Lenny

Why did Bissouma not start today? He's the one several on here have said we should be looking at, right?

I think he's going to be a quality player, but I equally think that given how he plays, he's likely to make a costly rick or two as he gets up to speed.

Really can't fault his effort and he has a good 60% of the necessary tools to be a good player. Unfortunately the 40% he doesn't have is the critical part that makes him simply not good enough. On the assumption we stay up and invest as intended in the summer, I'd be wanting him sold. His ultimate lack of ability makes him just not dependable enough, even as a backup, for where our ambitions appear to be.

Was he? I thought he seemed to be still going strong in the closing stages today.

I thought he was our MotM today; for someone that was noticeably off the pace under Bruce he just relentlessly keeps going now. He seems to be adding to his game with every passing week too - from a limited hard working player to a pretty constant threat now, confident in taking a man on and backing himself to make intricate passes. You'd also think he was left footed given the number of crosses he put in with the left. Murphy really can learn a lot from Fraser - where Fraser gets an inch of space he crosses instantly, Murphy will take another touch or two, completely undoing the opportunity he's just earned himself.

I won't be having that

Sigh.

I am a bit concerned about how limited he's looked for us thus far. He certainly looks lacking in confidence, and we of all fans can see quite clearly how important confidence is, however he needs a break soon otherwise I feel we're going to pass him by with minimal impact. I'm sure he'll pick up a goal or two before the season's out however if this is his baseline then I'm not sure he's going to offer us anything beyond this season (provided we stay up); even as a squad player for where I expect we'll want to be competing.

Really like the look of him, he was instantly dictating the game after he came on and is the type of player that will make the pitch feel 10 yards wider each side. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if he makes a costly mistake or two as he gets used to the division. He seems to like to hold the ball whilst he's manoeuvring to make a progressive pass and can see him getting caught out as he gets up to speed.

I feel like I could rip apart every rating here north of the defence to the point that I don't have the energy to do so. Obsurd ratings.

You cant be unhappy with that. Not every opponent is going to turn up and be shit, it's been a very competitive game. We're both doing our parts and it can go either way. If we do lose from here it'll be disappointing but it won't be through lack of effort.

It is surprising to see comments such as "needs to pass more" and "frustrating" etc. being used in the context of last night's game in particular, because for me it was probably the best team performance I can recall seeing from him. His decision was much improved; he played far more simple passes when appropriate than usual, and still retained his usual threat with the ball at his feet. He put on countless simple and critical passes, and but for poor finishing should have had a few more assists to his name. That was a taste of the level of performance we could expect from him with a team of quality players around him (and as he himself becomes more accomplished). A performance like that in a good team and the score-line may well have been pushing a cricket score. Also, given how much he runs, I'm sure people seem to think that stamina is infinite; he worked himself to the ground for the full 90 minutes and was still going 100% in the closing minutes.

He's a brilliant player. Never really paid all that much attention to him prior to signing so naturally I'm surprised at how technically outstanding he is.

Wood has more than enough in him to contribute within a given remit as a squad player for a progressive and functioning team.

I think you have your expectations a little high if you think he'd not be a suitable squad player for where we're likely to be, heading into next season should we stay up.

Why would he not be in our squad next season if we stay up?

Well I 75% bit

Slightly, it's just ridiculous

Bit harsh calling him a "worth nothing" even if he has fallen from grace of late.

He's looked a touch sharper the last week or two and clearly benefitting from the improved fitness the players now have.

Can't say I agree with a lot of those ratings on the previous page or so, but the verdict on ASM in particular was pretty rotten and smack of the analysis of someone that simply doesn't like him. He was noticeably more involved in team build up play yesterday, not to mention that he laid on several good chances that we really should have done better with. The nod to Wood and the lay on to Fraser stands to out. He also had every right to be livid for a couple of challenges on him that went un-punished.

Love the term Charlie Big Potato. The song's class too.

I've really bounced back and forth on my opinion of Fraser the last few weeks. At times he's looked to be showing signs of improvement, particularly with his pressing and ability to deliver a decent cross, but more often than not he just seems too one-dimensional and lacks any real explosive pace to make him an effective player given his key strength (crossing).

The biggest worry is that any goal in this game will result in them mentally crumbling. A hard grafted 0-0 seems the most logical thing to hope for.

I thought his passing was superb, as usual. Couple of times he chased and abandoned his position, but he's clearly streets ahead of everyone else in our team in terms of ability and assertiveness.