A few things from yesterday

[Chris]

First of all I thought Ryan Spencer looked a lot more comfortable in central midfield and had his best game for Slough so far. So maybe Ryan is better in the middle than out wide.

 

Also although Gilkes scored twice playing up front I don't think it will work all the time. In my opinion Sammy needs a tall target man to play off and he did not look happy yesterday. I'd put Hale back in and push Gilkes back to left wing otherwise Barras will be a bit exposed on that side. Playing Boot up front with Sammy does not work.

 

Adrian Blake. I thought he did well yesterday. He was in goal at a short notice. There was one point when he punched the ball out and someone shouted catch it. The conditions yesterday made goalkeeping hard, especially with the wind, so punching was the right idea in my opinion.

 

Daly and Barras were superb.

 

Although Palmer has done well, I'd still pick Ant Howard over him when he comes back. I know Howard can play centre back, but he seems to play a lot better as a right back.

 

Anyone got any other thoughts?

[GarySTFC]

Spencer had a good game and I thought some of the things Byron Bubb did were quite good, especially his first touch, for the majority, it was superb when bringing the ball down.

 

Thought Barras and Daly were again exemplary, but with Deano injured, surely that paves a way back in for Howard at right back? Then maybe Deano can play right wing when he regains fitness.

 

Thought Blake was OK without doing anything special. Was one instance in the second half where he pushed a ball away where he should have let it come into his body, and he's also done it a few times in the reserves which is a small concern, but did make two good saves and the communication is bound to be better from him to his back line that DJZ.

 

Now, Gilkes. Everyone who reads here knows I'm not a fan, and I think the stick he was getting was deserved but shouldn't have been made. He was having a poor game and fortunately he took that stick in the right manner and responded by raising his game.

 

Will be interested to see who we draw and just hope we avoid the big guns and can get through to the first round proper with a home draw. A home draw tomorrow morning would also be nice.

[BARRINGTON]

I'd rather put Howard back in at centre back and leave Palmer on the right because Ricky Browne hasn't impressed me at all in the centre of defence. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wavey.gif" alt="" />