We were the better team in the first half, Gera put away a peach capitalising on an error, then Migs, oh Migs wtf was that? Had we gone down 1-0 at half time, we would have been positive coming out, we created the better chances, were winning the ball and playing a gutsy game. They were winning by their one decent shot in a scoreline they scarcely deserved, we were playing well and looking like the more likely score ...until. You've got to feel for Simon Mignolet tonight, sorry son. It hardly needs to be said, he's been outstanding this season and I'm sure we're very happy with him between the sticks on Tuesday. On the other hand, I think his kicking has improved a bit - and I'd like to pin the blame on the Brum's Cuban Community -I think it was Voodoo. It all starts with these ****ing South American dance classes for the middle aged and over bulgys, next thing they're all sticking pins in Belgians and causing all sorts of bother. In the second half it was the same, we were the better team for the vast majority of it. We're also two-nil down and MON took chances at the back and the team reacted positively. Sessegnon was excellent today and Johnson had another decent game. Danny Rose, but for some wayward passing was excellent throughout and we saw a bit of the old Jimmy Mac. Also Larrson, Gardner and Clattermaul had decent games, Bards is improving too and Catts pushed the ball forward (I actually thought he was borderline creative at times -gan on son! ) We didn't play hoofball. We kept it on the ground and looked good doing it against a team that had won their last 3 games. For most of the game we didn't look anything like a relegation side playing against a top flight team. Of course we need to condemn QPR to more misery and let's not forget, we still have Reading at home If we keep paying like we did today we'll win games. On a more deserving note -and we were up against very good West Brom team today, they always looked dangerous going forward and they defended well. That said, the scoreline flatters them. I thought it was a penalty btw which is generally deemed a fortunate thing in a football game, they did signal 4 minutes injury time I believe, Ming-Olé fluffed his lines of course and generally they got the rub of the green. On a less positive note, I just want to confess at this point, I've never been member of CIB (Colback In Brigade), however, Jackie Passback has had some good games LB and a few decent games CM. I get less convinced by John open-your-legs-please O'Shea, though Cuellar did OK, something has to give and personally I'd like to see Killa given another chance, please, please and pretty please Marty. Finally, I'm no longer sure anticipation is Stephen Fletcher's strong suit, I mean, all those balls to feet that got into the box ...nuff said. Keep the faith lads, we're going to win on Tuesday and ha'way and all that.
Nope he has made the same mistakes other matches and got away with it. His handling is actually crap. He should have saved the shot too, his movement and positioning are not that good.
so you think johnson played well, dont know what to say about that, have you had a drink if not please do
I don't think Johnson played too bad - i don't think the team itself player too badly either - I have to agree with all of Shameless's comments. Unlucky break for the first - ball off Johnson's leg could have gone anywhere, Mignolet's bad mistake needs no comments from me, the "penalty" was a jokoe and tbh not bothered about the 4th. Play like that on Tuesday and we will win.
not often I disagree with you Shameless but we lost today and conceeded 4 goals (they hit the bar as well) and had numerous chances 2nd half to score 3 or 4 more. If we have played well and still lost against an average WBA team, with one of the poorest keepers I've seen in a lifetime watching the game, then God help us if we play badly on Tuesday? I thought we got exactly what we deserved today for being so predictable and boring with 1 striker again at home. A defeat on Tuesday and those fans who are very vocal about wanting the manager out will have plenty of others joining them. That's what I fear the most that the crowd turn before Martin has a chance to buy in January's window. If we get to February 1st and have not brought in a striker and a pacy midfielder then I may also become one of the disillusioned but a defeat on Tuesday and I think the crowd will turn too.
Cest, I agree they got in behind us and put numerous crosses in that could easily have been turned in,yet it took an exceptionsl strike,Mig nightmare and a debatable penalty to finish us off. Sess is looking more like the player we know, Johnson getting more of the ball, I would start with Gardener instead of Larsson all day long, not sure if JOS is a long term injury if so then give Killa a go. We have waited quite a while to get a manager like MoN, I would like to see him given every chance to succeed - I'm struggling to suggest a name who I realistically think would take over from MON and be able to give us safety.
It was a much better performance. In fact it was the best I've seen them (barring 10-man Fulham) since the Swansea game, 1st half and we've been generally abysmal since then. On the balance of play, a draw was the least we deserved.
Whoa there, hang on kidda. In no way do I want to replace MoN and that's not what I am saying at all but this 1 man up front thing is becoming a real monkey on his back now. I fear that the fans will turn on the manager before he has a chance to build his own team and that would be a tragedy IMO. Defeat on Tuesday could be a mortal blow for the manager, especially if we go one up front again. Even a draw will be a poor result against the leagues whipping boys, Arry or not. I fully support and want MoN but I am a very pissed off and demoralized supporter tonight because like it or not, things are going pear shaped at the moment and it has to change very quickly or else we may well lose the best manager we have had in my lifetime.
He was, and I believe it'll be proven. Anyone who wants to save that and remind me of it after the end of this season is more than welcome!
I thought you were ok but they fully deserved their win. Had many more clearcut opportunities and used the ball a lot better than Sunderland. You had a few shots and as much (if not more) possession, but they carried a much greater threat. In truth they could have had another 4. To be fair they are an excellent side this season. It was even first half, Sunderland maybe slightly better, and 2-0 flattered them. If they'd gone in behind though, they'd have been gutted as they had defended well. 2nd half they were the better side and created some good chances. Have to say I thought Johnson was fairly poor. Hit the first man with 90% of his crosses. Also although not a pen it was a stupid challenge. And the first goal although a great strike he just fannied on. There are signs though, you've played three good in form sides off the belt, two away, and been in all three games winning one. Sessegnon looked back and is more dangerous in wide areas.
Your point would be helpful Billy? I hope you are not falling into the old trap of judging a game on stats i.e. shots mean clearcut chances. They created the better chances to score today. Apart from the 4 they did score you only have to look at Odemwingie not getting a touch on Brunts cross, Lukaku hitting the post..... 2nd half was counter attack football at its best and they looked very very dangerous. You huffed and puffed but they handled you well defensively
We must win on tuesday night,and I hope that the rumour of MON offering his resignation is wrong.Who the hell could we replace him with???
MON must change his tactics, failure to do so will eventually bring the curtain down on his Premiership career in a most disappointing way and mean we are left in a perilous position, I hope he can see the light and avoid this scenario - you would have hoped this would have happened before now. WBA closed us down ans harried us all the way today - I was impressed with their work rate - it reminded me of us after MON took over last year. I'm a little bit more optimistic but far from happy.
Today you have to put down to some bad luck and playing a bloody good team, they looked more accomplished than us and they have a game plan they all believe in. We were not bad, we scored 2 another scorer on the sheet, it could easily have been 3-3. Silly Mig error, Never a pen etc but West Brom are a good side. To be honest at 2-0 down I thought we would capitulate but we made a bloody good go of it! I think Marty still has ther dressing room and I'm still backing him. I was dissapointed in Fletcher today to be honest. Not sure he can hold or win the ball all that well. Sess' was great today. I just don't get Colback................................................he is keeping better central midfielders out of the team. He should be dropped. Anyone tell me what he did today? He creates nothing, he is easily beaten and bullied.
