Too gutted about Pierre's upcoming suspension to comment much, it was a rush of blood and a red IMO but he was by far our best player out there today and Ralph's main man building for the future, we are going to miss him badly. He is still young so let's not crucify the lad.
I accept that on paper have an impressive team but they were at their nadir today (losing two on the trot to mistake teams) and lacking in confidence, we could have given them a run for their money with a strong team and perhaps gained three points. We capitulated by not picking our strongest team or with a few changes.
Yes, I think a back five was clearly the best option which is why we should have never started with a back four.
Red or not, as I didn’t see the game, (entertains friends), I only have this to offer. We’re pretty much where I thought we would be with Ralph, couple of successes, couple of maybe’s and a couple of lessons taught by class. More of the same will come, perhaps even more so now with Pierre’s mistake. I take some comfort that we didn’t ship a load of goals today and Citeh for all their aplomb or whatever only scored twice themselves with JWP helping to boost their scoreline, are at last finding out that they are at best 2nd in the pecking order. So while the top 4 or 5 scrap it out for the major placings, we will, with others, continue to make it look like a PL in number of teams competing at least, and use January to make a fist of getting into the mid-table for this season at least. That’s our league place now much as we might dislike the concept. For, unless we do and others likewise, eg those already there in mid-table, the PL will become as in Scotland a boring and sterile competition feeding only those who are awash with cash to spend. I’m hoping that Ralph and his team can provide enough coaching, guile and enthusiasm to meet at least this target at least.
3-1 isn’t awful and it was more of a solid performance than the pathetic ones against the big teams earlier in the season, although that’s not saying a lot at all. This squad needs sorting ASAP, can’t beleive the state it’s in after the neglect from previous managers/ Reed. I reckon a good DoF is vital for us to make this happen but I don’t think we’ll have time to get one in and let them oversee the January window. Any negative words about Ralph at this stage are extremely premature and I can see us just about getting the wins to stay up.
Meaning i'd have rather taken Carrols than Hojbjerg's. not that either were head on. Hojbjerg's glanced and Carrols was a swipe IIRC
Agree in terms of the form, I've often fallen on your side of the debate against Tom in terms of referees, and I think Tom himself acknowledges his notorious temper... But in this instance I think you've rather snapped to the straw that broke the camel's back. Tom's right in terms of the decision, less so in terms of crucifying PEH I'd agree. But I think you've overflowed from past arguments and gone after him here, hence my suggesting losing your head a bit. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that I suppose?
Tom is usually a dick when it comes to stuff like this, but he is right today. It was a red and PEH was an idiot for doing it.
Well Tom stuck me on ignore years ago cos I called him out for it. Id love him to debate with me but alas my heart will forever go wanting.
They might have been at their nadir coming into today; from the whistle, they were at their best I don’t agree we capitulated either. By all means question our selection; but I doubt any team we put out would have got much against a side that can take off Aguero and bring on Jesus, or bring on Sane for Mahrez. There was always going to be a massive gulf in class. You live in hope, but in the end the only real disappointment was the red card.
If it wasn't for that idiot of a referee and his chum the linesman, we'd have got something from that. Clear penalty for me. McCarthy needs dropping. Very poor for the goals conceded. If that was Forster, he's be slaughtered. Give Gunn a go. Very stupid from Pierre as well. Horrific tackle.
Let’s all have a group hug and make up now, I’ll get some beers out the fridge, a baby sham for FLT as he’s already a bit aggy and were one big happy family again.
