MATCHWATCH : Huddersfield Town (h)

[Whore Jackie]

Don't mind Dean as the substitute CB, but no way he can last 90 minutes. Considering we lost 3 first XI centre-backs last year, to still have as strong a partnership as Bindon and Mbengue is testament to the scouting team.

Kudos to Craig, think he's had a pretty decent stint at RB. Certainly not an area that the opposition target given our first-choice RB is missing. Huddersfield seemed to target Abrefa on the left early on, but he definitely grew into the game. Having Knibbs fit though makes such a difference to the whole team's defence. His pressing was exceptional on Saturday.

[Snowflake Royal]

It wasn't the greatest performance from us, but we managed to get the win. This is especially important as we only won two games after conceding first last season (out of twenty-six) - Bolton and Blackpool at home - and none of the four this season. Hopefully will give the players confidence we can get back into games once we've gone 1-0 down.

Sat right behim the goal and said to one of the people who sit next to me as it was being lined up that I thought Button had left too much space to aim at for the free kick. A step further to the left, even half a step, and I think he'd have tipped it over the bar instead of onto it.

That said the defenders definitely didn't react well and have to take most of the blame.

I also said to the people next to me before the free-kick was taken that Button looked too far to his right - leaving too much space for them to aim at. I understand the wall is supposed to cover that side of the goal, but Button seems to be leaving himself a bit too much in the event the ball gets past the wall (as it did here). Perhaps he used to be able to cover that distance, but can't anymore due to his age?

Completely agree with the point about following in, they had three of four players anticipating a rebound compared to our zero. That was a much bigger issue when it comes to that goal.

not been massively impressed so far I'm afraid. He was too far away from Craig in possession and no where when out of. There's an enormous hole in midfield between the defence and the front 3 that means we just give possession away with long clearances. That's where Wing should be but he's playing (not effectively) as a sweeper. We need to move Craig into shielding the defence and Wing into a more creative role in MF. But who plays RB? Dean?

Agree with this. Ideally, I'd have a similar shape in midfield to how we finished last season:

RB - CB - CB - LB
Craig - Wing
Campbell - Knibbs - Ehib

I think that would allow Wing the licence to get further up the pitch, into areas where he'll be more effective; would get Knibbs closer to Smith and allow Craig to cover defensively in midfield.

The problem at the moment is obviously the full-back positions, where Craig is needed at right-back and Abrefa is currently needed at left-back. The only potential alternative I can think of, which I wouldn't want to see unless absolutely required, would be moving Mbengue to full-back and having Dean at centre-back.

this crossed my mind but that implications of Dean at CB was too much to consider. Especially as Bindon/Mbengue I think is a very strong pairing.

You 100% wouldn't want Bindon and Dean unless you had to, because it would be back to seriously lacking pace. Bindon's not glacial by any stretch, but he isn't quick like Mbengue.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Given the state of the squad, clearly Craig continues at RB. He's done nothing wrong there this season. I'd rather a proper RB, but the only fit one available is needed at LB for the same reason.

Garcia is 16. Bench appearances, pizza cup etc., is fine, but not the answer in the league..

[Brogue]

Given the state of the squad, clearly Craig continues at RB. He's done nothing wrong there this season. I'd rather a proper RB, but the only fit one available is needed at LB for the same reason.

Garcia is 16. Bench appearances, pizza cup etc., is fine, but not the answer in the league..

Agreed on Craig. And if anything it gives a very promising academy player valuable minutes on the pitch to develop. even if it’s out of position, it’s going to benefit him in the long run - getting game time at such an early age. Which is what kinda annoys me about this cem Campbell signing. Just don’t see the point in him blocking the pathway of our academy products.

[Hound]

Tbf one thing we can’t complain about is pathway for academy players at the moment

It’s virtually our only option when the inevitable injuries hit

When is Camara back out of interest. Anyone know?

[Brogue]

Tbf one thing we can’t complain about is pathway for academy players at the moment

It’s virtually our only option when the inevitable injuries hit

When is Camara back out of interest. Anyone know?

Camara was supposed to be back mid september. So hopefully ready soon

[Royal Rother]

Surprised no comment about the incredible ineptitude of the Hudds defence leading to our 1st goal.

(Excellent finish by Knibbs though!)

[Snowflake Royal]

Given the state of the squad, clearly Craig continues at RB. He's done nothing wrong there this season. I'd rather a proper RB, but the only fit one available is needed at LB for the same reason.

Garcia is 16. Bench appearances, pizza cup etc., is fine, but not the answer in the league..

Agreed on Craig. And if anything it gives a very promising academy player valuable minutes on the pitch to develop. even if it’s out of position, it’s going to benefit him in the long run - getting game time at such an early age. Which is what kinda annoys me about this cem Campbell signing. Just don’t see the point in him blocking the pathway of our academy products.

I don't think he's really blocking anyone. Who would that be?

Akande is still getting minutes and isn't what you'd want in a starter yet. Camara is injured. Ahmed is behind Akande. Sackey seems more a midfielder. Tuma has had a few minutes but doesn't seem ready to be starting regularly.

[Brogue]

Given the state of the squad, clearly Craig continues at RB. He's done nothing wrong there this season. I'd rather a proper RB, but the only fit one available is needed at LB for the same reason.

Garcia is 16. Bench appearances, pizza cup etc., is fine, but not the answer in the league..

Agreed on Craig. And if anything it gives a very promising academy player valuable minutes on the pitch to develop. even if it’s out of position, it’s going to benefit him in the long run - getting game time at such an early age. Which is what kinda annoys me about this cem Campbell signing. Just don’t see the point in him blocking the pathway of our academy products.

I don't think he's really blocking anyone. Who would that be?

Akande is still getting minutes and isn't what you'd want in a starter yet. Camara is injured. Ahmed is behind Akande. Sackey seems more a midfielder. Tuma has had a few minutes but doesn't seem ready to be starting regularly.

Well personally I’d like to see knibbs moved onto the right so we can have a midfield 5 of WiFi on the left, wing, savage and Elliott in the middle and knibbs on the right. So yeh not an academy blocker, true, a savage blocker, we are a better side when savage plays.

[Snowflake Royal]

Agreed on Craig. And if anything it gives a very promising academy player valuable minutes on the pitch to develop. even if it’s out of position, it’s going to benefit him in the long run - getting game time at such an early age. Which is what kinda annoys me about this cem Campbell signing. Just don’t see the point in him blocking the pathway of our academy products.

I don't think he's really blocking anyone. Who would that be?

Akande is still getting minutes and isn't what you'd want in a starter yet. Camara is injured. Ahmed is behind Akande. Sackey seems more a midfielder. Tuma has had a few minutes but doesn't seem ready to be starting regularly.

Well personally I’d like to see knibbs moved onto the right so we can have a midfield 5 of WiFi on the left, wing, savage and Elliott in the middle and knibbs on the right. So yeh not an academy blocker, true, a savage blocker, we are a better side when savage plays.

I agree Savage should play, but Knibbs was poor when he started in the left last season and was a revelation in the middle. I wouldn’t want to push him out to the right and risk not getting the best out of him.

All opinions though

[Hound]

I do see the midfiled as Knibbs, Wing and one of Elliott and Savage still

I think Savage offers more at this stage personally but Elliott is improving. Just think he had a poor game Saturday

[Snowflake Royal]

I do see the midfiled as Knibbs, Wing and one of Elliott and Savage still

I think Savage offers more at this stage personally but Elliott is improving. Just think he had a poor game Saturday

And the week before.

For me, Elliott is understudy to Knibbs. Savage is probably more understudy to Wing, but of those not currently in midfield most deserving to be there. And Craig is really the only senior player properly suited to screening defence.

But it would be a 'brave' manager that drops Wing for either Savage or Craig.

[Hound]

I do see the midfiled as Knibbs, Wing and one of Elliott and Savage still

I think Savage offers more at this stage personally but Elliott is improving. Just think he had a poor game Saturday

And the week before.

For me, Elliott is understudy to Knibbs. Savage is probably more understudy to Wing, but of those not currently in midfield most deserving to be there. And Craig is really the only senior player properly suited to screening defence.

But it would be a 'brave' manager that drops Wing for either Savage or Craig.

Yeah didn’t see the previous week but thought he was pretty good in some earlier games

Big fan of Craig but realistically has to stay RB atm. The midfield is functioning ok and don’t fancy the other options at RB

[Snowflake Royal]

I do see the midfiled as Knibbs, Wing and one of Elliott and Savage still

I think Savage offers more at this stage personally but Elliott is improving. Just think he had a poor game Saturday

And the week before.

For me, Elliott is understudy to Knibbs. Savage is probably more understudy to Wing, but of those not currently in midfield most deserving to be there. And Craig is really the only senior player properly suited to screening defence.

But it would be a 'brave' manager that drops Wing for either Savage or Craig.

Yeah didn’t see the previous week but thought he was pretty good in some earlier games

Big fan of Craig but realistically has to stay RB atm. The midfield is functioning ok and don’t fancy the other options at RB

I think Elliott copes a lot better against the better sides who play football. The more defensive, direct and physical sides he struggles more with. Looked very accomplished at the start of the season.

[stealthpapes]

Elliott was one of a number of players who stepped up a level or two last season. Early games he was very lightweight and lost the ball. Even if you could see what he was trying, this was a liability. Mola was another.

The biggest thing I've noticed is that Dorsett appears to have really dropped off the pace - out of position for at least one goal vs Wrexham (definitely the second) for a start. So with a right back injured (Yiadom played in 32 games last season), a left back out of form (Dorsett played in 23 games, with a spell out injured), the cover defenders released (Mola played in 30 games, Carson a further 10), its perhaps no surprise this is where we are showing the most cracks.

[Hound]

Without knowing how much finances dictated, I do think letting Mola go was the wrong decision. Would have been extremely useful this year covering both Fb slots

[traff]

Without knowing how much finances dictated, I do think letting Mola go was the wrong decision. Would have been extremely useful this year covering both Fb slots

I believe he left on his own volition.

[Stranded]

Without knowing how much finances dictated, I do think letting Mola go was the wrong decision. Would have been extremely useful this year covering both Fb slots

We did offer him a deal though - how long for and how much we would have been paying him is open to question but if he was being offered anything similar elsewhere, which I imagine he was, then he was always going to say thanks but no thanks.

[Clyde1998]

Without knowing how much finances dictated, I do think letting Mola go was the wrong decision. Would have been extremely useful this year covering both Fb slots

He was offered a deal, but decided to go to Bristol Rovers instead. I don't know if that was due to wages or anything else.

It may have been the club would've given a one-year deal to Matty Carson had they known Mola would be leaving, although he's only played 42 minutes for Grimsby this season. There was probably an expectation we'd have been able to sign players too - left-back would've been one of the key positions we would've signed someone.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Carson wasn't the answer, his experience at Grimsby is showing that. Wand of a left foot, but a massive liability defensively. Mola chose to leave. Ryan may well have been ready but did his ACL. Ownership meant we couldn't sign anyone.

It just is what it is. The team are doing a decent job managing.