• 12 Aug 2023, 3:28 p.m.

    Agreed. The save from the deflected shot in the second half was better than decent.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 3:30 p.m.

    Gah! You're right. Still destroyed our shape.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 3:36 p.m.

    That's a dig. He was beaten at his near post and his kicking was very underwhelming. It wasn't a car crash but he's not as good as Navas or Henderson and we should be looking for better. Ok rather than good. Granted he has only been with us for a few days and there are things which we can expect will improve, but I can't see him being our only keeper signing regardless of what happens with Henderson .

  • 12 Aug 2023, 3:42 p.m.

    That movement for the goal is exactly the sort of movement I want to see my striker make. It's the sort that Kane doesn't. It completely changes the dynamics of defending.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 3:47 p.m.

    He was beaten with a deflection and, other than the blocked clearance, his kicking was easily as good as Henderson or Navas.

    Think I still prefer Henderson, he has more presence, but Turner is fine and I'd stick with him if Henderson was available on Friday(I realise he won't be, regardless).

  • 12 Aug 2023, 3:48 p.m.

    The ball carrying and cross from Elanga was fantastic but Taiwo's movement was top-drawer. Virtually impossible to defend against that when running back towards your goal full tilt. The more I see of Taiwo, the more I like him. If he can stay fit, we've got a chance of looking towards mid-table this season.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 3:48 p.m.

    Presume you mean Awoniyi goal. He was being laughed at for spooning his first few goals into the net like they were flukes last season but you are right his movement and positioning is first rate. He is a poacher as well as a fast moving unit.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 3:50 p.m.

    Henderson can't kick either but his presence, communication and acro/aero-batics are better.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 4 p.m.

    I was quite comfortable with him. He's quick and reactive, rather than a presence. No chance for either of the goals (although if he had no reactions he might have been stood in the way of the deflected first - but then he wouldn't have stopped the second deflected one for a top save). Clearly more comfortable throwing than kicking. What I liked was the focus. He's got the eye of the tiger.

    A Marco Pascolo debut it was not.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 4:12 p.m.

    Yes, I thought Turner was good. Except the early incident when NKetiah intercepted his attempted clearance. That could have been embarrassing. After that he played well, not to blame for the goals imo. Aina looked the part again, especially given the near impossible task of keeping Saka quiet. And great assist from Elanga, well taken by Taiwo. All very promising. But our failure to hold onto the ball... really needs sorting out.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 4:16 p.m.

    Point of order, m'lud. I was at Pascolo's debut at Port Vale in August 1997. It was an unconvincing 1-0 win and I don't recall the new goalkeeper being problematic that day (although you may do if your memory is better than mine).

    His next two games were 8-0 and 4-1 wins before the horror show against (Frank's?) Manchester City under the floodlights at the City Ground, which probably prompted Harry to get on the blower to Dave Beasant.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 4:39 p.m.

    Your point is well taken. But I was using MP as a benchmark for performance, and talking about Turners debut. Badly expressed.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 6:28 p.m.

    On the down side, I thought Aurier was poor and slow. Williams and Anal to start the next match please.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 6:38 p.m.

    Wonder whether he might be tempted to go to a back 4 to cram in Taiwo, Johnson, Elanga and MGW.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 6:40 p.m.

    Not only that but I thought his hold up play was better than I remember it. Pretty sure I saw a couple of moments where it looked like he’d run into trouble down the right and would lose it, only to turn and pass it back well and get the passage of play started again.

  • 12 Aug 2023, 6:41 p.m.

    I could see that as an option that would be extremely exciting one way or the other.