Well I was there and it wasn't a great game for us but I am not concerned. I would be worried if; We didn't make any chances (We hit the bar twice and their keeper made several great saves) We were on a poor run of form (it's the first home match for goodness sake!) Nigel was not interested in improving the squad before the end of the window (he is) Nicola Cortese would not spend any more on transfers (he is trying to spend a club record, apparently) I am not sure whether this makes me a naive optimist, but doubtless others on here will put me right on that.
Swansea only had 2 points after 4 games last season, there fixtures wern't anywhere near as bad as our 4. Don't think were a million miles off being a threat in attack, just needs to fall into place, hopefully Nigel will go back to 4-4-2. No point in sigining a striker or a record fee and then playing him at left midfield.
What was the attendance, may I ask? Seemed to be quite a few there but there were patches of seats in the Chapel, Itchen and Northam.
I think we need to play to our strengths, we played superb possession football with a 442 last season, which became a fluid 424 when we had the ball...I think Rickie needs a partner up front which would allow him to drop deep on occasions to link the play. We played ok today, but never looked as dominant in possession as we usually do at home. I would like to see Lambert partner Jay Rod up front against Manure next week.
we perfome better when we play up to being underdogs, showed last season, showed last week. When were favourites at home to Wigan we failed to step up.
29,604 was the official ticket sale, 2,000 Wigan absentees and a number of plastics bought tickets to ensure a Manure seat who probably stayed at home today, not a problem as we still get the income!
Fair enough, backed up your opinion nicely. I think if we play 442 against Manchester United, with players like Nani, Valencia and Kagawa, we will get torn, torn to pieces.
One of the biggest problems defensively with the 4 3 3 today was that there wide players had so much room so not sure why 4 4 2 would be worse.
It would be numerically inferior centrally, meaning players that like to naturally drift infield - Lallana and Guly, would do so to help out. We'd get dragged out of position in a intrinsically rigid 442, or at least toyed with to create space on the flanks.
The defender marking him just let him through, Di Santo span him waaaaaaaayyyyyyy too easily. These are Premier League strikers, we need stronger central defenders to cope.
Fine saves by Habsi from Foxes volley, and Lamberts piledriver. A complete lash up by Lala from Lambos knock down, not getting those chances in was difference.
