Madsen continuing to improve. First time I have seen him react in frustration - when their goalie saved his first half effort. Last season he never showed any emotion, maybe one of the reasons he was so unpopular. I thought Hayden had a good game too. Got an assist for the goal and generally linked play well. Even the Swansea biased sky commentators remarked on our calmness in defence and I thought Hayden was a big part of that.
I don't get this Field bashing. What did he actually do wrong last night? Never once got skinned by the winger(s). He's not Roberto Carlos but who is? Solid 7/10. People seemed to be slating in him for no reason. Now Kone was pony (Ponay!) last night. Strutted around like he owned the place then giving the ball away at every opportunity especially near our box. He was our worst player, by far, but let's try and bask in the win. Can't remember the last time we beat 10 men.
Winning when playing poorly is a good sign. Don't know what's happened with kone after such a good start at the club. He's been off his game for the last 3-4 weeks but then all players will go through moments of bad form. Same for Dembele - not sure what's happening with him. He's just never in the game. I saw Julien talking to him before he came on and i thought 'tonight's the night' and then he virtually disappeared for 30 minutes! Luckily the spine of the team is playing well and the confidence and comaraderie is there. I'm generally happy with the way we are and when we put out our 1st XI, i think we're a threat to anyone.
Not sure we played badly..... thought it was mainly a controlled, professional performance..... we were the better side when it was 11 v 11.... a team even with 10 players is going to have some time in the ascendancy, especially at home and with the crowd behind them feeling they've been hard done by.....but they still didn't create any chances in that period, we looked comfortable &weathered that storm and took control again last 25 minutes.... should have scored at least a couple more to put game to bed.... Their first attempt on target was in 90th minute which Nardi saved well.....mind the one we did get away with was the chance just before that with the ball across goal which bounced over the striker's leg as he slide in..... But apart from that I thought we didn't look in trouble.....
