How good was he? We we're all saying that he needed to play against a real top quality CB to show his potential and SSL and Mills showed that whereas Hobbs, Bruma, Mee ect didn't. Every new signing apart from the unfit ones looked good against a special side in Madrid. I thought Wellens was star struck, as was Gally. Kasper, Matt, David, Neil, Lee, Shaun and Paul all had good home debuts. But Sol was immense. I wonder if Jose had a word afterwards
My only worry about this season, is that cos of the money we spent, and comments like those from that prat claridge, every team we play are gonna either be looking to knock us down, or like league one, shut up shop from the start and hope for a 0-0 and nick a point. Now i know it was Madrid yesterday, so you cant really draw comparisons, but in my opinion there is def a lack of fire power, which unless addressed, and very quickly, could lead to our failure to achieve our aim next season. Apart from that tho we looked a very useful outfit, happy days lol...................
Agree with sandiacre_fox. I think we will be getting teams coming to us and putting 10 men behind the ball. Hopefully we now have the know-how, to get behind them and open the game up
I think it showed with Bamba that he plays well when he has an organiser like Mills next to him. My only criticism defensively would be that the gap between Konchesky at LB and Bamba at LCB was too big at times and also did anyone think that Mills didn't look that comfortable on the ball. But yes on the whole we defended well and kept our discipline and shape for the long periods without the ball and I thought the back three (GK and 2 CB's) worked very well together and Mills was the CB we've been crying out for; vocal, pointing and shouting at his defence and organising. Kasper as well was always communicating which was one of Weale's biggest flaws.
Bamba was in a class of his own yesterday and easily won man of the match - Kasper was magnificent in goal, marshalled his defence very well and pulled off some brilliant saves (maybe a bit overly critical on the defence) Leeds fans did say he was very quick to look for someone to shout at when the striker got through, I'd like to think the goalkeeping coach might work on that part of his game, that said I don't want him to become a pussy because that's no good and was one of Weales's faults. Talking of pussies - Come on Gallagher man up - I hope he was just star struck and not feeling a little under pressure from the VERY strong competition for places in midfield, if he is going to let the pressure get to him he will quickly become the forgotten man. How I wanted Waggy to do something magical when he came on - Sadly he didn't - Super Stevie Howard though is the man who just won't give his place up, if you want it off him you'll have to take it Yuki Abe was more physical that I've ever seen him and it was good to see, I don't know if someone had a word or he was looking to impress the significant number of Japanese supporters who were at the game (and probably watching worldwide) - He did though make a couple of potentially dangerous bread and butter mistakes. Real Madrid were a joy to watch - Their passing and ball retention can only be admired - I really hope our guys took that on board and look to emulate their illustrious opponents next season - Even Ronaldo who at times looked a bit of a plonker when a couple of things didn't come off, showed he is clearly a world class player with some magnificent stuff. What a day, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thank you to the Raksriaksorn family for setting up the event
Sol was great, Sven has been great with all our defensive signings this year, thought they all did well, and can only see the ammount of goals scored being a problem for promotion this year.
