Very true COL. I think that Hughes got it spot on yesterday. It was a far better performance and result than we've been getting so far. Hopefully against some of the so-called lesser sides Tarbs, Hoilett etc will be deployed to open them up and get the goals needed for the win.
Yep. How about this: --------------------------Cesar------------------------- Bosingwa----------Nelson--------M'Bia-------------Fabio -------------------------Diakite------------------------- -----------------Faurlin-----------Granero--------------- Park---------------------------------------------Taarabt -------------------------Cisse---------------------------
I think it's worth putting in perspective, after our first two games no-one would have been surprised if we had lost both to City & Chelsea and had shipped four or five goals in each match. The fact we've put in a creditable hour at City and then held the Champions of Europe with a well-earned point says we have moved considerably towards getting the balance of the team right. MH clearly planned to nullify Chelsea's threats yesterday and the team carried out the plan effectively and were clearly growing in confidence the more the game went on. I think but for the injuries we may have had a go at them in the closing quarter hour but the subs were done. Whatever the plan we did well and I'm more than reassured that we are now moving very much in the right direction. The 'flair' players will get their chances when the opposition are right, that's something we'll all look forward to...
That's the crucial point right there. If we still had options on the bench, we could have gone for the jugular. Still, well pleased with the progress we're making. Well said Soopy.
Let us not forget...we got a point against the European champions. Not many would have expected that after our first game. Just watched the highlights and we looked well organized and solid. Clearly all that is missing is a good finisher...encouraging point though.
That's exactly what I was saying. No criticism of the selections yesterday....but we need to create to win games!
Wish I hadn't mentioned SWP now!! As many have said and I alluded to in the OP I suspect had it not been for injuries we may have seen Hoilett/Tarbs make an appearance. The goals will come!
Difference now is we will have Faurlin and Granero shoring up the middle with Nelsen, M'bia and Cesar behind them. Compare that to what we had v Swansea - an out of sorts Diakite, an out of position Park, Hill, Ferdinand (useless without a leader next to him) and Rob Green. But can't see us playing both Tarbs and Junior, unless one is second striker.
Grifter I actually think you must be Ian Wright because your rose tinted perspective of his performances is just like a parent who always see's the best in there child while to everyone else is clear they aren't actually talented. Your going to struggle to win games and lose games you should draw if you are carrying a right midfielder doesnt produce assists or score goals. If you want a right mid who's strength is the defensive ability I would rather play Bosinwa there and have Onouha or Luke Young behind him (to be clear I wouldn't actually do this but i'd rather that then have the ineffective SWP anywhere near the team).
We took all 3 points a year ago with on paper a weaker team, but we won because we were lucky, but also because we played far more offensively than we we set up yesterday.
Maybe we should have gone 3-3-4, eh Ozzie? Put Cisse, Taarabt, Zamora and Johnson up front? You're surprising me with the nonsense you're spouting today mate.
I don't get it, i said prior to the game that he's been decent enough recently, and his performance on saturday backed that up. I'm not the only person in this thread to think he had a decent game. Look on WATRB/LFW are there are numerous positive comments about his contribution yesterday and very few negative ones. How many assists and goals have the rest of our midfielders got this season? Everyone put in a decent shift yesterday, so really to single anyone out for a bad performance says more about the poster's general personal tastes/dislikes than it does about the player's performance.
