Well, Tuesday night was a bit rubbish. But we didn't lose, so that's something... right? Unfortunately it was just about the only thing. Aside from seeing Paddy score. So let's talk about him for a bit...
Back in 2016 some bloke called Messi named Patrick Roberts among 10 up and coming youngsters he 'genuinely believed would go on to become superstars of the game in future years'. I bet Paddy's agent fell out his chair when he read that.
Inverted wingers? Apparently that's the name of the approach we've been employing recently - playing a left footed player on the right wing and vice versa. Playing with backwards wide men (mix tape dropping 2025) does have a number of benefits, though: They can cut side and shoot more easily, they create space for the fullback to overlap and cross 'properly' and they can switch play more easily.
It does however seem to me that it's harder to track back, and we can seemingly paint ourselves into a corner if they don't release the ball early enouugh. Our "left" wingers have almost got the hang of it. Whereas Paddy? He's about 80% there.
Dribbling - yep
Pace - yep
Vision - yep
Control - yep
Shooting - nope!
It's like someone having the body of a Greek god and the face of Piltdown man. That's probably the only example I won't get cancelled for. Probably, I said.
I do feel Patrick taken a lot of unfair flack lately, in what's arguably been his best season for us yet. I've been a fan of everything but his shooting. As Paddy stepped up to take the penalty against Sheffield United, I got a text from the missus downstairs saying 'What are you shouting at?! x'. I got a similar text in 2014 for making too much noise when Phil Bardsley scored against Man Utd during extra time in the League Cup semi-final. The text simply read 'Idiot!'. No 'x' that time. She must be getting used to it.
In the dying moments of a cold and seemingly fruitless evening, substitute Adil O'Cheese saw his time to shine. A winger crossing from the left, with his left foot? Imagine that.
Surprisingly, the run Paddy made to score was also on the left hand side, and after all that inverted business too. Go figure. Well done and well deserved Paddy. I really hope he does cut in from the right and score this season, but just because he deserves it. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be happy if he'd pack in trying.
As well as all that, Issy had another frustrating night. While he still caused them problems, he also caused us problems. He reminds me of a Spitfire - powerful, strong, fast. Unfortunately he also goes down like one. Which lead to a couple of chance going against us. I still like him as player, as you don't get many genuine nutcases (save O'9) who are decent players anymore, and he is just that. I saw him heckling the home fans from the bench when he got taken off at Luton. Lovely stuff. Shine On You Crazy Diamond.
I hope young Tommy is OK. Kicking a bairn. Fancy doing that?
Still unbeaten at home! Keep the faith.
