Of course 3 points would have been better, but I'm happy to be realistic here. To get points off the teams competing for Champions League places are the bonuses. It is imperative to get solid wins against the sides in the relegation mini-league as well as pick up the lion's share of the points off the mid-table sides. Sky showed that the Rs sit 12th in the form league (last 8 games in which there were 3 defeats on the trot) so I'm with Hoddle in that there's a chance. Work, work, work is what is required... Oh, and a solid replacement for Nelsen and a gifted goal scorer. Not much to ask for, is it?
think this game puts the chelsea game in a different light, great team effort on both. don't know how anyone can criticize SWP after this game, worked his socks off in attack and defence, had a great game. Fabio was immence, and Cesar made the three critical saves that kept us in the game. amazing effort from the team, and with a bit of luck, one of those SWP efforts would have sealed the game for us. really don't want to see Hoillett replacing atleast SWP, his work rate is so much worse, especially in defence than SWP's is, doesn't track back.
We have a settled back four in Fabio/Onuoha/Nelsen/Hill - Fabio in particular had an excellent game. Park though, for all his experience, does not appear to be pulling his weight - off the pace, just going through the basics, seems a bit lost at times. Thought he should have been switched for Faurlin in the 2nd half.
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.
Just got back from the game, happy with a point but annoyed we set up for only that at home, I know spuds are a good side but we need to try for 3 at home. Another poor ref and linesmen performance and nervous supporters. Thought fabio and ounua had their best game for us that I've seen, thought the whole defence looked good. I like Mackies effort but he isn't very good, Cesar great saves, Adal needs more support but a good shift, not sure why we didn't make subs, healthy bench. Park was woeful at times
Wonder if Cissé on for the last 15 mins would have secured the 3 pts, but then we might have lost 1? Interesting the differing opinions concerning the contribution of Park. Forwards? We should sign up Jonathan Walters - has bagged a couple of great og's for Chelsea.
I don't know why you're having a go at the officials mate. Yes they can be very poor at times but today I thought they were exceptionally good. I said as much during the game to the guy beside me. Crazy the way people can see the same game so differently.
The ref and lino (especially the one down Ellerslie Road) were dogshit, they are all dogshit and the sooner the FA realise that getting ex-players (and I don't mean ex-pro players, I mean people that have actually played the game at any level) to do it, the better. Howard Webb is in charge of United - Liverpool tomorrow, Suarez has been slaughtered all week in the press and Fergie has put his two pennies worth in, guaranteed United get all the decisions!!!
I know the Lino gave a throw to them which he shouldn't have but what on earth did the ref do wrong today? I thought he had a great game
Lee Probert was poor today. Missed a lot, especially Naughton fouling Mackie. Park improved in the 2nd half, but was way off the pace in the first, chasing shadows and not getting any tackles in.
I thought Probert did OK. He let the game flow most if the time and as not "card happy", although I thought he yellow for Mbia was a tad harsh. He could easily have given Taarabt a yellow in the first, but didn't. He seemed to read the "simulations" correctly (or blatant cheating, as I think it more appropriate the call it). Certainly seen worse... Mason, anybody?
I guess it's inevitable that we have different views of the ref but I'm still surprised to see him criticised here. I don't think he was too bad although there were a few bad calls he gave to you guys. Lennon was clearly fouled early on but the lack of anything given seemed to make you guys think he dived so he got booed for no reason. There was also an ocassion where Mackie threw himself to the floor when he realised that the ball was going out. He didn't get the decision but for me it just highlighted the hypocrisy of the FA's crack down on "falling unnaturally" which only seems to apply to players who have gained some sort of reputation for diving. I wasn't sure why Dembele got booked either, he clearly didn't make a challenge so if he did accidently make contact with Mackie there was no need to book him and since Mackie had already lost the ball there was really no need to give anything. Anyway, as I say I thought he was okay and he resisted the urge to book Bale for being fouled like every other ref seems to.
Lennon was booed because all of us in the ground thought he had dived. Dembele was rightly booked for a professional foul. Probert missed foul after foul on Mackie by Naughton (you're just a **** Kyle Walker). Especially the one in the last minute when he jumped all over him. Mackie doesn't dive....fact. Bale does....fact!
Spurs fans saying they was hard done by. Rangers fans saying they was hard done by. Who'd have thunk it? If you can stand back and be non-partisan then its obvious he had a good game. Fans can be so blinkered at times.
You thought Lennon dived, wrongly. I don't think I remember Lennon ever diving, he always tries to stay on his feet but the ref enforced your view in the ground that he dived because he didn't give him the freekick that he was owed. Demebele made no challenge on Mackie, at most he was guilty of running too close behind him. Foul after foul? I only recall one occasion he missed a foul by Naughton and there was another occasion where he told Mackie to play on and gave him the advantage up until Naughton tackled him and Probert brought it back. The one right at the end was fine, Mackie made no attempt to compete for the ball and when that happens he's well within his rights to jump over him. If anything it would've been a foul to Naughton for Mackie backing in. Mackie doesn't dive? That's not what I was saying anyway you go with that if you want. My point was that Bale gets booked for falling unnaturally, or going over easily, whatever you want to call it so Mackie should've been booked for the same.
