BFTG - Huddersfield

[Schmeichel the dog]

I can see a lot of parallels with the first Selles season, except more stability off the pitch. New, young team getting outsmarted by more experienced sides, but I think we're better now and it won't get as dire as then. It's easy to say we've lost quality players like Smith, Knibbs, Azeez, Mbengue and Bindon because we have. But 2 years ago, Bindon was an unproven 18 year old, we weren't convinced on Azeez or Mbengue, Knibbs was being wasted out of position and looked unconvincing. Even Smith was injured at first and had been quite a streaky striker at Cambridge; not the 20 goal a season L1 player we sold.

With a stable off pitch situation, we would not have been looking at another rebuild job only 2 years later. No doubt players would have been sold as that's what happens in L1, but it would have been phased and with better succession planning. Hopefully this time we really can set ourselves up for sustained success.

The only concern is the high number of loanees as we can't really build with them. How much short term pain is it worth persevering with O'Mahony for when it's for Brighton's benefit?

Agreed. Burns/Stickland can’t be expected to pick up directly where Bindon/Mbengue left off, but I thought Burns look composed and obviously has quality and Stickland will get better with more games. Had the free header been scored I believe we would have one the game. Small margins. Abrefa generally had a very good game but always looks like he has a mistake in him defensively, usually due to lack of concentration. Kyerewaa is very raw but seems to have something about him - could be a find. Other honourable mentions to Elliott and Doyle when they came on. I thought Lane was disappointing as I was expecting more from him and unfortunately O’Mahoney offered nothing and can’t see him getting many more games based on that (and other) performances. I didn’t think Huddersfield were all that - if they’re supposed to be one of the better teams in the league then we should be looking to do well this season if we can get into a rhythm (and get a decent striker!) Hoping Wing is OK - we’re going to need him to stay fit this season!

[Snowflake Royal]

Kyerewaa reminds me a bit of Akande. Raw pace and directness. Causes problems, but never quite in control so the final ball is always a bit off balance and wayward after snaking through a couple of challenges others wouldnt try to beat.

[Hound]

I thought O Mahony did ok. Not brilliantly certainly but ok. Nice assist for the Kyerewaa chance. Worked very hard, pressed well. Gave the cb a physical game

What he isn’t is great in the air and the first touch is far from the best. He’s playing to deep imo, get him on tbe last man, not in that #10 he seems to be playing

I don’t think he is the problem tbh. At least not yet. I don’t think replace with another CF of div1 level and we suddenly look dangerous and create and score loads of chances.

But I’d certainly concede he needs to improve his hold up and maybe movement. He looks pretty raw

[Esteban]

I thought O Mahony did ok. Not brilliantly certainly but ok. Nice assist for the Kyerewaa chance. Worked very hard, pressed well. Gave the cb a physical game

What he isn’t is great in the air and the first touch is far from the best. He’s playing to deep imo, get him on tbe last man, not in that #10 he seems to be playing

I don’t think he is the problem tbh. At least not yet. I don’t think replace with another CF of div1 level and we suddenly look dangerous and create and score loads of chances.

But I’d certainly concede he needs to improve his hold up and maybe movement. He looks pretty raw

He needs someone he can learn from and we don't have that at the club. Obviously Hunt can help him, but I think he needs another experienced player around him. I’m sure one will come in.

I do think he'll come good this season at some point and I can see him chipping in with a moderate amount of goals, eventually.

[South Coast Royal]

Kyerewaa reminds me a bit of Akande. Raw pace and directness. Causes problems, but never quite in control so the final ball is always a bit off balance and wayward after snaking through a couple of challenges others wouldnt try to beat.

Very much agree on Kyerewaa.
He seems to be very much in the mould of Akande, Tuma, Camara etc.-little players who run about a lot but in the end don't produce much.
I liked his quite aggressive approach though and we can hope that once he settles we will see more of a player.

A lot of postings recently have been about needing another striker.
O'Mahoney has shown little in 3 games but I think our problem is less about who plays at number 9 and more about the creation of chances.
For all the good passing in the midfield we once again v Lincoln and now V Huddersfield created so few chances which follows on from the same pattern as last year-Sam Smith did really well from scraps and that's why Wrexham wanted him and paid good money .

We can't keep on relying on worldies from Wing and , as yet, we don't seem to have anybody with the awareness of Knibbs in and around the box.
Maybe one of the newbies will step up or Elliot will find an end product from his many promising moments-we really do need him to stay fit.

As for Abrefa and Kelvin this is a big season for both.

Having been given the runaround in the Pompey game Abrefa has really stepped up in these two league games with a much more aggressive approach to his play-long may that continue as Yiadom may be reaching the end of his time as first choice right-back and Rushesha has never looked strong enough there.

Kelvin unfortunately is becoming an enigma just like Ejaria.
Some wonderful touches but not enough of them.
He looks like he could be a central striker but we fans know that he isn't, even if Hunty sometimes resorts to playing him there.
As a winger he doesn't track back and is not that great a crosser of the ball.
He didn't start yesterday and, despite the new contract, I wonder if Hunty really wants him in the side-we will see as the season progresses but his assist and goals scored records are not very good.

Very, very early days and yes we probably do need another striker but more importantly our good play needs to be much further forward.