Just back (merged)

I watched that game with a smile on my face for the majority of it, was just simply enjoyable to watch.

So, so encouraging that we're capable of that standard of football and you can only hope it gets better.

I thought Hunt and Ainley both made great shouts for a start in the next game, Hunt is a completely different animal when he's got the shackles off him.  As much as I've shouted for Hunt to get a chance, I was a bit sceptical when he was paired with Conteh once Glennon went off.  I think I was almost expecting it to become two deep lying midfielders when it was more like two No 8's allowed to switch between attacking and defending.  When Ainley came in they seemed to just have this perfect little triangle working at times.

I really like Gnahoua in the No 10 role too, his quick feet and work-rate were a real asset.

Standard well and truly set.

Quoted from devs

Sutton and MK Dons are about as far apart in football style as you can get
Sutton are brutal and ugly and we got dragged into their style - hence turgid performance
MK play good stuff and allowed us to play
- we went toe to toe with a very good passing team who were L1 last season
Shows where our strength is in terms of players

Hunt, Clifton, Conteh could be midfield three
I think Ainlee will push for a place - he looks a good footballer

Khan, Eisa, Wilson (Vernam when fit) all need to do much more on a regular basis; they don't affect games enough

Harsh on Khan that, in my opinion. He was good last night, he's tidy and doesn't give the ball away. Decent work rate too, which is more than can be said for Eisa. I think Khan fits in better with where we're hopefully going than Eisa. I'd argue that if Khan is allowing Glennon to get into more advanced positions then he is affecting the game.

Good point on Khan allowed Glennon to be a bit more attacking.  

I like Khan but always felt that he doesn't have enough of an output from his game, but you could see last night how he could quite nicely fit in with this style of play.  Quick feet, nippy off the ball, decent movement with it and happy to hassle defenders.

So easy to get excited after one performance but there suddenly seems to be loads of options in key positions.  Can't recall who said it, apologies, but it definitely feels a bit like it's not a case that our players weren't good enough - just that they weren't getting used in the right way.  Davies and Pearson gave them a confidence boost in recent weeks but Artell looks to have really given them belief (based on last night anyway).

Quoted from diehardmariner

I watched that game with a smile on my face for the majority of it, was just simply enjoyable to watch.

So, so encouraging that we're capable of that standard of football and you can only hope it gets better.

I thought Hunt and Ainley both made great shouts for a start in the next game, Hunt is a completely different animal when he's got the shackles off him.  As much as I've shouted for Hunt to get a chance, I was a bit sceptical when he was paired with Conteh once Glennon went off.  I think I was almost expecting it to become two deep lying midfielders when it was more like two No 8's allowed to switch between attacking and defending.  When Ainley came in they seemed to just have this perfect little triangle working at times.

I really like Gnahoua in the No 10 role too, his quick feet and work-rate were a real asset.

Standard well and truly set.

Agree. I like Gnahoua and would go as far as saying that after Rose and Conteh he was our next best signing this summer. I think he's a clever player too and beyond the obvious ability that Eisa has to tw@t it in from 30 yards, I actually think Gnahoua gives defences more to think about.

Got to say that Kamil Conteh was a revelation last night.

Stats said 97% pass completion success.

That didn't take into account how many times he received passes in poor or tight situations and made the right moves to retain the ball safely, and then pass to a Town player.

If looking at tv stats, our team pass success went up to an overall 85%, which has jumped from the last fame which was around 65%.

The quality of retention can be seen by non stat loving fans by  praise for those selected along with the subs.

What a difference 1 hour of concentrated training has achieved to raise the team spirit and endeavour.

Moving onwards !

Well what a performance. I turned up expecting a defeat but hoping for a win. Straight from the KIck off i was purring. the ball was played back and we passed it not hoofed it up front. Great to see, I still do not know why teams who want to play possession football but hoof it from the kick off, a pleasing site. They absolutely scared me silly with the passing at the back but they did not panic and looked comfortable.  If Artell can do that after one training session then all looks good.  it was crisp one touch football at times and players working with and for each.A delight to see. Conteh looked very comfortable in midfield and Glennon on the left was a good outlet. Then Mullarky was the outlet in the second half. Just a bit better finishing and we could have won that game. the only downside was we didn't press there defence enough like they did to use. But a delight if not scary at times until we get used to this style of play. It looked like Artell had turned us in Man city at times. things are looking good from one game anyway.

Quoted from acko338

Got to say that Kamil Conteh was a revelation last night.

Stats said 97% pass completion success.

That didn't take into account how many times he received passes in poor or tight situations and made the right moves to retain the ball safely, and then pass to a Town player.

Yep, Conteh was very good last night. One thing you don't see him always get the credit for, probably because he has other more obvious attributes, is his engine. He puts in a right shift more often than not.

I thought we were much better in those tight spots all round too, not just Conteh. MK Dons are a pressing side off the ball too from what I gather, so it wasn't a case of them giving us too much space. We just moved the ball quicker and had the confidence to play the ball early.

Quoted from listy

They absolutely scared me silly with the passing at the back

You and me both! That's going to take a bit of getting used to, I think.

Can last night put to bed the notion that the summer recruitment was excrement? The players are more than good enough but have just been coached pretty poorly.

Quoted from Grantley

Can last night put to bed the notion that the summer recruitment was excrement? The players are more than good enough but have just been coached pretty poorly.

Personally I always thought we had good players but could not understand why we played crap.

I go back to the first half at Bradford when we were brilliant. Bradford allowed us to play. Last night it sounds like MKD allowed us to play in the first half. Our next challenge is how to win ugly against teams of scrappers.

Quoted from IlkleyMariner

Personally I always thought we had good players but could not understand why we played crap.

I go back to the first half at Bradford when we were brilliant. Bradford allowed us to play. Last night it sounds like MKD allowed us to play in the first half. Our next challenge is how to win ugly against teams of scrappers.

They tried to press us multiple times, we played through it beautifully.