Said the player who left the penalty spot for the corner didn't do his job and cost us the game. He's developing a habit of throwing his players under the bus in the post match interviews. Bollock him behind closed doors by all means, but nothing good comes of blaming players publicly.
Well I got what I wanted. But I clearly should have gone further and said "play" rather than "start". I did say in the summer that bringing Fraser back for a season in the PL would be a pointless signing.
No he wasn't but if he gives a free kick for example to one team then you have to for the other if a similar offence is committed.
I’d love to see a replay where you can see the bench to see if RM himself or any of the coaching staff were going bananas at the fact we set ourselves up wrong for the corner - I’d bet any money no one was! Mistakes can happen, especially in the last minute of a game - but that’s where leadership and experience comes into it, either on or off the pitch. Who is ensuring and taking control of these situations to avoid repeats of previous mistakes - no one by the looks of today. That’s the fundamental problem and our biggest downfall.
The game changing moment was Cooper taking off a FB for Fatawu. That was basically Cooper going all-in. It opened up the game massively. Just bringing Fatawu on would have been impactful, because he destroyed us last season, but to do it in place of a defender was a massive game-changer. We had two options. The defensive option of trying to shore up our left side (even more than it already was). Or the attacking option of seeking to exploit the regular vacant space in their right back area. Sadly, we did neither. Martin's reaction to that tactical change was awful. His subs in general were awful - unforgiveable to leave the experience of Lallana on the bench - but to see Cooper do him over like that, I think it has to be the end.
Each to their own, but I wouldn't say criticising an unnamed player (could've been 10 of them) as throwing them under the bus. Of course, if he came out and said "oh player x ****ed up and didn't do his job properly" I'd agree.
Still not read anything yet so sorry if covered but a few more thoughts. Lallana must not be fit. I can't imagine he wouldn't have brought him on if he was and the game was crying out for him for quite some time before their first goal. But it begs the question that if he's not fit why is he being named in the squad? How did Aribo play the full match? He looked absolutely out of it by the 70th minute where he became a passenger. Definitely not a 90 minute player. The subs in general were poor I thought. Smallbone and Fraser were not what was needed. Big fan of Fernandes but thought he was out of sorts today. Passing very erratic. Tall Paul doesn't jump at all does he? Though I think we should have had a pen for at least one of the two occasions the defender was all over him No idea why Sulemana took so long to shoot for his chance at 2-2. Took far too many touches, so frustrating. Referee was beyond atrocious. Like really really really really bad. Becoming a theme. Atmosphere was okay in patches but completely dogshit when needed most. Poor imo. On a positive note Manning had a decent game I thought and delighted Archer scored again. We looked more threatening than we have in most games this season. Can't see Martin surviving this. Feel for him a bit in some ways as it's a sour note to end on but I genuinely feel we'll be in Derby territory if he stays all season. While I don't believe the squad is good enough to stay up I think it can be more competitive than we have been. We also look unfit which is such a basic requirement it's unforgivable to fall short on. City next, that'll be fun. UTFS
Sorry, just got back from Northam Fan Zone which was surprisingly in good spirits. Haven’t read previous. Someone please tell me why their injured play after treatment wasn’t sent to sidelines? Someone behind me said it’s refs decision? If so, I’ve NEVER seen that implemented ever until today. Moving on, thought Taylor apart was excellent today & very obvious why he’s in our top 3 refs …. discuss? Imo I think he’s a **** & I’ve never said that before on here. RM? Subs whay too early, especially those ones & absolutely cocked up. Need more beer.
Haven’t checked but someone rightly mentioned “no CB” on bench!? But we have Lallana who cannot be fit or we would have used … I’m totally ****ing lost!?
Think the rule changed on that recently where if it was due to a foul they can stay on. Or something like that anyway. I'm curious to know why it took so long for Smallbone to be allowed back on though? The bigger pisstake was Leicester delaying their own free kick in the first half for an injured player who was off the pitch.
