Very similar to the early VK games

[Hipper]

The criticism of Benson would be fair if it was in the middle of the season. For a first appearance after who knows how long he did more in, well, twenty minutes, then Koleosho did in seventy - some shots, some crosses. OK, it was against ten men but even so.

[Colburn_Claret]

The criticism of Benson would be fair if it was in the middle of the season. For a first appearance after who knows how long he did more in, well, twenty minutes, then Koleosho did in seventy - some shots, some crosses. OK, it was against ten men but even so.

Benson did nothing, which is very similar to what Koleosho did.
I was talking to a group of young lads behind me on the way out, and we agreed he looked more like the Benson of his first 30 appearances, than the Benson of his last 10. That said I hope it isn't serious and he gets back soon, it's still nice to see him back.

Koleosho looked very good 1st half, but Rovers did a job of going in a little late, leaving a little afters, and attacking every header with elbows out. Not complaining, in their boots I would expect us to do the same. It was a horrible game for the referee to control, so he has my sympathy, but a stronger, more experienced, referee and they would have been lucky to finish with 9 men.

Despite their antics, the failure to win was solely down to us. We have to move the ball forward, quicker, and more often, and vary it a bit more. We need to get shots off more often, instead of trying to walk the ball into the net. All of which a settled side should be able to do better. In the circumstances I thought yesterday was very positive, and I can't wait for the rest of the season.

[Anonymous Claret]

How can people not see that because we went ahead early against Luton and Cardiff, they had to come onto us which meant that they defended higher up the pitch leaving space behind for us to exploit?

If Rovers hadn't equalised so soon after we scored the same thing may have happened yesterday.

[Ric_C]

It's very hard to work on patterns of play when we've lost 21 players and brought in 15. The international break has come at a great time for us. We will get better as the season progresses. Don't panic

I think we have a very good squad now which in theory can play in different ways and formations. My main concern is a lack of a true finisher, but I'm hoping Flemming will help us in that respect

[KateR]

It’s hard to understand the criticism and comparisons from numerous experts on here, we’re a few games in, numerous changes to players as noted. For me, I think Kompany had one style of playing and continually drilled and trained the players, regardless of the opposition. It’s just 4 games and from what bit I’ve seen, SP is looking at the opposition and will change tactics to combat the potential threats. He had a reasonable settled squad for the first two games, but definitely not the last two, I think there’s more first team players to integrate beyond yesterdays starting line up, Fleming being the notable one.

Therefore, I’ll reserve judgement on the manager, tactics and players for now, as we all know with the international break he has two weeks to assess and start deciding his best starting eleven. Hopefully Cullen is back training and features after the international break. However, even then I don’t expect us to be at our optimum force until October at the earliest, we just need to stay in touch of the leaders until then and slowly draw them back until we’re in the top two by January

Plus hope we don’t have a Jan window that affects what he has developed, with key players leaving.

Like many I think we’ve come out of the window with a very capable squad, so it’s down to SP now to get the best out of them.

[Darnhill Claret]

Don't think we'll have many games at home, similar to the away game at Luton.

I think we might see similar at Leeds. I think we'll be quick on the break and hopefully can capitalise on enough occasions to win the game.
At home if we can get around the full backs and cross into the box, we'll have the players in Foster and Flemming to take chances. Flemming is also good at driving into the box and creating chances from the chaos that brings.

Concerted pressure in and around their box in home games, will help, as we now have players with good feet, who will create chances for each other with one/twos.
Lots to look forward to.

[Darnhill Claret]

Got to say that Hannibal has grown since he last played here for Birmingham, and I like the look of CJ, criminally underused since first arriving, but maybe he needed two years to develop. If Sambo doesn't measure up, then CJ could be challenging Worrall and Roberts or deputise for either, should the need arise. Hope there isn't an issue with Sambo, and nothing more than Scotty currently preferring Roberts.
Like the way that Hannibal seems to have matured. At least his yellow card wasn't as a result of him losing his head.