The one real grievance I had is that I thought Ron definitely should have started Mane given he is our only player in any goal-scoring form, but turns out he ****ed up so fair play to Ron. Other than that I probably would have had Long on instead of Tadic but not much that could have been done. Players must have been hugely deflated by the refereeing in the first half and going behind from a wonder goal, then just the classic huff and puff and a scrappy killing goal. Ah well.
They will basically be sorted already. At least this time we will have 60m+ to replace 3 players. Then add to the fact one hasn't even played for us this year.
Did no one tell him we don't get penalties given for falling down, that only applies to other big teams. However the one and only time Pelle fell down he got his first free kick!
What did you make of that then chaps? Thought we were lucky with the decisions but defended very well and you didn't really create much despite the possession and intent. Actually thought the first shout wasn't a penalty and he went really cheaply. Second was blatant - another example of our **** refs. I don't buy the whole handling thing - we was on his line. Seems like you're missing a forward atm.
Bertrand/Targett, Fonte, Yoshida/Gardos, ????? Wanyama, Reed I'm actually okay with that. Not saying that's fantastic or that we shouldn't look to improve on defense, but other than Clyne's spot we aren't in jam and can sort through for the best candidates. Compared to last summer where we were much more desperate.
missed the game, log in and its **** refs again. oh well At least I don't need to watch MOTD2 tonight to see yet another week of Pelle flicks and trying to walk the ball into the net.........Roll on next season for my 29th season of dareing to dream and being let down. Not sure whether its better for the dreams to disappear earlier in the season and finish midtable or for them to last to February
Well before that game we had the second best form in the league behind Liverpool. So we're picking up points when playing crap, which is actually quite encouraging. Just need the luck to turn (and for someone to lend Pelle a Red Bull or two).
Clasie and Vilhena still look like joining us. I could also see one of their 2 cbs coming here as well.
Can't say we deserved more than a point. I thought Mignolet handled the ball over the line, but would have been hard for anyone to see. Let's say that and Fonte's tackle even each other out. No penalty on the first. Second penalty was blatant as you said, so a penalty would have tied it 1-1. And then had you been down to 10 men, don't think you would have scored a second. OTOH, the way we were playing, I doubt we would have scored even with an extra man.
Hmm. I'm disappointed, obviously, but there were still positives to take from that match. I do believe we have the quality to get back into the top 4 but goals need to start coming from somewhere. Pelle's due about 10, Mane and Elia can score and I thought that Djuricic looked like he could get a few for us later on too. So I'm not overly worried.
I'd be really, really happy if we got Clasie. Would also be happy with Kongolo especially, but also Van Beek. But if Feyenoord wants too much, no reason to let them hold us hostage. CB is an area I might be willing to go a little cheap on if it means we can get a better striker.
It is strange how you've stopped scoring as much. Just form of the forwards I guess. Just needs a scrappy one off the knee to get him going again.
From the replay, Mignolet chested the ball on the line, and it bounced on to his arm outside the line. So definitely handball, but hard to give a decision like that, especially as the ref was a complete ****.
Time for Pelle to start from the bench. (And Long going back to his old club could be handy for us). Markovic and Davis (and the referee) both gave stellar performances in trying to win the award for "worst performance of the season at St Marys".
