Saturday 28th August, Championship.
Credit must go to Simon Grayson for masterminding this afternoon’s victory against Watford. Faced with a selection headache due to Davide Somma and Max Gradel’s availability following suspension, and Ross McCormack’s signing yesterday, he opted to leave all three on the bench in favour of the same eleven who beat Millwall last week.
Kasper Schmeichel was commanding. Faced with numerous balls into the box, it was his presence in his area that was tested more than his shot-stopping. He excelled on both counts. The win, though, was built on our two central defenders. Richard Naylor and Neill Collins have come in for some deserved criticism recently after costly mistakes, but both were outstanding today. Watford played numerous long balls and bombarded our penalty area, but Naylor and Collins dealt with the aerial danger excellently, and the former scored the winning goal at the other end following a goalmouth scramble. Question marks remain about their ability to deal with quick passes along the deck, but today they were solid in the air.
Paul Connolly and Federico Bessone, at full-back, were competent but untroubled. Watford’s insistence on long balls meant they were bypassed on the wings. Bessone’s injury meant Andrew Hughes played the second-half at left-back, and although he was troubled, our defence was a unit this afternoon. Whether or not Hughes can step in long-term in that position at a higher level remains to be seen.
Lloyd Sam, given the nod over Max Gradel on the right-wing, was full of energy. He was replaced by Gradel on the hour, who also threatened, and looks like he will be our right winger for the majority of the season when he displaces Sam. Neil Kilkenny and Jonny Howson got a bruising today against an aggressive midfield. As well as they coped, a natural defensive midfielder would have been preferable in this kind of game. On the left Bradley Johnson had a good game, having a couple of decent shots and putting in a shift on the team’s behalf.
Luciano Becchio acted as a decent battering ram up-front. His hard work is vital, but if he is unable to score as many goals as the likes of Somma, Robert Snodgrass or Billy Paynter potentially have in them, his place in the team could be threatened. Alongside the Argentine, Grayson kept faith with Sanchez Watt, whose pace caused Watford’s problems. Watt could have had a goal if his finishing is sharpened. He was replaced for the final 20 minutes by McCormack, and the debutant looked lively. He made a difference, and tested the goalkeeper twice in a promising cameo.
Our second league win in a row surely makes it impossible for Grayson to change his team. With two weeks until the visit of Swansea, though, there is ample time for our strong-looking substitutes to play their way onto the pitch.
James Dielhenn.
