Oh weirdly I had the thread maker on ignore so didn’t see it! No idea why as I didn’t think I had anyone on ignore
*Except if the ref red carded 3 of our players in the first minute unfairly, we go 4 down because of it and draw 4-4
In the context of our season so far I’d say that apart from Ipswich, the draws have been disappointing. I always feel though, that a draw is more disappointing when we’ve led the game than when we’ve come from behind. I honestly thought we had enough to beat Middlesbrough and overall the goals we’ve conceded have been frustrating.
I have now watched the last three Northern Ireland fixtures. Shea Charles has been the best player on the park in all three games and two of them were against Germany. Michael O'Neill has a squad of young lads putting in marauding performances where the first thought in every player's mind is to get the ball forward, instantly. They pummelled Germany in search of an equaliser last night and all I could think of was how reminiscent they were of newly promoted Saints back in 2012 and Lawrenson dubbing us "The Red Arrows." Charles was not only the box to box enforcer but also a very effective playmaker. Now, that NI team has a few PL players but primarily it's full of Championship and League One level players and O'Neill has them really punching above their weight. It's obvious why too. They are all completely sold on what they are being asked to do and they attack en masse and at full throttle. I mention this not only because Charles is our player but primarily because the essence of O'Neill's approach is so obviously what we are lacking in our own pedestrian efforts to attack. I hope Still saw the games and recognises that if he were to insist on a gung ho, up and at 'em approach too, he has a player ready made to make that tick.
