thats true, and i shouldnt be as bleak as i feel about us right now. I think my glum mood comes from feeling like we've played all our cards now., and beating Man City really feels like it was our high water mark. But the season is still young. And we might roar to life yet. And...smile.
I agreed with the changes for the third match this week and we did well for the first half and then collapsed in the second half. Why did we keep pumping high balls up the pitch when they were winning 9 out of 10 of those. We played into their hands and lost the good link-up passing seen in the first half. I dread going to Leicester next.
The answer is there for anyone to see if you just look at how DF set the team up in the matches where we have come away with points -- Newcastle apart, that is. Defend deep and counter-attack -- Man City, Bournemouth, Everton, Arsenal.
Dave Phillips, co-commentator on my stream said as much during the game when the camera picked out Delia Smith and MWJ.
We did well for the first half courtesy of Sheffield being mainly content to sit back and let us come at them, which allowed Vrancic plenty of time to spray the ball about and kept the pass length down. This changed from the minute play restarted and we simply showed no real appetite or ability to pass our way through the press. Sorry to keep on about it, but IMO Stiepermann is the key no matter what the WhoScored ratings say; it's not a matter of how many ball events he is involved in, it's a matter of how we play when he on the field.
He was pretty good today wouldn't you say? Of course there were no scissor kicks (more's the pity, because there was an opportunity in the second half where a scissor kick might have been more effective than the weak header which just looped into Henderson's arms).
Didn't get to see any of the game today, how was Vrancic? I was hoping he'd be a big addition to our midfield at this level. I think the biggest sucker punch for me today, is that the XIs fielded today weren't hugely changed from last season. We can't blame investment for the result today.
Couldn’t agree more about Stiepermann He was the key link yesterday and has been pretty instrumental in most of our best play this season (admittedly also some of our worst, but it’s about how the team gels)
Good first half when Sheffield sitting back allowed him to play. Weak defending allowed Baldock to spin and fire in the winning goal. Tired badly towards the end -- understandably given it was his first start.
Alright lads. Admittedly I havent seen too many of your games other then highlights but from what I have seen reminds me of us when we came up. Premier League wise its very inexperienced, your playing well in every game but any mistake you make your getting punished for. After 29 games we was bottom. 7 points adrift with 19 points. We won 7 of the last 9 and the following season everyone knows what happened So my point is dont resign yourself to relegation as its still possible to turn your season around but your players need to wise up abit and probably need help in the transfer window
haha - as I was laying down to sleep last night (about 30 seconds after writing that), that very word came into my mind, shortly followed by a vision of the Black Adder sketch
And if I remember correctly, when Ranieri first took over, he focussed 100% on coaching the team how to defend.
I was surprised that Marco didn't start, given their height advantage. Then I wondered why he didn't come on for Vrančic after 60 minutes, given Mario's lack of match fitness. I fear substitutions will never be DF's strong point.
Not at all. We was beating everyone 3-2 when Ranieri came in. We was leaking goals but outscoring everyone During the great escape it was actually the signing of Robert Huth that sorted out defence out. His experience helped us no end along with the experience of Cambiasso in midfield I think you need to get 2 or 3 premier league experienced players in January and you could have a real chance of staying up