Just back and thought I would share my thoughts as last time I did the lads on here from other countries seemed to appreciate it. Probably have to start with a word on the opposition, as a lot of the match was really dictated by the way they played. They were very well organised, and played some good passing football, but certainly didn't come to attack. If they had an attacking ideas, they certainly forgot them on the team bus; I can't remember Rob Green being seriously tested at any point. They did have one shot from just outside the area near the end of the first half that went just wide of the post which was fairly decent. But that aside, I can't remember them showing much threat. They were certainly not creative, and had little/no chance of breaking down the brilliant Dunne & Ned or Dunne & Hill. That said, they did what they came to do - defend - very well indeed and they deserve their point. They stopped us getting into full flow, and when they didn't stop us, the ref did! The ref was awful. Towards both teams. In a match where there was no 'big incident' or decision to be made, it's amazing that someone he has still managed to become the centre of attention; he was like a kid who had just been given a whistle for his birthday and felt he had to use it. He really stopped the game from flowing and that certainly didn't help the game from a spectator point of view. At one point he did play the advantage excellently in our favour, and at another, the lino flagged for a Barton handball in a good attacking position which clearly didn't go near his hand! The ref really was poor - not bias towards one team or another - just poor and didn't let the game flow. Benoir Assou-Ekotto was class when he came on. Didn't really put a foot wrong and his passing was outstanding. Not sure why he's with us!! He sadly was also our most creative player, and wasn't scared to try and release players like a lot of the rest of the team (Phillips, Wright-Phillips, O'Neil, Henry (fair enough, not his job), Austin). That was ultimately the most frustrating thing about tonight. Aside from BAE, who did play in some great balls from LB, and Barton who played some great cross field balls, the others seemed scared to try through balls and would just keep running until they were dispossessed. It was barmy! O'Neil played a ball backwards to Barton on the break which is when Barton got his yellow when in actual fact, he had three men running forward he could have at least tried to slip in. Similarly, Austin was running in to their defenders near the end of the second half when he had opportunities to try and play others through on goal. We really missed Taarabt today, as when those players weren't playing others through, they weren't even shooting! SO ANNOYING. I don't really think we threw the kitchen sink at them today, just one of the Le Creuset pans. A smaller one. In terms of player ratings: Green - Hard to rate as he had so little to do. 8 because he did all he had to do right, or 6 because he did nothing. Depends if you're a glass half full or a glass half empty kind of person. Hill - 7. Solid, dependable. Dealt well with the switch to CB and did a captains job of calming Joey down at times. Dunne - 8. Man Mountain. Ned - Not on long enough to rate. Simpson - 7. Solid, but again, would like to see more urgency/direct play going forwards. Barton - 7.5 Played some good cross field balls and got stuck in. Best of the midfield today. O'Neil - 7 Needed to be more creative. Too many sideways balls. Slowed play down far too much. (And I'm a big fan) Henry - 7. Did his job defensively, which I suppose is all he's asked to do, so maybe 7 is harsh. Not sure. SWP - 6 Tried his hardest and didn't do too badly. The 6 is probably harsh, but seemed scared to cross! Phillips - 6. See above. Kept losing the ball instead of just putting a ruddy ball in the box! Austin - 6.5 Worked hard, but was isolated. Didn't have great service but kept going. Dropped too deep too often, which often left us no outlet up top if he was the one winning the ball. Subs: BAK - 8. MOM easily for me. Classy, really classy. Sorry to say it, but Hill won't play another game at LB when BAK is fit. I can't wait to Kranjcar pull on the hoops. Boy did we need him tonight.
Sounded like we was all over them on the radio ? . ... I'm sure the goals will come , sounded like there keeper kept them in it . Would love to see one more creative midfielder and one striker and I think we will just about be there .
Not quite true Jqpr. We were far from all over them. Certainly more threatening than them, but I don't think their keeper had to make more than two decent saves. One from a Dunne header after a corner, one from a Barton free kick.
Didn't Austin miss a sitter also , great save from keeper ? Of coarse the radio is only as accurate as the person commentating .
We do need a creative player but a proper player, not a clown. There are guys in the squad nearing fitness that will fill that role and other lads that just need a couple more games before they click into gear and start linking up well together. I wouldn't panic at all at our lack of goals just yet. It will take time but we're doing just fine right now.
Excellent Raving, most appreciated So Barton had a better game when Henry plays, now that is confirmed. The protection Henry offers gives Barton more freedom to influence the game offensively. Did Matt Phillips play on the left or the right side tonight? It better have been on the right or I'll go mental! Agree re Kranjcar, very much in demand at the moment. Imo Carroll should have started instead of SWP and played behind Austin with Phillips and O'Neil to offer width.
Bradley Allen said Austin missed a sitter and then planted a decent header which the goalie had to save?
Thanks for the report. Another point in the bag. We can't win every game and I'm positive we will improve.
Cheers Raving, Im not to worried about our lack of goals just yet. harry has made us a hard to beat team with the odd goal thrown in for good measure. Its a case of "If they dont score then we cant lose" at the moment. Once he's happy we can consistantly do that i reckon helll put the focus on the front 2. As for now, after 2 sh**e seasons, we are top of the league without playing brilliantly. When we start scoring a bit more we'll be even hrder to beat. Personally I'm happy. Dont miss the clowns who have left and we've already proved we dont need them by our position.! Much a i like hil I'd really rather not ever see him at LB again. He tris hard but hasn got the pace for it & is just an easy target for every oppo team. So happpy that our new LB sounds quality. We'll get better and the future looks good ATM.
Yes, we do need creativity. Brighton had no real attacking intentions, yet we had Henry sitting in front of the back four. Barton had a mixed game, SWP was no attacking threat and O'Neil was anonymous. Carroll could have replaced Henry at half-time IMO. BAE looked class.
SWP was decent, O'niel never stopped running, and his closing down of their back 4 was part of what kept their attacking threat to a minimum. We'd have been battered if Carroll came on at half time, Henry was decent again (though I know you're a knocker Stroller). Much improved performance over the Birmingham one!
