The Kraken

Fair enough, gave a bit more leverage. Still a decent fee imo. Will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Very sorry to see him go, but inevitable once a PL club comes in. That sort of money also just can’t be turned down at our level. Given he’s only got a year left of his contract it’s a large fee.

I suggested pre game it was perhaps his last chance to convince Tonda that he has a role here, and he couldn’t have done anything more to prove that he just doesn’t fit into our system as a central striker. Just looked horrendously poor. The fact that others were also off colour, particularly in the first half, doesn’t in any way mask how bad BBD looked and how little he gave the team as an outlet. It’s getting a bit worrying that we have no other striking option apart from Larin (Archer gives us something different but not the focal point we clearly need for our system). Maybe that’ll be enough, but I thought the way we were able to dovetail Cyle and LND last season kept both of them fresh and sharp. Maybe we were spoiled and one striker will be ok. Big risk though. BBD showed he is no backup whatsoever.

Tbf, I quite enjoyed Tonda being asked about it pre-game. ”Given the rumours of Shea Charles being linked with a move to Fulham, what does him being on the bench tell us?” ”That he’s a Southampton player”.

Breaching GDPR 🤣 🤣

Just reinforces how much a strong spine is vital. Changing Bazunu and Armstrong/Archer for Peretz and Stewart/Larin made the biggest differences last term. Having a four of Downes, Charles, Jander and Bragg was a privilege. Big chance for Bragg to be more of a CM cog if Charles goes as expected. Thank god the Bazunu experiment is over (as you say, hopefully). His disastrous spell at Stoke really only served to enforced his quite obvious flaws.

Second half much better but that’s understandable, Colchester pressed really well in the first half but couldn’t keep it up. Our lot seemed to gain in confidence, having big Cyle up top made a massive difference. Azaz for me ahead of Dobbin so far. Delighted for the lad Romeo, great finish to culminate a super move. Braggy in midfield really shored it up too. Our formation just relies on a big man up top and a strong two sitting in midfield. Jander is a miss but hopefully Bragg and Downes do the job until he’s back. Manning’s delivery is quality. When he’s on it, he’s one of the best at this level.

Lovely goal, lovely finish.

Yay

I’m choosing to decide that this is still pre season and Watford is a whole another week of preparation away yet….

Pundits just said BBD has the fewest touches of anyone on the pitch, with 9. Surprised it was that many tbf. Hopefully big Cyle is available for a 45 minute run out. Also not enjoying Mat-ser-kee in CM. Aside from that, it’s our first team (Azaz aside) so not good at all.

Yep. Will Still’s tenure demonstrated that we missed a focal point up front. Getting Stewart back and then Larin in allowed the team play the way it should. This is like watching us with Armstrong or Tasmin up front on their own again.

At least with Carlton Palmer his second touch was a tackle. I’ve seen traffic cones hold the ball better than BBD.

Better.

BBD scored 6 goals in the Premier League in just under half a season. Lord knows how.