2/3 of Lambert's performances and really good, 1/3 are average. If he gets marked out the game he can't get away from them as he doesn't have much of an engine. He gets involved more when he comes deeper and now we have Osvaldo, I would have thought Lambert could release the ball quickly to Osvaldo instead of waiting for other players to make a run. Maybe he plays the full 90 as when he didn't, quite often under Adkins, he got pissed off over it. Fonte is our top scorer. Need I say more?
pretty disapointing but Norwich were good, got the goal and we never looked like scoring after Lallana went off.
Yeah, as was Lallana. We need someone who can provide width, really; we scarcely attacked all game down the left because our nominal left-sided forward was playing inside, and there's an invisible barrier 35 yards up the pitch that our left back cannot breach. Subs were...unusual. Removing Lallana didn't make us any more dangerous, and removing Osvaldo didn't exactly provide us more options up front.
No width at all when shaw and clyne aren't playing. Unless clyne was injured, it was an absolutely horrendous decision not to start him in place of Fox
I've heard this but is there an official source that has confirmed it to be true? Its not so bad if we do bring a replacement in, I just dont think we will.
Davis for Schneiderlin was daft as well. If he wanted to take a DM off then it should have been Wanyama.
Yes, we're lacking width. Yes, we haven't scored in open play. But for goodness sake, well done Norwich - thought they were incredibly disciplined, Fer is a cracking player and in Redmond they look to have something of a talent out wide. On another day, our penalty would have been given, we'd have gone 1 up. Norwich would have pressed further forward and we'd have had more opportunities. We could have won. But if it makes you happier to press the panic button, please, go ahead.
Terrible from Poch there. Chambers was clearly struggling with Redmond all game and he should have been replaced by Clyne - if he's not fit enough to play then don't name him on the bench and reduce our attacking options. Lallana shouldn't have been taken off (on the 60th minute for Gastón AGAIN), one of our strongest attacking threats until his substitution. Rickie, despite my massive man crush on the guy, has had three very poor games in a row (with the exception of his penalty, he's done little to nothing of note) and should have been taken off instead of Adam. All in all, a poor game and worrying signs that despite our high possession football, we struggle to create many goalscoring opportunities. But it's early doors and still enough time to turn things around, hopefully Poch can use this result to give the players a much need kick up the metaphorical arse.
Would of preferred Osvaldo and Lallana to stay on, and yes, as above, clearly missed the width that Shaw and Clyne give us. Whats up with Clyne?
Norwich were better than us, but that deosnt mean we shouldn't be concerned, really need to sort out our attacking, very one dimensional, still think we need that wide player to push us forward. However i am gonna give it a few more games before i worry to much
Tactically today was a bit strange. Lallana especially I thought was looking clever, so I think he should have stayed on. People on this forum hugely over reacting though. Norwich are in a similar position to us, have strengthened heavily over the summer and are looking to build on last year. 1-0 is by no means the end of the world. It's extremely positive that we aren't conceding as much. We may have only scored 2, but we've only conceded 2 as well. The attack will improve, Osvaldo will settle in. Norwich defended excellently today, you have to give them credit. We've got points on the board and have been playing well so far this season, we are doing fine!
Was always worried about our inability to score from open play. For such an attacking side this is completely puzzling. Still early days and we have a few points on the board, but concerning. Shame there is now an international break as we haven't a chance to work on it or put it right swiftly in a match.
Oh and Wanyama should have been taken off instead of Schneiderlin. Not sure I agreed with any of Poch's subs today <sigh>
To be fair we came within the width of the post to an open play goal, but I agree - it all looks very stodgy and ponderous in attack at the moment.
