Have to say once again nothing but positives for me. Really impressive performance and we deserved a win in all honesty. Shame we couldn't get if we're saving that win for the opening day I won't mind
Really pleased with the midfield trio of Reed, Vrancic and Maddison. Would say those 3 were probably our 3 best players, particularly first half. Reed is great on the ball and looks as if he could have a key role in this Farke side. Brilliant at linking the defence and midfield and not afraid to get stuck in either. Vrancic is such a tidy player and has so much composure. If he's as good as he's looked in pre-season then we've got a superb player on our hands. Nearly scored a brilliant goal from the half-way line as well, which shows the sort of player he is. Maddison was quiet 2nd half but first half looked dangerous and it's clear he isn't afraid to run at opposition defences.
Wildschut for the 2nd game in a row was a revelation down the right hand side. Very quick, powerful and direct and caused trouble a number of times down our right. Watkins was a bit quieter than he was in the game I watched against Arminia, but his goal was an absolute belter! Wonderful goal. Jerome was a bit quiet as well but ultimately didn't do anything wrong. Have to say though my one reservation about what I've seen from this side so far is Husband. He's good with the ball and also a threat going forward, but defensively he does appear to be a bit of a weak link. Brighton's goal came from his flank and in general every time they threatened it appeared to be down that side. He was better 2nd half though to be fair. Zimmermann and Franke both solid but unspectacular, as I've said previously though both players are very comfortable on the ball. Martin also decent enough, didn't offer the same sort of threat going forward as Husband offered on the other side however hopefully next week Pinto will replace him in the team. Gunn had nothing really to do.
Brighton's goal was an odd one really. The cross didn't seem particularly dangerous, and Gross, the Brighton player, was facing away from goal when he flicked the ball on, but it just seemed to glance off his head and deceive everyone as it looped into the corner. Our goal though was fantastic, smashing strike by Watkins. We were so unlucky as well not to win it when Oliveira hit the post at the end. It really was something out of nothing, he was almost standing still when with one touch he moved the ball out of his feet and then smashed it from 25 yards out. 'Keeper was beaten (he was tiny by the way their goalkeeper) he was just fortunate it wasn't 2 inches to the left.
On our style, not a lot else that I can say that I didn't in the post a few posts up after our game against Arminia. Kept possession brilliantly and played out from the back. The only thing I would say is we moved the ball slightly quicker and with a bit more purpose than we did a couple of games ago. Whether that was our players have adapted to the style more, whether it was putting Reed into the holding role ahead of the less technically gifted Tettey, or whether it was we were at home, or against better opposition I don't know.
But yeah, really impressed overall, and actually feeling good going into next week.
