Morning all Please feel free to chip in. I woke up this morning thinking I should be happy with a point but it feels like a loss. Obvious talking point is the Meslier howler, add to that the weird attempt to save the Norwich penalty, he has cost us 4 points this week. I think he’d be well advised to look at his reactions at the end too, pictured laughing with the Sunderland boss (his old coach) doesn't look good even if it was harmless. Firpo storming off down the tunnel, frustration I guess, maybe added because it came off his head so officially an own goal. On to the positives, reading a few Sunderland reports, they were impressed how Tanaka and Rothwell bossed midfield and questioned why Gnonto isn’t playing in the PL. They seem 50/50 on whether they deserved a point, the fact is they were not close to deserving all three. Sunderland at home this season before yesterday, won all four, scored 8 conceded none, as for their home support, it’s laughable that half the ground was empty when the equaliser went in, apparently it happens most home games. For us to play that well with Solomon, Gruev, James and Ampadu all out speaks volumes. You would also hope the new lads will only get better with the extended game time. International break and I hope James and Solomon are nearing a return afterwards
Agree with most of that Risty. Not sure we can blame Meslier for the penalty but he can certainly be questioned about a goal vs Pompey and then last nights howler. That's 4 points already. My question is how many points has he saved us this season? I can't think of any to be honest but I'm open to offers. In the cold light of day, a point at Sunderland is a solid point but it's frustrating knowing we could be heading in to the international break with 7 points from Coventry home, Norwich away and Sunderland away. That would be a statement of intent from us. Instead, we go in feeling like we lost.
I just feel sickened. First 10 mins Sunderland on top then the rest of the half we bossed it.. 2nd half we got our goal and like the Coventry game we mananged the game and let them do the work hoping to catch on the counter. We did that until the gift. I cant defend him in anyway ok it marginally may of moved but not enough to say a gift from god. It was a massive massive keeper blunder and he has to hold his hand up. Its not the end of the world but the timing of it leaves us evenmore frustrated. No use slagging him off we cant change it and all the slagging off just hurts the teams morale. I do believe though his time is coming to a end here though the fickle fans even before the mistake have a new scapegoal. Shotstopping hes fantasic commanding his box and disribution absolute awful. While hes in goal i will support him hes still one of our own.
I think he’s okay at shot stopping, the odd great save but who doesn’t do that (excluding Rachbuka). Yesterday Sunderland did what a few have done this season, they stand tight to our full backs when Meslier has the ball, limiting his options, opposition coaches know his distribution is poor and they pressure it
Put this on the match day thread, but seems it’d fit this thread as well: Difficult one really. Thought it was a terrific performance, well managed particularly after we took the lead. Like most, couldn’t see them scoring until Mes intervened. Though speechless straight afterwards here’s what I took from the performance. We are gonna be without Rodon and Bogle shortly. They have 4 yellows apiece and 10 matches remaining to avoid a booking and one match ban. Can’t see either avoiding a ban. Willie and Junior have 3 apiece same number of matches remaining. So we need bodies back quickly and no more injuries. Thought Rothwell and Tanaka looked a reasonable pairing. Their weakness was perhaps defensive cover, but I liked Rothwell going forward. Aaronson is still far too lightweight, at times he did great getting to the ball, then got so easily pushed off it. Also overdoes the turning out of trouble, he did it so much last night he turned back into it at times Never been convinced about Rodon, still don’t rate him. Unsurprisingly much has been made of Mes. Absolute howler from someone I don’t really see has improved in the last few yrs. Never really been convinced about him, but is he any worse than Aaronson(Portsmouth), Rodon(Norwich). Piroe put himself about and took his chance really well. Feel the change was needed, as much, to perhaps wake Joseph up re the need to add goals to his overall play. We did really well defending corners, as we generally did against Norwich (yes I know they had a decent chance immediately before we equalised). I’d have taken a point beforehand. MOT
I know plenty will disagree but here's my take on our season so far. I think we are head and shoulders the best team in the division. We also have the best squad. Apart from West Brom away, we've dominated every single game. All the stats are in our favour. If we keep doing what we are doing we should win this league. However, the one thing you need alongside the above comments is a little bit of luck. So far we've had none. We've also had incredibly bad luck at key moments of key games. We've had two stonewall penalties turned down against Burnley and Norwich. We've had the bounce of the ball last night. We've had Pompey score 3 goals from 3 shots. Both starting midfielders have long term injuries within 3 days of each other and our two starting wingers have suffered injuries also (Solomon and James). We've also had at least two opposing keepers winning man of the match against us. All of this stuff should even out over the season and the fact we are in touch with the leaders at this point is encouraging. I fully expect us go up this season if our luck changes just a little. I know it's Leeds and we feel cursed but eventually something will go in our favour.
Not sure, we’re the best, but only because I’ve only seen the opposition we’ve actually played. But can’t argue about any of the points you’ve made Emu. The only issue for me, is I never believe these things even themselves out. Also concerned about the suspension and injury situation till we get to January. Think we are in a good position overall, considering .
I've just watched Burnley vs Preston. Preston had a goal ruled out for offside. He was half a yard onside. They should have lost. Burnley were outplayed at ER but a series of missed chances by us and penalty decision turned down coupled with the Solomon slip gave them 3 points that day. Luck plays a large factor. I hope our luck changes soon as it's been **** so far.
We need Byram to stay fit and cover the suspensions of Junior and Bogle, we also need Wober back and in form to cover CB. I’m on the same page as you regarding Rodon, he’s decent but nothing special.
We had the best team last season, hence how I’ve been harsh on Farke, I believe we have the best 11 still, and when the injuries return we’ll have the strongest 16
We had a slice of luck last night because if we had VAR Piroe's goal would have been ruled out. We need to get more clinical in the final third and we'll piss this league. Our conversion rate has been a problem for years. I think we need to find space for Piroe, he can finish. I like Mateo and he does a huge amount of work for us but he isn't currently getting the ball into the net. He's making the runs but we're not finding him. We've got Sheff Utd after the break. When are we going to play the **** teams? Every week seems to be a promotion rival.
Este Mes is the latest scapegoat, yes he ****ed up but I don't hear any 606 experts who should replace him.
Exactly mate, a bit the same with the farke out mob. It's so easy to find the negatives but the solutions are more elusive.
No big fan of West Ham but enjoyed their result yesterday. Ironic Kalvin goes back there and ****s up for the first.
I've been critical of Meslier for years. Since the 2nd season in the Premier League. I've given multiple options for a replacement, either like for like but cheaper wages or just better keepers. The last keeper I recommended was Viktor Johannson who played for Rotherham at the time. His save to shot percentage was better than 90% of Championship keepers the season before last and he was on 2k a week. We could have sold Meslier and signed him for around 500k as he was going in to the last year of his contract. He moved to Stoke on a free this summer. It would have cut the wage bill for a statistically better keeper. I'm no expert but I do back up my criticisms with options and reasons. I don't like the accusation. As for Farke, when he was appointed I was very much a Corberan man. The sale of Meslier would have paid out West Broms contract and got us a Bielsa disciple who also knew the Championship. The disclaimer on this one is that I am not calling for Farkes head at all, I think he's doing fine.
