We did well throughout the first half. John Akinde and Matt Green (pictured top) took the first steps towards their devastating partnership but I was sad to hear the Matt Green doubters coming out in force again. It really annoys me that some fans need a scapegoat and there’s been ‘jokes’ on social media about him being offside too much. I’m beginning to wonder if he’s our Raheem Sterling, the mobile and live wire centre forward who damages sides as much without the ball as he does with it. When he’s making runs, he’s pulling the defence out of shape and not every run is intended to get the ball. This was never ever more than at Wembley when he turned in a strong display despite barely getting a touch.
He scored 17 goals last season and with John Akinde he is one of two striker instantly recognised as quality at this level. Why must we decide he’s not up to the job when he clearly is? It’s a huge shame, genuinely.
I also liked the trialist I assume to be Adam Crookes, but I’m well aware I got attached to a couple of trial players last season and we didn’t end up signing them. Something tells me we won’t see any of the trialists again, apart from maybe the centre back. Danny’s interview with Mark Whiley after the game suggested he’s going to wait, rather than move now.
The shape went in the second half as the players came and went, with Wednesday bringing on Fernando Forestieri who, from my FLW work, I know to be far and away their best player. Aside from him I thought they looked bang average and knowing how competitive the Championship is, they’ll need some work before the season starts.
Lee Shaw did well when he came on, they’re tough games to play in but he was full of willing running. It struck me as amusing that his running and endeavour was praised whereas Green, who offer virtually the same all first half, was (around me at least) widely thought to be not doing much. I worry we might not see Lee Shaw at City, Danny doesn’t seem keen to commit one of his four or five remaining places on a project which is a shame. I’m not one to criticise, but surely with the extra money we made from last night alone we could hand Lee Shaw a six-month deal and give him the chance he deserves. The fans would love to see it and there’s always the dying embers of a Checkatrade game to give him some senior football. if we don’t see him, I fully expect the Pilgrims will benefit from our reluctance to move and who knows, maybe in two or three years his name will be as recognisable as Ricky Miller.
Finally, we saw the debut of big John Akinde. I know he was on in the first half and I’ve waited until the end of the article to mention him with good reason; he looked the business. He didn’t score and he wasn’t exactly in top gear, but just his build and the way he moves gave off an air of ‘quality’. He spurned his first chance and I saw it described as a potential ‘dream start’, but non of this matters. When we’re at Northampton in a couple of weeks time, then it matters. If he bags after two minutes then, it will be a dream start.
So, on to Hull City on Wednesday, ‘behind closed doors’ sadly but further indication that Danny is ensuring we get minutes, not results in this summer of hope.
Good article again Gary and I to feel Lee shaw is worth a chance, he was really sharp against championship defences and didn’t look lost at all so against our level he could find his level. He gave Stewart a go last season and I rate shaw better prospect
Spot on Gary!
Greeny is class, you’ve forgotten more than the ones criticising him know.
Shaw looks good for a punt to me, not sure the lad from forest is all that though, difficult & daft to judge on one game though.
Was talking to a couple of Wednesday fans on the train Saturday, they were impressed by us and could not get over how loud the support was.