Wow. Best performance in quite some time. Organised, aggressive, combative, calm, managed the game. It's like he did what he said he did on the training pitch. It's such a difference when a coach breaks expectations down into understandable chunks and makes the brief simple. There were clear 'solutions' to problems. If Chelsea are starting to overrun, do this. If ABK does this, you do that. etc. The big difference I saw was game management: when they needed a break, they took it with some simple passing (hence the difference in possession stats). Didn't try anything fancy, just held the ball for a bit. They also looked like they had been working on passing options, pep style (the whole, always have 3 options when you have the ball and off the ball, your job is to give the options), which is definitely new. Also, man management-wise, the players have fully bought into the plan, the man and mission. Impressed. Players wise, they all had a good game with the possible exception of Moi. He is solid and does his job, but is there as a creative player and is so often awful at it. Needs to be in a lower tier and he'll shine. Have to hope that Alcaraz will be able to replace him soon enough.
Such a contrast from JWP At the end of the match last week (after NJ disappeared quicker that the freezer from the Banksy in Margate) JWP, to his credit, came towards a very unhappy Kingsland/Northam applauding the fans with a sense of dejection and no hope. Contrast that to today, there is belief.
We've got Selles Ruben Selles I just don't think you understand He's gonna keeps us up And win the FA Cup We've got Ruben Selles What a win What a fight One of the best away performances we've put in for many a year. ****ing get in
Not going to bash Moi, because he is what he is and successive managers have put him ahead of others, on the team sheet BUT when we have a breakaway and he is one of 3 players supporting the ball carrier, he must be the absolute last choice to pass to, unless the defenders have the other 2 in headlocks. His lack of pace just kills the move as soon as the ball is passed to him.
But our match finished so late, it was - almost - like winning the later kick off. After rivals had won earlier in the day and really put the pressure on us
I thought Moi did fine today. We Played a 442 with both wide players coming in extremely narrow to press the midfield and they both did it really well. That was the primary job, Stu provided a little more thrust down the other side but he did absolutely fine. Lavia was brilliant and Tall Paul caused absolute havoc.
His decision making in the final third is pretty useless too but we won with a very encouraging performance so i'll forgive him, we have much better options though and i'd like to see Charley or Sam ahead of him.
And he is saying "I told you love, I trained them to do this. See how fit they are - they are the fittest team, just like I am so fit. Was hoping Mara would have got sent off as then it would have been an easier last 15 mins for us to do stuff. Gutted, Rasmus pulled the trigger too soon. I am vindicated. With respect, this was down to me"
What was the Mara challenge like? People on the radio saying it should have been a red card. But it was explained as an attempted overhead kick.
In real time i just saw it as a 'footballing injury' Mara attempted an overhead, and Azpilicueta put his head down to block. Not a red for me - I don't think you could say it was reckless etc.
