Slightly surprised that it was Jason McCarthy as our CB cover, and not Jack Stephens. Also - Gazzaniga now our no.2?
Not meant to be doom and gloom, just highlighting areas that appeared a concern. I think it's a concern that some players seemed like they weren't up for it and not fit for it. An example, Mane was excellent, Tadic who has a lot to prove was not in the same league.
I think you're being harsh on big Vic. He was MOTM in my opinion with Maya and Mane close behind. Tadicwas poor, but then he often is when playing out on the right, he's much more comfortable on the left. Steven Davis looks totally lost as an attacking left sided midfielder - their right back had an easy first half as Steven kept drifting infield. After the first sub, Steven moved alongside (or just behind) Vic and looked in my opinion much more comfortable. The back four were in general comfortable, but got caught out at least twice - in the first minute or so and then when Martin made the save, which was all go had to do all evening. Pelle must learn to hold the ball up (been saying it since last season) and not keep with the flicks, though one very nearly came off. Mane is super tricky and going to cause defenders issues and Long does what he does best - poaches, but lovely play by Juanmi to get him the goal. Very happy with the overall performance against a workmanlike team who knew how to keep the ball. If we stop giving it away so easily, we'll do even better. Gutted I'm not going next week now!
It's late and I should be asleep, but I really don't know how you can question Pelle's fitness and work rate. Yes he is a typical gesticulating Italian, but he works really hard and was definitely up for the match. We can agree on his hold up play being poor at times and his annoying penchant for flicks, but I can't agree on your assessment of his effort. I might be being generous, but I think Vitesse were pretty much man marking Clasie. He just didn't seem to be able to find any real pockets of space. He looked a yard short(not just in stature) to me and perhaps that injury tweak confirms he was not 100% Big Vic and Davis were excellent and managed to carry Jordy through. However we looked unbalanced with Davis playing in a deeper midfield role, I much prefer him further forward
I think Pelle gets a hard time on here. Personally, I think he is generally excellent. He has the odd bad game, but even then he puts in a shift. What I have found is that pundits who are ex-CFs find him to be the real deal.
Just got back; crap journey with roads closed everywhere! Take a bow big Vic!!! Excellent. Cedric - I could be falling for you. Super and how many times did he find himself on the byeline? I likey. Mane - super, super, super Maya - immense Stekkers - loving that concentration Targett - composed Fonte - oh captain, my captain Davis - was ok Tadic - some good link up play and was kicked to pieces Clasie- started to grow into it... It'll come Pelle - thunderbolt of a strike, but can you see me after class please.... Hold the blasted thing sometimes please!!!! Good run out for July. Proud to be a Saint
Really? Which pundits. Any ex-CF should be questioning his hold up play. If he would just shield the ball and hold it up, he'd be excellent, really excellent. His first half summed him up tonight; he had me pulling my hair out in frustration before thumping us into the lead. He really must learn how to hold it up. You can't help but love him, but he drives me insane.
Considering this was first competitive game with a very new look side (and without the significant influence of Morgan) I don't think much more could be asked. I think back four looked OK; Wanyama was his usual tank like presence; Mane was outstanding and a typical Shane Long cameo along with a clever chip from Juanmi was the icing on the cake. From a different perspective, I thought Pantic controlled the midfield for Vitesse in the second half and I was glad he was not on from the start or it could have been a very different outcome. He has some real quality and think he will be knocking on the Chelsea first team squad door very soon.
It's interesting reading other people's opinions, I guess we can only go on the interpretation of what we've seen. There were occasions tonight where Pelle seemed uninterested. This came across to me through not chasing everything down, complaining about others and this combined with the flicks, etc frustrated me and some around me. Some people comment on Long and his running but not always having an end product it just seemed that his endeavour tonight was the sort of attitude that was needed. He would've run through a brick wall or three tonight and would keep getting up for more. From my interpretation of Pelle, I don't feel he would've done the same. The walls would be the wrong brick or too high...! However, I am balanced and will take on board the opinions of others and try and watch next Thursday with fresh eyes to see if I'm being overly harsh.
You quite obviously see a different player to me, FLT. Whereas I forgive him the occasional error, you must be counting them up. In his position he's going to make errors. It's really OK. You gamble and take chances in the opposition's half. Sometimes they come off, sometimes they don't. And of the ex-CFs, the one I can remember by name was Shearer.
In those League One and Championship days we used to put 3 goals past a team and, because we were nice chaps, give them a goal back for making such an entertaining match of it. These days we have the clean sheet [said in Whispering Dave's accent] mentality which doesn't allow for any such charity.
If Shearer thinks Pelle is the real deal in his all round play, I'd be amazed. He may have made a comment once, but I bet he doesn't think that overall. I must see a different player. Technically he lacks. Yes he tries and is extremely passionate, but that doesn't mean high attainment. I couldn't disagree with what you've said about him more. You gamble sometimes; he gambles always. One of the most important parts of CF play is relieving the he pressure of your defence by holding the ball up and keeping possession- I don't see him doing that enough. From about 65 minutes on tonight, the ball kept coming straight back. Any CF watching Pelle's game would be frustrated. He plays in the position I played and I watch how he positions his body when receiving the ball and if he has a glance to see where the CB is and if he has an arm out to feel him and then get his body between the defender and the ball. The most annoying thing for me is that he is so big and so strong, yet continually I see him fail to use that strength to hold off a CB, whilst keeping possession. I can assure you that having a CF that gambles instead of holding the ball up most times is not good CF play. Rickie Lamberts hold up play and touch were excellent compared to Pelle. He would bring people into the game with a simple hold up and lay back pass. If Pelle could just do some of that it would make a massive difference.
I agree pretty much with your assessment other than I thought Davis was better than okay - thought in the first half some of link-play was good and showed good energy throughout. When he was moved back into central midfield, not so effective.
We have to remember that in any previous season this would be a preseason game. Some of the players are going to be off the pace a bit. The most important thing is to win and we comfortably did that, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Anyone notice the location of the crest on the shirt is different on various players? On some its centre of the red stripe and on others it sits somewhere on the border of the stripes. Anyone know why? please log in to view this image
