The goal is at 1:30 mark of the vid posted below. You don't think he could close that down quicker? Wober wins the header. Firpo is the defender closest and should busting a gut to get closer. Its a token gesture and you know it. On a serious note, do you genuinely feel that he did his job adequately there?
Our closest player to the goalscorer is McKennie as they are standing next to each other as Wober heads the ball. Firpo is moving back toward goal wth Wober and is probably around 10 yards away but still changes direction and closes down. In fact he's really unlucky not to get a block in as it just misses him. Maybe he could have got half a yard closer but it's difficult to run with your arms behind your back and he made a decent attempt, as did Wober. You can't just charge at the ball and block it with everything these days as you run the risk of giving away a penalty for hand ball. McKennie and Kristensen by comparison are rooted to the spot and could have easily done more. So I'm happy enough with Juniors play in that situation to not call him out over it. Overall he had an average game and personally I'd have subbed him off earlier, mainly because of Traore's pace and the yellow card. Given that Firpo has done well in recent matches I'd say he can be forgiven for not being at his best on this occasion, especially as it was a difficult match for both our full backs.
The goalscorer is next to McKennie (outside the box) as Wober heads the ball and Firpo is next to Wober.
Absolutely not. Whitejock said that Wober committed a cardinal sin by turning his back on the ball instead of closing down the shot. I responded to him suggesting that Firpo was the one who should be breaking his neck to close it down because he was closer after Wober won the header. It was a little discussion between me and him about that split second part of the game. I've criticised both Ayling and Firpo for letting Wolves in far too easily out wide whilst acknowledging that Wolves have alot of talented wide players. So yes, I believe both full backs can play better than they did on Saturday. I've not had a go at Firpo, just a casual comment on his performance being below what we've seen the last 4 or 5 games. Just because we win doesn't mean every player has played well. The opposite when we lose btw. For the 1st goal, Meslier decided to rush out and head it. He could have collected it in his own area but I've no problem with a keeper being decisive. I don't necessarily blame him for the goal. Roca is dumb in that scenario. The correct thing to do is hook it down field or smash it in the crowd to give the defence time to reset. It's real basic stuff yet our lot just seem to ignore the basics alot of the time.
so mckennie was ball watching and left Cunha… the only one who could then realistically close him down was firpo, and he was a bit slow. Wouldn’t call him out on it myself. I have been critical of meslier this season, think he’s been culpable for, or at least mediocre in his attempts to stop, a number of goals. No blame yesterday, though- if he feels the striker might get to the ball before it reaches the area then he’s right to not take a chance. Got decent distance on the header. One of those things. Made some good stops yesterday.
But you singled out Firpo. You didn’t point out Wober turning sideways and actually if he doesn’t do that can he block it rather than deflect it? You see (or don’t) watch the goal scorer walk away from McKennie and he doesn’t even seem to notice and when he does makes little or no effort to follow him, it was his man at the edge of our box. But you do focus on Firpo being the “closest” and not making a full attempt to block the shot quicker. I don’t think he’s a great player by any stretch of the imagination but you seem to have a preconceived opinion that he is the one at fault.
To be fair to emu… he hasn’t criticised firpo for not scoring enough… he hasn’t blamed him for not being a great goalkeeper, he hasn’t criticised him for bamford missing chances, he hasn’t hauled firpo over the coals for mistakes made by struijk when he wasn’t playing. So compared to the criticism handed out to Jesse marsch he’s been pretty even-handed really.
Although, Javi has almost a third amount of points as Yank Lampard in only four premier league matches
I didn't point out Wober because whitejock already had done. Whitejock said Wober should have closed him down and I said I thought Firpo was closer. As for McKennie leaving his man, yeah I get that but that's harsh considering the position you're in when you're defending the edge of your own box. As an ex midfield player then strictly speaking he'll be disappointed with that but the way the ball breaks he's never going to get there anyway. Then there's the man to man or zonal thing to pick at. It's a whole can of worms I'm not willing to get into off the back of a casual remark in reply to Jocky from the Highlands.
Oh and by the way whilst Marche had some good aspects to his management ultimately he just didn't cut the mustard. Let's just hope the procrastination regarding his sacking doesn't cost us dearly.
I've never said he was fully to blame. Just that he could have closed the shot down a bit quicker. Stop picking on me. Leave me alone.
The thing is Emu both you and Milky are about as subtle as a kick in the ging gangs. Whilst you're laying the ground so you can jump all over any poor performance from Firpo our dear friend and fellow forumite milkyboy wades in with the " we were better than Arsenal when we lost to them in October " line, to be followed by more, Jesse was good really comments, when we get our Arse kicked down at the Emirates. Come on guys you really need to up your games
