obviously playing with confidence at the moment and long may that continue.
IF ONLY I COULD HAVE GOT A BEER!!!, The queue for the Lower North bars at 07.20 was a piss take,
As to the game itself, I'm sure it's all been said. We were clearly the better side in the first half, with some crisp passing throughout and DJ featuring prominently down the right. QPR came out with more intent in the second period and the introduction of their three attacking subs on the hour mark (and the understandable substitution of Dobbo and Clare) enabled them to seize the initiative. We stood up to it fairly well and just when we thought the game was up after Roberts' goal, Aaron Henry produced his moment of magic. I doubt we'll score a better goal from our team this season.
I thought that we did well defensively and it was good to see O'Connell put that nightmare first half last Saturday firmly behind him. I thought that Charlie Clayden had an excellent game, both defensively and offensively, and he certainly looks good enough to perform a back-up role at left back this season. He is a tenacious lad and has real pace. In midfield, Payne is clearly an inventive and clever player, whilst Albie made a big difference when he came on near the end. Up top, I was impressed again with Miles Leaburn, who did well against two big central defenders, including Dickie, who was QPR 's player of the year in 2020/21 following his £2 million move from Oxford. Miles won't come up against many centre-halves of that quality in League 1.
Regardless of the late turnaround, Ben Garner got his team selection and substitutions spot on and coming out on top against a Championship team who made 5 changes as opposed to our 7 can only boost the morale and confidence of the group. Happy days.