As the title suggests, its another cliche to describe todays game. you have to say a point doesnt really look like enough though. THE GAME Well bad news straight away, no Remy in the side. Hopefully this isnt for too long otherwise we are in trouble. But big Chris Samba and Andros Townsend make their deubts. First half Norwich had the better of, but tbh neither side was hugely impressive. We didnt record a single shot on target in the first 45 mins, not even coming close to really. We just couldn't keep the ball and gave it away time and time again. They had the vast majority of possession it felt like and were passing it around with ease but not doing a huge amount with it. Holt being his usual cheating scumbag self as well. At half time, me and Nines were in agreement that we just needed to go for it. Playing 1 up front against a team like Norwich (no disrespect meant) who are struggling for wins themselves is plain stupid really. Second half began the same way, so HR brought on Zamora to play 2 up front. FINALLY!! From then on we created chances and Zamora was often at the centre of them. Then the break we were looking for (yes Harry, we got the break you spoke about in the press conference!!), Mackie fouled by Bunn. Penalty. But Adel's spot kick was saved low to the keepers left. You just thought, that was our chance. And indeed it proved that way. Despite end to end action with both sides having decent opportunities it ended 0-0. 4 draws on the spin. THE RATINGS CESAR - 8 - once again made a couple of crucial saves. few poor kicks that went straight to them, but cant complain at all. TRAORE - 5.5 - looked like a bag of nerves (if they came in bags!). the ball was getting trapped under his feet especially first half and snodgrass gave him the run around tbh in the first period. second half did a bit better but not a brilliant performance. HILL - 8.5 - was marking holt so always in for a difficult game as he flings himself to the ground like hes been shot half the time. but holt didnt really do anything of note tbh but did win a few free kicks. hill won most headers and did what was required, when required. SAMBA - 8.5 - again, won most defensive headers, but from corners was marked by turner who is equally as tall so found it difficult. but mopped everything up, and as harry said, if hes only 40 percent fit, whats he like when he is 100% fit. did look short of pace a bit, but he hasnt played since november so that will improve. FABIO - 7 - another good performance in the absence of onuoha. ran down the wing all day and was solid overall. won headers and always around to cause problems. DERRY - 7 - solid. did the simple things well and his passing looked very good in the first half that i noticed. a few difficult passes that were very well timed. i wouldnt say he won the midfield battle but was always around to block, chase, and tackle. MBIA - 6 - average performance. nothing hugely special but overall solid. but still prone to fouling, and v norwich you know they will go down easily and he fell for it. got another booking (7 now) and was rightly taken off as a red was coming. SWP - 6 - had one great chance after a nice turn but completely cocked it up as usual. wasnt really the sort of game for him as they are a physical side and didnt do alot tbh. but big problem was not taking the ball with him when running. TAARABT - 7.5 - always at the centre of our good play and often produced bits of skill to beat a number of players at once. created chances and had the penalty which was saved. decent strike though. but wasted two great free kicks. TOWNSEND - 8 - MOM - really like the look of him. energetic and has pace as well so a good debut. performed well and put some nice crosses in, but we dont commit enough players forwards to get on the end of them. always creating potential chances and a positive approach to the play. gets mom for me due to his energy and what he created. MACKIE - 6.5 - tough game up there on his own, and not the sort of person to be playing that role. first touch wasnt brilliant bar a decent turn and shot. overall not a great game but did better when zamora came on. although still looked a bit off the pace and one step behind zamoras thinking. also blocked a goal bound jenas free kick. SUBS: ZAMORA - 7.5 - only on for half the game but did so well when he did get on. gave their defence something to think about and won many headers. set up mackie a number of times with flick ons and lay offs. we really need him fit asap. JENAS - N/A - not on for long enough tbh but looked confident when passing and had a goal bound free kick that mackie blocked. looks like a decent option. BEN HAIM - N/A - not on for long but looked a bit shaky and gave the ball away a couple of times. came on for fabio who looked injured. FINAL WORD Well firstly, the ref had a nightmare imo. Let them get away with murder and booked their first player on 55 mins after they had been fouling all game. A really dirty team as per usual. Cant believe refs havent got wise that sort of play yet. Yet Mbia got booked in the first half!!! But we just didnt do enough tbh. Didnt go for it until the second half when we need 3 points desperately. Really thought HR would go for it from the off. That said we had the chances to go 1-0 up (namely the penalty) which could have made it a different game. Saying that, we have only lost ground on Reading today who have won 5 out of their last 6. But we are now 6 points off safety when it was 4. We simply HAVE to beat Swansea next week as imo we expected a win today and draw at Swansea. 4 points from both those games is a good return, but we are going to have to put a massive run together now and tbh I just cant see we have enough. We have such a lack of goals. 8 goals at home all season tells you our problem, and tbh we failed to strengthen this area in the window. And our hopes were pinned on Remy who is now injured.
Pretty much agree with all that Judo, except Traore.....5.5? I thought he had a good game and used his pace really well. A 7 for me.
I just thought he didnt do a great deal going forwards and was constantly on the back foot defensively. Gave away two cheap corners, one where he couldnt control the ball with three chances and ended up making a mistake kicking it out for a corner in the process.
Agree with Col. A good report but would give Traore a couple more marks 'cos he really wasn't as bad as Mackie or SWP. I'm beginning to realise my hopes of Premiership survival are looking pretty slim and with Remy out injured I'm almost about to join the 'dark side'
