SHA Small Heath Alliance

Rab C Nesbitt

Agreed. That’s not horses for courses though.

I think the CD-Roberts thing is exactly a horses for courses thing.

Roberts had a really good game last night, as did everyone (maybe Beadle being the exception!). We very rarely play like that because we rarely get the opportunity to. Rightly or wrongly, the reason for Roberts inclusion, and our style of play, last night was predominantly due to who we were playing.

Southampton play such an open, expansive game, that they allow other teams space and opportunity to 'play football'. Their gamble is that they will create and exploit more opportunities than their opponents - and it works for them most of the time.

Our performance was so good last night, not only because we matched them offensively, but that we also restricted them to only a few good chances.

CD got the team selection bang on and every player was a 8/10.

Maybe the Wolves game will be similar and Roberts will start again, but against the dreaded low-block-and-hit-them-on-the-break teams, I still agree with CD (if indeed this is his reasoning) that the Roberts of last night simply isn't possible.

Maybe.

There are one or two highly educated posters on Smallheath Alliance, me being one which I know is an oxymoron when compared to rest. Thank You

Completely disagree. Against the low block teams you need someone who can open them up and Roberts is one of the few players we have that can do that.

Call me old fashioned but I think in a football match its quite a good idea to play your best footballer.

Yet the argument for playing Roberts is when we play low block teams and it’s said he wasn’t playing because we weren’t playing low block sides

Patrick Roberts delivered that performance at the right time. Ideally we would’ve wanted more signings yesterday but our number 16 sweetened the bad news with a kind of "remember me" display.

I feel he gives us different options as an attacking threat and makes us less predictable. Probably explains why he gets a few assists and the odd goal. He’s a quality player.

And he knows what it’s like to get promotion from this league. I’m just relieved we didn’t sell him (as at one point it looked inevitable recently).

Blueskyline

There are one or two highly educated posters on Smallheath Alliance, me being one which I know is an oxymoron when compared to rest. Thank You

Downvoted

Blueskyline

There are one or two highly educated posters on Smallheath Alliance, me being one which I know is an oxymoron when compared to rest. Thank You

Missed this earlier. Superb stuff

Spot on analysis

Clapton

In the matter of a few days he’s gone from not being good enough to someone we can’t afford to leave out.

I’m really chuffed for the fella I rate him highly.

Anyone who thought he wasn’t good enough needs to ask their optometrist to up their prescription.

He was great last night, direct, tracked back, provided many bums off seats moments, got the crowd going as well. All very positive. An assist also and could have had his own great solo effort.

His dribbling is remarkable, he looks quicker with the ball than without it, it's glued to his foot

Interested to see what he does on Sunday with 4 wingers available, he might be back out of the XI albeit he doesn't deserve it after last night

The 4 wingers (hopefully) available is the plus point. Probably will be Gray and Vicente but Roberts on at 60 minutes is a great option

I really hope CD doesnt drop him after that, would feel extremely harsh, if anything let him keep the momentum. Fingers crossed we see him start again, he might have some luck unlocking/pinning the dog heads back line further back.

I hope we use some of the week working on finishing...

Yeah I think he'll go Gray + Vicente, same team as Wrexham, with Roberts and Millar on for the last 20-30, obviously score and 'game state' dependent. Though I am ok with any combination.

I'd be very surprised if Gray starts - he did not look right last night and you've got Millar ready.