Ok, it is only one match, but I am really hoping that this is a sign of JRod getting back to proper match fitness. In his first season he took quite a long time to settle, and show his true qualities at a higher level than he had previously been playing, and many, myself included, doubted whether he would make the step up. It is because he did come through and prove himself then, that I have never written him off during his long battle back to fitness now. There is a massive difference between being fit and being match fit, and we will now hopefully see the benefits of Puel giving him game time, even when he wasn't firing on all cylinders. Could this be the equivalent to Pelle being injured last season, and Koeman having to include Long, leading to improved performances? #feelinghopeful
Clatts was excellent I thought. Handled Boufal's trip well, booked him for diving which was spot on. No huge decisions to make and he is basically a celeb ref, but he gets so much criticism sometimes its unreal, he's the second best ref in the league IMO behind Oliver (those two a lot better than some of the others).
Austins Injury could be the best thing that has happened to Jay Rod... If we can Get Jay firing again, and a Striker in Jan will be huge for us. We should quite easily be top of the second Premier league.
Here's hoping we continue to see an improvement in Jay's - and hopefully soon Shane's - form, while continuing with the "conservative" football that sees us keep the ball and not concede. Defending set pieces is a bit of an Achilles heel though. Zonal marking, is it? Not sure, but it has been a weakness so far this season.
No the setup is good, just really poor concentration. Hjojb was ball watching so didn't stay with his man as we pushed out, and had no idea what was going on as the cross came in.
Very true, but even if we mark man to man, you still have to watch where your man is. Højbjerg was looking everywhere except where Aké was for their goal. Not to mention Clasie having to mark Josh King, who is about 5 times his size!
"Jay has got into better positions the last two games. Yes, he missed a couple of sitters but last season and earlier this, he was anonymous. I have not given up hope. A cliche I know, but form in temporary, class is permanent. Getting your feet tangled doesn't look like the result of an incomplete recovery from injury. It looks like a loss of confidence/form/belief. I so want him to score a goal. I so want Shane to score. These two could come good. I hope that they do because I am doubtful that we will sign another striker in January. Thursday at 12:30 AM" What I wrote on the 'Boro match thread. If Shane scores a brace against Spurs, I am going change my handle to MysticFodder. Or The StrikerWhisperer. Or summat.
