I'd have had Derry in for SWP before the game to solidify the midfield with Barton at RM. But had expected a better game from Buz , thought he should have been taken off earlier. Barton was our only central midfield again today, he ran and ran, and tackled and fought, I forgive some bad passing early on for that.
I said it yesterday mate when so many people were pairing Barton and Buzz in the centre!! My team v Fulham (for what it's worth): --------------Kenny------------- Young(if fit)-Ferdy-Onouha-Traore -------------Diakite------------- SWP--------Taarabt-------Taiwo ---------Mackie---Zamora------- If Young is still out, I'd play Onouha at RB with Gabbidon at CB.
and that's why i voted him for MOM, the last 60 mins i saw, he was really good, and didn't make many mistakes. Just think some ppl are mocking him in principle, just for being JB. Great performance today, compared to earlier games.
If Diakite plays in the holding role then it pretty much allows MH to play anybody he wants in the creative role behind the strickers. We have nobody sitting deep and protecting us against a quick counter or overlapping fullbacks. Without a DM we are so vunerable. IMO Adel looks better playing more central than coming in from the wing. If this Diakite does not hit the ground running then we are in serious trouble. IMO we will be finished. As an alternative Onouha could play DM with gabby s CB. Not ideal but we would not be so soft in the middle.
Two shameful performances now for us. Both hyper-critical games for us. Just have to buck-up and move on. It's not good enough though. As for the constant kicking of Barton... many have it in for him and he will never do right for them... but I prefer to be honest and judge him on his performances. I thought he did well today.. was working hard and improved his dead ball kicks. However, SWP put in another poor performance for me. He really does need to step up to the plate. And Mackie... well done lad. Mentioned in another thread about possibly testing him up-front with Zamora... and for me he's shown he deserves that slot in the next game. He's aggressive, hungry and has a good work-rate.
There was me thinking that I was the only one who also thought this. Had his best game in a Rangers shirt for me.
Barton played reasonably well but with Derry in the previous two games and Buzsaky today he had to do the job of two men.
Barton is trying to cover the shortage we have generally in midfield. Give him support and a definate position and he,ll be fine.
barton was ok today did a lot running & covering, to make up for the dismal display of others round him, needed 10 more like him today.
True but so was the entire team for the first 60-odd minutes. We'll come good though RRR's me old chum. Keep the chin up son.
Just back after freezing my arse off in the Stade de France tonight at a match that didn't happen. :-/ How did Adel play today?
Respect - how the hell did you get back so fast? Shameful that the French don't have under soil heating in their national stadium. Rumor here is that you guys fancied it but they didn't, but it did look dangerous. Adel was ok, didn't tear any trees up. Played off Zamora most of the game, but too far off and was not effective as a striker. Mackie came on up front, played very well, Adel into midfield and we bossed them for last 20 minutes. Damage all done with woeful defending first half.
Cheers SB. When I said 'just back from the game', I meant just back to hotel in downtown Paris. Would have been criminal if game went ahead. Me and 'Valentine' wife were frozen in middle tier of stadium looking at French groundsmen pointlessly moving jumbo hair dryers around the pitch. Got a text from Inky at 9pm local to say game was canceled ..... and this was 7 mins before official stadium announcement! Should have been called off on Thursday when forecast was for minus 7! Spot on......no under soil heating is the culprit here.
Barton is the only midfielder in the team,all the others line up in position but then disappear as the game goes on.He,s constantly trying to fight fires all over the pitch which pulls him out of position.I dont think Barton is the best thing since sliced bread but he,s the best we,ve got.
