Subs are always a risk when legs are getting tired and we're playing a decent side. It's a no win situation for Phelan; try to make a change or stick with a setup that isn't producing goals. Football is cruel; Mbokani deserved something today and really made us appreciate his ability. As a team in 20th place we really set ourselves up and played to take points today. Sadly it wasn't to be, but I feel so much better about this team than I did a month or so ago despite our league position. Shame about our owners...
According to NBC commentator (ex-Arse) Lee Dixon, we were "the boys in orange and black". At least Arlo White had us in Amber and Black. Good game. I really like Mbokani, against whom countless bad fouls went unpunished. Reminds me of Drogba.
The match report in the Guardian singles out 'Mbokani up front and Turner at the back' as our star larkers! Back to the future.
It is almost as bad as being completely ignorant to the fact that taking off a key player drew pressure onto the defence and allowed Man City to set up camp in our half. Edit: You mean Huddlestone coming off.
Anyone mentioned marshalls **** kicking?? Obviously this will draw scorn from the usual simperers. But FFS why keep kicking to Snodgrass when Mbokani has the **** CB on toast. To be fair anyone but a ****ing dwarf could beat Otamemdi in the air. Why the **** didn't we see stick Harry up front for the last ten minutes??
probably cos he's got more points on the board than Brucie did from the same games 2 years ago/ last seasons promoted teams - at least we don't have to put up with the worst case of nepotism ever to blight our game anymore - I see fatty managed to beat Burton with a £50 million team today
Just had a look on 'FMTTM' and it's both comforting and reassuring to see their armchair managers place the blame fairly and squarely on the shoulders of Aitor Karanka and his 'in game management' decisions at Burnley today.
Taking the mighty Tom off? The worst managerial decision since Alf so called Ramsey pulled off Bobby Charlton verses Germany in 1970. Is Phelan a ****ing idiot? He's sure acting like one. Mason and Henriksen are ****e. If they are the future of this club then we are as ****ed as a twopenny whore at a 50℅ off brothel with reduced rates for twosomes.
He played well doing what he does, but if he had any pace he'd have been much more of a threat today. There were a couple of times when we got the ball in behind for him and he couldn't outrun their defenders. If he'd just been able to get ahead then it suddenly becomes very hard to stop him without a foul which would be a red card. Because he didn't have that, the defender was just in front every time and ended up getting the soft free kick their way.
We lost our shape and seemingly invited pressure with Huddlestone's removal. Mason was an non-entity in midfield unfortunately. Nobody is linking the two as cause and effect as a direct thing but it changed the pattern of play definitely. The substitution also killed the atmosphere as, after a few NO chants, the stands seemed to silence.
The players didn't look tired. They'd had a longer midweek break than normal too (Sat to following Monday) so I doubt he brought Hudd off because he was tired.
Said this after the West Ham game on that match thread. Kicking is really poor. Most went out of play or to a Man City player.
