Great point, there was some mixed performances for me, but when we went down to 10 men I thought we handled the game pretty well and McKenna tactically did the right things.
First half with 11, I thought we looked quite pedestrian on the ball and strangely for us we looked weaker defensively through the middle than out wide. Thought Watkins movement was causing the backline problems, Phillips pressing confuses me as he rarely get the ball and leaves huge gaps (including one leading to Tuanzebe needing to step in and get sent off) and Cajuste started pretty slow.
Thought Tuanzebes 2nd yellow was definitely a yellow although he wasn't helped by Phillips or his CBs, the first wasn't even a foul let alone a yellow card.
Palmer was superb, shame we didn't get him in the summer, I think we'd be in a different position now, hope it's a sign of things to come. McKenna clearly felt Muric isn't up to it.
Thought O'Shea and Greaves got caught a couple of times first half but once Woolfenden came on all 3 looked pretty solid and made some great blocks/interceptions.
As others have said we looked far more solid defensively with Townsend on the left. Johnson pretty ineffectual on the right.
In terms Delap, on the ball he can be outstanding but I still think his movement is not in the same league as Hirst, he's often more happy coming deep rather than running in behind and that means there's not as much of an out ball for us to take the pressure off and not as much space for our other attacking players. But as ever when he gets on the ball he shows his quality and it was an outstanding finish.
Hutchinson who I've criticised a lot this season but I thought whilst he didn't get much on the ball time, he did well to create the goal and his chasing back and pressing were superb, he showed great tenacity and strength and for me ran Palmer close for MoM.
