Agreed, JWP sent in some great set-pieces, and I don't recall any poor efforts. Time wasting should have been pulled up by the ref and I think it's about time that football had a rule that if you are so badly hurt that you need to call on the physios then you are obviously not going to be ready to come back on the pitch for a minute. Insisting that the player hobbles slowly into touch before immediately bouncing back on just encourages the time-wasters. Some very slick movement from Saints on occasion. keep calm and in RK we trust.
I've just got back too and pretty much agree with that. Some twats near me were booing at the end. FFS I'm Pretty chilled and think we'll win comfortably.
Okay, just got in from a wedding and watched the game on telly. Not read a single post on here as yet, so here's my thoughts with no bias! 1 - We can still absolutely win this tie 2 - Chris Perry is an awful commentator 3 - They're a decent team 4 - I was very pleased when they took Sisto off 5 - Caulker was decent 6 - Romeu looks like Diet-Morgan. I liked his positioning and play in the first half from what you can see on TV. Faded second half. 7 - We have the essence of a decent team 8 - I don't know what Fats has said, but Pelle today kinda confirmed my feeling that he has learnt something and is playing simpler this season. He clearly reads this forum because I thought his hold up/lay-off play was very good today. Frustrating result, but not a completely devastating one all things considered. Again, kinda feeling positive, but it's going to take time. Right. Now I'll read what you lot thought!
I actually don't think that was JWP's role to be that offer I from of Targett in the first half; it was the fron two and neither of them made their runs. Hayride did ine in first few minutes on the right and should have scored on his left, but took it with his right. After that both he and Pelle were fairly static and there must have been half a dozen times Targett was looking for one of them to make that arced run into the channel. They both had much better movement after half time so I think Ron had a word. A word for Pelle. First 20 minutes I thought "here we go again" especially when he blocked a clearance on our left and then did a naff flick inside to nobody, but after that he he started to hold the ball up properly in the last 15 minutes of the first half. He suddenly seemed to take his time and not rush things. Three things in that last 15 minutes of first half. Once he found himself halfway into their half with the ball and he controlled it, held it while their defenders run passed him and he then rolled it out to Targett who continued the attack. He then had his back to goal on the edge of the box, held it, didn't Rush and found the angle to turn and shoot left footed. Finally, just before their goal he got the ball inside their box with his back to goal and instead of rushing a turn, he held it and laid it off to Mane. This is exactly the sort of play I think we need from him. Simple not flashy. I then thought his hold up play and link up play in the second half was excellent. Thanks Pelle, I enjoyed you tonight. He think he looks so much better when he keeps it simple.
Haha! Just read everyone's posts. Seems I'm on the same page from that. Pelle bang on today which was great to see.
The way Pelle dominated their centre backs second half was very encouraging, but we didn't manage to create a good chance for him. Feel we must play Soares in the 2nd leg as Yoshida had space but couldn't take advantage. Yes it's early doors and it's potentially a confidence issue, but I have serious doubts on Caulker. He lacks the composure we need. Give him a header to attack A* - Other aspects in his game seem to be missing and I thought he made a lot of unnecessary panicked clearances. Romeu was unlucky to get booked early on which may have taken something from his game, but it's good that he has the temperament to adapt and still put in a solid shift. Big Vic switched off for their goal. I think he was imagining his half time orange. Midtjylland were as expected. Well organized, physical and hard working. The time wasting and half the team cramping just shows the shift they had to put in to compete with us. Overall another step in the right direction(eventually) Bertrand, Clasie and a quality centre back and I think we will have a very competitive and well balanced side.
Likewise. Last word on Pelle - It's harder for him to do the things that make him look bad, than the stuff that makes him look like a top notch centre forward. He just needs to realise that. Tonight made me think (along with signs of the same over the start of this season) that he might just have done that.
Pelle played like a man possessed with a point to prove second half. I'm going to say it he was man of the match for me. Plus I was right when I said I would love it if we scored from a corner earlier in the thread. And I was loving it all for 3 seconds until the French ref awarded a free kick for an imaginary foul.
The result was a little disappointing, conceding an away goal etc. But the performance was ok, some positives. Stekenelenenenberg made a great save 1st half. Not sure if he could do anything about goal? Fonte = beast Yoshida is not a fullback. Caulker- jury still out but for the most part did fine Wany was good Romeu looks like he may be the part Pelle worked hard J-rods 1st comp goal Mane is staying
I just saw that Alex Crook retweeted some player ratings from someone who gave Pelle a 4/10. I give up sometimes!
Fonte made some great blocks, but he has to put his hand up for that goal. It was a very poor header.
No, but it was someone who writes about football for a national. Come on DTLW - show them how it's done!
