The first half was shocking wasn't it? If you got points for the amount of times you pass it back to the keeper, we would be well top of the league. It was like we were afraid to pass forwards.
Up until the first goal (all five minutes of it) we were on it. First goal shouldn’t have stood and then it’s a chaotic ten minutes where three players miles out of what we can afford combine for a good second. Apart from that I didn’t think it was that awful. They had three shots on target and seven overall so not like we were peppered.
I thought we were very very poor. The 2nd half showed what we are capable of when we go on the front foot.
Think with hindsight Varane and Lloyd weren’t the correct picks against such a strong side. The depth they had to change it while only getting worse was ludicrous. This league is ****.
Kilburn: Go to YouTube, and (if not already offered) type-in "Highlights: Sheffield United vs QPR" Works a treat for me. Make sure it's for this season, otherwise it might show an old game from previous seasons! (Fond memories of Canada. Lived and worked in the west (Calgary and Edmonton) for nearly 8-years) Sorry, Kilburn, have just noticed Hammersmith has already suggested YouTube!
Problems to solve on the evidence of 2 league games: 1. As always, Sam Field is too slow to help with a press or close down breakaways. It looks like Varenne is exactly the same plus he isn't as strong. I'm not sure I'd play either of them but certainly not both together. 2. I see qualities in Paal that others seem to miss but his positional sense is undeniably dire, leaving way too much room for wide players to run into. Surely this can be fixed by coaching staff? If not he's a luxury we can't afford. 3. It looks like we have at least one good problem with 3 strikers fit and busting a gut to get into the team and take advantage of the threat we can now pose from the wings. 4. Finally, I've no idea how Marti will fill the obvious void in midfield for the Plymouth game but I can be available at short notice and promise not to abuse the officials (much) .
Its a tad unfair to assess Varane based on a couple of 60 minutes or less. Granted he wasn't the best yesterday but he wasn't alone in that first half. Paal looks like a player who's heart isn't quite in it. Nothing more, nothing less in my opinion. Field, who is always steady has yet to play well in these 2 opening games, it's not as if we don't know what he can give us.
