How's big Vic doing for you in general? His passing could be a bit slack at times at Celtic too, probably one of his biggest flaws.
Sometimes Wanyama's casual looking approach to things can be frustrating. Particularly if your philosophy as a player is or was (or would be) a high energy approach. I think you might be frustrated at him giving the ball away sometimes and looking like he doesn't care. One time the ball was very close to him and he made no effort to get to it. But he actually tackled the player the ball got to. You need to realise he's pretty slow off the mark but he makes up for that with power and height. Sometimes it's best to commit a foul in a non-threatening position if you sense danger, it's something we didn't do enough of last season. He isn't great at passing the ball forward I can give you that. He overhit an easy pass to Ward-Prowse which would have lead to a threatening situation. But you cannot deny the fact he is a real presence and his passing completion was decent enough today. He protected the ball with easy against Jerome towards the end of the game. He provides great protection for the centre backs in all situations in the air. And he often knows where to position himself. It's rare he's too high up or too deep. He and Lovren have improved us defensively massively in my view. I think he had a very solid display today. I don't agree with you at all that Schneiderlin was playing that role. What I saw was a lopsided formation where Lambert played behind Osvaldo in the first half. Lallana right wing and Davis as a slightly tucked in left midfielder, Schneiderlin central midfield and Wanyama a defensive minded midfielder. Second half we adjusted it and played Lambert higher next to Osvaldo. About 15 minutes after the second goal Lambert played infront of Osvaldo and Lallana dropped back very slightly with Schneiderlin playing next to Wanyama. Lambert drops deep into midfield sometimes to link the play but it doesn't mean he's a defensive midfielder much like Schneiderlin wasn't in a creative role. Schneiderlin presses the ball very high up the field often ending up leading the line but this doesn't mean he's playing an attacking role.
Some think he is too wasteful on the ball and have seen him called a liability, certainly had a run of games where he's lacked confidence on the ball and has been sloppy, but he's been a wrecking ball defensively and part of a defensive unit that has conceded twice in six games, so personally I find it hard to complain too much.
He's doing OK, his passing does let him down at times but I think he will be a great player given time.
As I say, his passing was never his strongest point. He can be a massive presence and he is as strong as an ox - he's still very young too so hopefully he still has the time to polish up on some of his flaws. Great start to the season - keep it up!
Just returned from the game / pub, enjoyed both. Really lucky with the penalty decision, it looked fairly nailed on from where I was sat? This boy Lovren impresses me more and more, in fact the whole back four looked in total control, especially second half. Interesting that Poch decided to bring on JWP with 25 mins to go rather than Gaston, think this tells us something?
Holloway said afterwards it was a dive (fair play). Palace fans not happy with Chamakh and quite rightly.
#MOTD at 10.30pm: 1. Man Utd/WBA 2. Villa/Man City 3. Spurs/Chelsea 4. Swansea/Arsenal 5. Fulham/Cardiff 6. Saints/Palace 7. Hull/West Ham
Radio Solent kept repeating that it was Rickies 199th goal, are they correct. DM said, when we were 2 0 up, "What we don't want to do now is to let Crystal Palace back in the game", very astute thinking?
On Player, Mauricio says that teams will be more aware of us now and it will be necessary to work harder to win. He then added that the players already work very hard and that it would be interesting getting them to work harder...look out, boys, he's coming for you.
Why are you defending some stupid things about Wanyama? Is there an order from the board to do so? You always defend the new guys. Strange thing.
Wanyama's passing is disappointing but as said he is great defensively. He is a player I wouldn't want to play against, so pleased he is with us. Thought Clyne defensively was great but a little wasteful going forward. Nice for Osvaldo to get off the mark. He has excellent close control and won some good free kicks Davis was a real disappointment today. Didn't really put in a performance which demanded his inclusion next week. Chamakh was a disgrace and deservedly booked. You could tell Holloway was fuming at a striker turning down a great chance to score.
