Whos done well? (3 Viewers)

[Bertola]

I'd like to see Torp get some more minutes at the moment. Not sure what Yirenkyi offers over to him other than covering a lot of ground and committing silly fouls.

He played a pretty vital role in our goal last night

 

[stupot07]

Of the ones that have really looked to have stepped up from last season

Only really Thomas, Rudoni and Dasilva have really stepped up. I do think Torp has looked good when he's come on but has not been given much game time.

BTA has run around a lot, but his lack of quality is a problem.

Those that have struggled to make the step up
MVE, EMC, Sakamoto, Simms, Rushworth

 

[clint van damme]

BTA has run around a lot, but his lack of quality is a problem.

Despite Lampard saying he showed quality on the ball last night I dont think he did.
Hes clearly in the side because of his work rate and that tells me that Lampard doesnt trust some of the players who could potentially replace him to put a shift in, and that's worrying

 

[stupot07]

Despite Lampard saying he showed quality on the ball last night I dont think he did.
Hes clearly in the side because of his work rate and that tells me that Lampard doesnt trust some of the players who could potentially replace him to put a shift in, and that's worrying

Yeah completed just 3/7 passes (43%) and 1/4 dribbles (25%), he gave the ball away quite a lot.

 

[Major Tom]

I'm not taking anything way from what Lampard, his team and Doug King have done over the last two seasons but the lack of definitive quality in key positions in this league may possibly be out undoing. No doubt some of the young talent have great potential but playing a high percentage of championship players week on week will not cut it. Looking back to last year at say an FA cup game our odds against premier league team with the championship players would be limited, just look what happened when we played Ipswich.
But I am also realistic that we haven't got the hundreds of millions at our disposal i.e Spurs.

 

[robin.starling]

Ben Wilson is loving life, just seen him in Stratford driving his Bugatti over speed humps without braking.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Problem is not many have stepped up (not that’s it’s their fault) and a few signings look decent.

Mfuni, Thomas, Pinnock, Rudoni, Cherif have been positives.

 

[AOM]

I'd echo your thoughts and maybe, if I was feeling generous, throw in an honourable mention for Simms who was unlucky not to score against Man City, took his chance well against Newcastle and seemed unlucky not to come on last night

It was a rough first game to have back in the Premier league, but I also thought he did okay against Arsenal as well with how isolated he was.

I think Wright will be our starting striker once fit though.

 

[shmmeee]

Think I’d like to see some changes from what we’ve seen. Something along the lines of:

Rushworth (even off form he’s miles ahead of Bentley and Wilson)
Mfuni Thomas Pinnock (think you’ve got to find a spot for Mfuni)
KKH Onyeka Torp Dasilva (change it up here maybe Yirenkyi for Onyeka in spells)
Rudoni Gboho (don’t care what grump he’s having tell him to work it out on the pitch)
Cherif/Simms (think Cherif is worth persisting with but he’ll tire)

 

[Ccfc_Addy]

It was a rough first game to have back in the Premier league, but I also thought he did okay against Arsenal as well with how isolated he was.

I think Wright will be our starting striker once fit though.

I mean he got past Gabriel and drew a tactical foul, one of our only highlights of the match

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

I think the fact is that quality PL level strikers cost a lot of money. We've got a potential in Cherif, workhorses in Awonyi and BTA and the jury still out on Simms. I still believe Wright is the one who could hit numbers this season, but he's a good way from being available. It will be tough and it's not through lack of effort, just lack of quality and we're not really in the position to go out and get it, so everyone has to perform at 100% effort every time and see where we can nick bits.

I think Wright will be a bit of a disappointment.

His key attribute is putting the ball in the net when he gets the chance - he won't get as many in the PL.

When it comes to fighting for the ball winning headers etc. he always looks a bit like he can't be bothered.

Not sure about his pace as it will be useful, but he's also offside a lot and PL defenders have more nous. But he would also have VAR for those where they get it wrong.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Unless the club put a block on sales in the summer the lack of outgoings is telling. January window will be interesting.

In what world would there have been many outgoings? The squad is tiny

 

[Major Tom]

In what world would there have been many outgoings? The squad is tiny

A world where there must have been a belief that they could step up and compete at premier league level.

 

[Cov. Kids. Never. Quit]

Pinnock, after a shaky start, has looked good.

That's a classic example, some fans were saying he's not good enough at the start of the season.

 

[shepardo01]

Feels like we are currently only praising players for effort and working hard.

Yes.
Asante prime case here.
He's a regular for his off the ball contributions.
Lampard has alluded to his work rate and did again last night.

On the ball he's been his usual self - wasteful.

We have lacked real quality when needed at times, I can't see him being taken out of the side despite his quality levels probably not being up to Premier league standard as Lampard loves his work rate.

 

[Dougin]

Pinnock has helped Bobby go to a different level with his leadership and experience.

Milan has been the biggest disappointment. Just letting people get crosses in because hes been to scared to get skinned and look stupid.

 

[wingy]

BTA is good at falling over when challenged and buying free kicks, but he's no Jack Grealish

5 rolls minimum.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Pinnock has helped Bobby go to a different level with his leadership and experience.

Milan has been the biggest disappointment. Just letting people get crosses in because hes been to scared to get skinned and look stupid.

We've not really conceded many from crosses though. Milan suffering a bit with confidence but joins Grimes as the latest scapegoat.

 

[Skybluedogwood]

I'd like to see Torp get some more minutes at the moment. Not sure what Yirenkyi offers over to him other than covering a lot of ground and committing silly fouls.

He is young and makes rash decisions. But I'd wager he would slot right into a better side, he is a very positive player and I see far too many occasions where he just doesn't have enough quality around him to support a move and ends up trying / having to do too much on his own. There's a decent player in there for sure, but it will take a bit of time and having a few more options joining in with play in the middle to really see where he is at.

I'd 100% have him in our starting 11 and no issues trying Torp again but instead of Grimes, and hopefully with Gboho.

 

[Jamesimus]

Dasilva (up until yesterday’s game which was tough for him)
Pinnock
Thomas (although yesterday not at his best imo)
Cherif looks the part so far

BTA and Rudoni in flashes.

 

[Cally Fedora]

I’ve liked the ability of Rudoni and Mfuni. The attitude of BTA and the ability and attitude of Thomas. The only disappointment for me really has been EMC. I actually think Grimes has been OK as well.

 

[Jamesimus]

I’ve liked the ability of Rudoni and Mfuni. The attitude of BTA and the ability and attitude of Thomas. The only disappointment for me really has been EMC. I actually think Grimes has been OK as well.

I forgot Mfuni actually, yeah he’s looked good. Grimes has improved last few games.

 

[shmmeee]

We've not really conceded many from crosses though. Milan suffering a bit with confidence but joins Grimes as the latest scapegoat.

Wondering if the alleged breakup has knocked van Ewijk off his game tbh. Nothing wrong with a spell out and see what KKH can do

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

KKH will add competition now which is good. He looked ok when he came on. He needs to stay injury free though. Last season was a right off for him.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

A fair summation. I really thought Hamer would’ve forced his way in by now. At the start of the season he was my outside shout to be one of our most important players. Doesn’t look likely right now.

Rudoni has been really sharp and Thomas has grown even more so in physicality, wins every duel at the moment.

JDS when we’re in possession is really important to us being brave in keeping the ball, he just can’t handle some of the pace from wingers coming the other way.

Not seeing anything special in Yirenkyi at the moment. Considering I thought his main attribute was legs and all-action, he always seems a yard off it.

BTA can hold his head high. Just sometimes doesn’t release quickly enough in possession but he affects the team so positively and is more than just a workhorse.

We all know Rushworth is better than he’s showing. The price tag and Arsenal first game in front of all those eyes must’ve been terrifying, he fumbled a few that night and he’s never really settled since. He will though. Too good not to.

Very good summary.

 

[SIR ERNIE]

Pinnock is looking like a very shrewd signing.

Rudoni is starting to play with confidence and already looks effective at PL level.

Thomas is more than holding his own.
I do believe he benefits from having Pinnock's experience along side him.

Cherif is going to be a real talent. Good ability and work ethic.

Early days, encouraging signs.

 

[Tommo1993]

Expect we’ll make a good £ return on Bobby.

 

[Username Required]

Look Prem: Rudoni, Thomas, Da Silva, Pinnock, Mfuni
Almost There: Sakamoto, BTA, Cherif
Potentialy: Torp, Simms, Awoniyi, MVE, Yirenkyi,
Currently falling short: Grimes, Rushworth, EMC, Onyeka

Others not had enough time to form an opinion on.

 

[Martin180]

Look Prem: Rudoni, Thomas, Da Silva, Pinnock, Mfuni
Almost There: Sakamoto, BTA, Cherif
Potentialy: Torp, Simms, Awoniyi, MVE, Yirenkyi,
Currently falling short: Grimes, Rushworth, EMC, Onyeka

Others not had enough time to form an opinion on.

EMC looked a lot better last night , he started slowly in the Championship so I would give him time to adapt

 

[Username Required]

EMC looked a lot better last night , he started slowly in the Championship so I would give him time to adapt

Yes I agree with that, did more in the short time he was on that he had in the previous games put together. Took on his defender(s) a couple of times and put two great crosses in. Hopefully, a sign of things to come from him.

 

[Lamps]

Those that have struggled to make the step up
MVE, EMC, Sakamoto, Simms, Rushworth

Simms? Most of his minutes were against Arsenal. Nobody came out of the Arsenal game with a glowing report.

With Simms you're either happy with his holdup play and goalscoring rate or you're not. So far, including the Arsenal game which was his only start, he has 1 goal for his 117 minutes played.

Simms doesn't set the world alight with his play but he knows where the back of the net is. He has continued with his very good scoring rate. It's not a fail, it's an Ellis Simms.

 

[Old Warwickshire lad]

A world where there must have been a belief that they could step up and compete at premier league level.

And that’s our problem, too many people thought the squad we had could make the step up.
In reality this league is just a step too far for most.
Even Frank has said they were over performing in the championship.

 

[Cally Fedora]

And that’s our problem, too many people thought the squad we had could make the step up.
In reality this league is just a step too far for most.
Even Frank has said they were over performing in the championship.

I don’t think many did to be fair. But they were recognising the fact that a fair few would have to be given a go

 

[stupot07]

Simms? Most of his minutes were against Arsenal. Nobody came out of the Arsenal game with a glowing report.

With Simms you're either happy with his holdup play and goalscoring rate or you're not. So far, including the Arsenal game which was his only start, he has 1 goal for his 117 minutes played.

Simms doesn't set the world alight with his play but he knows where the back of the net is. He has continued with his very good scoring rate. It's not a fail, it's an Ellis Simms.

I like Simms and have been an advocate for him at times when every and I agree with everything you say. The reason I included him is he's obviously not doing enough to get game time. 70 mins against arsenal then just 45 mins since, and not brought on when we were 2-1 down chasing the game, instead he brought on a fullback.

 

[Lamps]

I like Simms and have been an advocate for him at times when every and I agree with everything you say. The reason I included him is he's obviously not doing enough to get game time. 70 mins against arsenal then just 45 mins since, and not brought on when we were 2-1 down chasing the game, instead he brought on a fullback.

It's not as simple as that.

Last season Simms needed less minutes per goal than anyone else. His stats were even better than the runaway top scorer for the Championship Vipotnik. He was good enough for the Championship but Lampard didn't pick him enough.

I've said all along it must be that Simms isn't the type of striker Lampard likes. Even when Wright went through times of not scoring Simms didn't get the chance his goals deserved.

Simms is strong and can hold the ball up, but he rarely takes on players and beats them. Lampard seems to prefer a striker who will run at players. Once Wright is back Simms will be totally out of the reckoning through no fault of his own.