I guess I’ve seen matches where we’ve lost but had a better player and they’ve not got MOTM. They never seem to give it to a player on the losing side. Maybe Gracia should’ve got it for getting 3 points two weeks running after making subs?
How can you give MOTM to someone who missed a complete sitter of a header? True he had little support all game but he missed a number of chances especialy that header. Working hard only should not make you MOTM
I think the referee should have been given it. He made some decisions that made him stand out from the scrapiness around him
Mariappa was probably ours but they hardly give it to a defender ... Surprised they didn't give it to Troy really as he scored! Rondon was ok but as said missed a few good chances too.. He hadn't scored for a year before netting against us at their place!
Mariappa was outstanding as far as I was concerned. I felt he was a bit of a stopgap, but I really was wrong!
I've just realised that our 29th game last season was against the bottom club Sunderland, who were on 20 points. We won 1-0 which left Sunderland 7 points from safety and us on 34 points - 7 points above the relegation zone. Of this season's current bottom three, WBA were 8th on 44,points, Stoke 9th on 36 points and Palace 16th on 31 points.
He has played well but who else was there? Britos has now just made the bench and came on in injury time so now there are 3 fit CB's.
It was another extremely poor first half performance. I felt Mariappa was the MoM in the first half. He seemed to be covering for Prodl a lot as well as doing his own job very well. 2nd half was better, especially when bringing on Okaka to go 4-4-2, and bringing on Hughes. It just gave their defence much more to think about - that through ball from Hughes and the finish was lovely. I initially thought it was off-side but Evans just played the offside rap very poorly. Would actually like to see us start 4-4-2 away to Arsenal, and play Gray up front with Deeney. Just seems obvious Deeney is much better with a partner up top and not sure Okaka can start at the moment. Also hope Hughes starts now he has got some minutes under his belt. Would be nice to give Richarlison a rest so play either Pereyra or Carillo on the left - he just seems lacking in confidence and trying too hard, making some poor decisions in when to pass and when to shoot. Another welcome 3 points ahead of 2 tough away games. Very much our home form is what will keep us up
They say a week is a long time in football well 4 weeks ago we was going down now people are talking about Europe (its not going to happen but its nice to dream ) Roll on next season
True but at the time Kabasele was fit and in the team too. What has happened to Cathcart and Kaboul? Guess they are both fit but not ready to be considered.
I disagree about Okaka - with how Arsenal have been playing recently, I would start with SO and TD to bully their defence before bringing on someone quicker. If a player had shown a strop when being substituted by GT, their next game for the club would've been with the reserves - Richarlison is young enough to play for the U-23s and a couple of games with them could be what he needs to get his scoring form back.
This was the only real spark of the first half! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ising-board-catches-fire-West-Brom-clash.html
I agree, barry, about starting with this bullying tough duo up front to unsettle them. I’d play Okaka for as long as he can hack it before replacing him. He and TD9 have to be a major headache together, particularly as TD9 plays a super old fashioned No10 role so well. And he can score. Arsenal CBs would have nightmares about facing both of these fellas at the same time.
I just feel Okaka has maybe 30 minutes in him - especially if we are expecting him to chase and close down their defenders - he just doesn't look match fit. If he was, I totally agree...
I would like to start with TD and AG as a front two for the next game, and bring on SO for the last 30 minutes or so. As people have said he doesn't seem to have a full game in him, but I think we look better with a front two. AG is better suited to playing away from home I think, where the opposition are more likely to have a high line and he can run in behind them.
