My point was that we need to be positive about a very good result. Of course, we need to discuss, but today's performance was a TEAM performance that we haven't seen prior to the Scum-match. Perhaps whinging was the wrong word, "nitpicking" would suffice?
Grifter you say don't talk about what he didn't do and talk about what he did do, maybe you could add to the argument what he did do?!
Mbia was great today, epitomised the spirit that Harry's injected into the team. He is theatrical at times, and I suspect may be a bit neurotic on injuries. The last time he was stretchered off, he had been lying on his back complaining that when he reached down he couldn't feel his leg. In hindsight, I think it entirely possible he'd been holding the physio's leg... Love him!
Here's what i wrote in the Match thread: "SWP was decent. Park was always the first to close down their men, he's very intelligent defensively. He manages to shepherd their players to positions on the pitch where they're less dangerous. The guy does so much harrying and chasing that he practically provides 2 men's of efforts to the defence. Good player for this sort of game- we might want the creativity of Faurlin when facing sides less dangerous than spurs though. " "He's definitely pulling his weight, he never stopped running right until the end. The guy's been out for ages, i thought he did well considering. Lacked a bit of match sharpness at times but that will come back. Contributed hugely to what was a very solid defensive team performance. We wouldn't have been able to keep spurs out if only 10 men had been "pulling their weight", everybody put in a shift." Ps. Nice to see another Reading ranger!
I think the key to Faurlin playing well is to have a 'destroyer' playing alongside him. In the Championship he had Derry alongside him and he was the creative outlet in what was a formidable partnership. They might be worth a try together...
The lunchtime game is the premier game in the Far East. As is at roughly 8pm and is the game that everyone watches Would it be overly cynical to wonder if this is why he played today??
I thought Derry and Mbia were both superb, particularly Mbia who in two league games now has completely nullified first Luiz and now Dembele, which is no mean feat. The difference between the Chelsea game and today, in my opinion, was that Granero last week was an excellent link between those two and Taarabt- comfortable putting his foot on the ball when required and able to carry the ball forward when he got some space. Park did neither of those things. It's a relief when he just finds a teammate. As for his famous work rate, he struggled massively all game to get within five yards of his man. I don't think he's not putting effort in á la Bosingwa and sometimes Cisse, I think we've just been sold a bit of a dud.
Agreed. Everyone around me was giving him stick and ironic cheers even broke out whenever he managed a pass or tackle!
Grifter let me just say that I'm in no way a Park hater. When we signed him I couldn't wait for him to put the hoops on and show what he brings to a team. I just have two issues with him (I say him, I really mean his transfer and role within the club, they are in no way his fault but I think they have effected his performances, and it probably comes back to the disgrace that is Mark Hughes) firstly he should never have been made captain (ok some may say Fernandes had a hand in this decision not just Hughes) and he should never have been the first name on the team sheet every week (which he clearly was as being captain and the club wanting to cash in on the Asian pre-season tour) as im pretty sure he never had a run of more than 2-3 games consecutively and Man U and was used as a defensive impact player/ a player you could rely on in an important game, such as Europe. That's just my opinion on him and I have no stats to back it up but that's the impression I had of him and is what I have built my expectations on. I have been holding off criticising him so far hoping that it may have been the Hughes influence not bringing out the best in him but have to say that I can't see the benefit of playing him over Faurlin today. I kind of think his performance today was like a timid jack Russell. He did a lot of of running after people trying to snap at their heels but didn't do anything of any worth. He has no physical presence and doesn't seem to know where his team mates are when he had the ball. To me he just looks lost at the moment as if he hasn't got a real role in the team. I hope I'm proved wrong in the long run as I do like him but at the moment not sure what the benefits are of having him in the starting 11. Where are you from in Reading? I'm always up for talking all things Rangers with fellow supporters and get fed up with talking to Reading fans or so called United or Arsenal fans in the pub!
RR - I made a similar observation at last week's cup match in the first half, then in the second half he played a game that was the polar opposite. I felt today was a reverse of this, good touches in the first half, but I agree it's always a safe touch. Perhaps he lacks a bit of confidence, or really isn't yet match sharp. Last week he showed enough to go in for 50-50s in the second half, and distribution was good. He set up DJ's best chance with a well crafted diagonal ball for a header that should have made the keeper work. Like you I made a similar remark today on 60 minutes observing that his kit was bright white, whilst Jamie Mackie was brushing the mud off his shorts having pressed Naughton - who incidentally looked the weakest link. Great battle that today, Jamie had him in his pocket! I hope he can use the West Brom match time to hone his sharpness and weigh in with at least one assist for DJ on Tuesday. If so, you heard it here first.
that is because everytime he received the ball he just passed it to the player nearest him to get rid of it, regardless of what position they were in. Everyone put in a good shift for the team today apart from that useless cnut
Its not a mystery. Faurlin has been sh*te this season too. Sh*te for sh*te still leaves sh*te. I thought he did alright.
Glad im not the only one who was shocked at Parks lack of performance today. He was the one who let Defoe in for the shot that led to Cesar making a double save with a clear lack of effort in closing down/putting a decent tackle in.
