My thoughts on the game (for what they're worth!)

Really enjoyed the game, thought we dominated for long periods and played some good stuff. Surprisingly I think a few players seemed to be nervous in the first half, Wessi and WFLGH being the main two. Holt looked off the pace but improved as the game went on and was putting himself about well in the second half.

At the time I could see why they gave the penalty, it was "one of those" that you see given a lot. Looking at it on the highlights link posted below though, it was never a pen. Awful decision by the linesman. The boy Franco should have been booked for diving to try to win a second pen later in the half.

Thought Lambert got his tactics spot on starting with Morison up front with Holt and also putting Croftsy straight back in to the team. Added some much needed steel against a physical team and made sure we had people playing the diamond that are very used to doing so.

Bennett looked good when he came on although he looked a bit lazier than the other players if anything. Wasn't as quick to track back as you need to be playing on the right hand side of the diamond. Another reason why Crofts selection was essential I think. Am sur ethat Lambert will instill that work ethic in all new recruits given time though.

Defence looked pretty solid although individual mistakes crept in at times, most notably to give Franco a run to win the penalty. I like De Laet, seems to read the game well and has pace to burn, which is key against the attackers in this league. Would imagine he'll be a fixture throughout the season. I'd worry if Ward was one of our two CBs this season as think faster strikers would nip past him too easily. Tierney was the better fullback and coped well with Moses when he went over to his side. R Martin struggled with Moses's pace at times.

All-in-all a very promising performance. I've got every confidence that we'll stay up this season with Lambo at the helm. He's a ridiculously good manager, we're very lucky to have him at the helm (although he is getting rewarded handsomely for being there!). Won't get to another game now until October but looking foward to watching them all on streams. Did it look like a draw was a fair result watching it on TV today? I'd imagine you get a different opinion to those behind one of the goals at the ground.

Atmosphere was great, didn't stop singing. We were about 10 rows from the front so well placed to hear that. Everyone stood up the whole match.

Took my 4.5yr old nephew for the first time. After covering his ears for the first 15mins he gradually got used to the atmosphere and I think enjoyed it. Spent a lot of time playing games on his mum's iPhone though! Glad he knows what going to a football match is like now. Got filmed coming out of the ground with him on my shoulders waving an inflatable canary. Not sure who's the camera was (Sky, BBC, Canaries World!) but will hopefully get shown!

Player ratings as follows:

Ruddy - 7
R Martin - 6
De Laet - 7
Whitbread - 6
Tierney - 7
Fox - 7
Crofts - 8
Surman - 6
Wessi - 7
Horse - 6
Morison - 7

Plenty of room for us to grow and improve, which I'm sure we will as the squad gels. It will be a very enjoyable season I think.

OTBC!

Posted By: JD3, Aug 13, 20:55:11