There were genuine positives in how the team reshaped after the break. Switching into what looked like a 4-1-4-1 gave us more balance and the game flowed better for spells. You could see the plan—compact through the middle and options out wide—and that’s something to build on.
Midfield shape and who should wear the pivot
Raskin had a rough afternoon. He was often out of position and, to be honest, looked like he was unsettling the shape rather than helping it. That’s not a personal dig so much as an observation: if the guy in front of the back four isn’t glued to the right spaces, the whole shape suffers. I’d like to see Neil given a run in that spot to see if he steadies things. It felt like when someone sat in that pivot properly, the back four had more cover and we could move the ball with less panic.
Bright sparks and basics done well
Penrice was excellent. Proper reading of the game, got forward without losing the simple stuff, and gave Gassama the space and support down the left. That sort of balance is vital—attack with purpose but don’t forget the basics. As for Big Manny, he’s clearly got the tools. If he starts getting to loose balls quicker and simplifying his game a bit, he’ll cause problems. He’s young; long term there’s quality there, but right now it’s about doing the fundamentals consistently.
Culture shift and a sour finish
What stood out most was how the team reacted to mistakes. When someone slipped up there was a bounce-back instinct from the players—everyone trying to pick each other up. That kind of unity is sometimes forgotten, but you could see a cultural shift on the pitch today. It felt like a group trying to buy into a plan.
On the downside, after the game I was waiting with my son and noticed Miovski leave looking well out of sorts. Godfrey stayed and signed for ages, chatting with fans, which was class, but Miovski walked straight past without engaging. Not the best look and you could tell he was unhappy. Maybe he was frustrated with his performance or something else, but it was noticeable.
All told, a win with positives and clear areas to tidy up. Let’s hope the shape and the spirit hold up for the next one.
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