THE CONCRETE ROUNDABOUT (TCR)

I do agree that it is frustrating when Harvie seems to just stop when in a dangerous position, almost overthinking and killing the momentum. I do want to see more from him in terms of assists. However I did feel a bit sorry for him yesterday as Parrott was rarely in the box when he should have been. Comparing him this season to Sorinola of last season is a little unfair I think, Sorinola had a clear target man in the box in Jerome, as well as Morris and Grigg featuring up top throughout the season too. This year we don't seem to play with as much of a target man/striker on the last man, so I'd be intrigued as to whether Sorinola would be as affective. That being said, Sorinola only managed 4 assists and 1 goal last season, with 3 of those assists coming in one game. Harvie chipped in with 3 goals and 3 assists despite making 5 fewer starts.

I'm not really sure if we will see Josh Martin in a full back role, I think if Manning wanted him there he would have done it by now as he seems more than happy to rotate the right sided wing back. I think Martin at WB was a Russ project, and was an option before we signed Kioso or Watson.

I'm pretty sure start of season i said some wild stuff about Harvie getting double figures in goals and assists this season which might've been a bit keen but he can at least match last seasons output. I think it's clear to see he's not an out and out starter for us in terms of the level of quality we have through the rest of the squad but if LWB is our weakest position with Harvie and Jules covering it then we can't be in that bad a place. That being said i'd be shocked if we get to the end of January and we haven't brought in competition down that side even if it just means a loanee.

I also saw the key passes stat being thrown about and whilst i'm not sure exactly what that is defined as i wonder if he's just gotten unlucky with chances he's created being missed. We've started well but there's obviously another gear to go in terms of how clinical we can be and personally i hope we see 2 up top again when Watters and Eisa are back and fit which should help these numbers even more.

I wasn't at the game Saturday, regrettably but I wasn't that impressed against Pompey and thought he was arguably our worst player that day among a great team performance. Similarly at Cheltenham. Thought he was great at times last season so I'm giving the be fit of the doubt.

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"It's not about hoping this little moment will change our momentum, its about our daily actions and courage in everything we do.. We've got to stop believing in fairytales"

- Graham Alexander, October 2023

Has got to stop diving. Clearly hasn't learnt his lesson from Lincoln.

Went down far too easily last night and put us under pressure more then once in the second half

Was fuming. It was the exact same dive that he did to give the penalty away. Imagine if they had scored from that free kick last night, considering it was right at the end of the game..

Mo Eisa is just as bad (at diving). He fell over in the penalty area second half instead of battling and getting a shot in (or maybe we're so used to the likes of Benik and Jabo?)

Thing is Harvie is doing it when there is a credible attack on our goal instead of actually defending/getting rid of the ball...

I don't think he is diving. He is such a lightweight he gets knocked over by the lightest of tackles.

Daniel Harvie, a Haiku:

Hesitates greatly
Student of Lewie dive school
Needs more end product

love this - not enough haiku in the world