Good result in a way, but it will be nervy at SJP - My thoughts on the game

I was disappointed with the attitude of some of our players. They were playing as if it was a training match, and our passing was horrendous.

Sissoko overplayed so many times trying to do something clever, and his pass completion rate was probably around 20% if that.

Our defenders were very good though.

Ratings -

Elliot - 7 - One good save, one fantastic save from that 2nd Eto'o shot. Remained alert and did well when needed.

Simpson - 7 - Good defending.

Perch - 8 - Solid. Good tackling and work rate in defence and midfield.

Mapou - 8 - Solid and made some vital challenges.

Haidara - 7.5 - Unlucky to get booked IMO. His first challenge and Russian players go down like ***gots. Solid defending, good runs, but he can't cross to save Obertan's life.

Anita - 6 - Good defensive work rate.

Cabaye - 6.5 - Good defending, decent passing in midfield during certain attacks.

Marv - 6 - Some frustrating stuff tonight, but worked hard and covered well in defence.

Ober - 6 - Pants attacking first half, but did some good defending, and started to come into the game late on.

Sissoko - 6 - Good work rate, but he really pissed me off tonight. He tried to be too clever, and skin everyone, playing stupid back heel passes.

Ben Arfa - 3 - Passenger up front, and wasted possession and also a good chance, but it was his first game back. He should have started on the bench and came on later.

Shola - 6 - Decent impact. He should have started. We were sitting back and we should have just played long balls to Shola. That would have given us a better chance of getting the ball up the pitch and threatening. I really can't believe that the slightest touch on a defender from him was given as a foul. Foreign football is so damn soft.

MOTM - Perch and Mapou both excellent in defence. Can't decide between them.

Overall - I'd have preferred 1-1 for the away goal, but I think we should be proud that we got a clean sheet and a result since Anzi have a fantastic record at their ground.

It's going to be nervy at SJP. We'll go for it, and Anzi are very dangerous on the break. If they score first then it will be difficult for us. We need to score the first goal and force them from their defensive counter attacking style. We got our tactics spot on tonight, but we almost got caught a few times on the break.

There were a number of players tonight that people will blast, but I don't think it's fair to single anyone out. We played defensively, and many players ****ed up when it came to passing. The team played well as a unit, and we could have scraped a win.

 

I was quite happy with it. Thought the game against Metalist was horrible, but here we had a plan and stuck to it. Obertan was awful, he just ruins moves/gets in the way, really frustrating to watch. Haidara got done and grabbed his man back so I couldn't complain about the yellow, but other than that I was really quite impressed with how we played, considering the pitch/weather/opposition, and we hardly ever played the long punt up front - finally!

 

This!

 

Decent result. They wont be happy at having to come to SJP without a lead. An away goal would of been very useful though.

 

Out of interest, how many did you take?

 

I heard about 70 odd traveled and around 70 odd were local fans.

 

Hey Badger, how's it going? Not seen you on here much.

 

Hope we get a gate of around 43,280 for the return game.

Get behind the lads and encourage them as best we can.

Already got my ticket, hope everybody on here that lives local will be there.

 

48,670 would be even better!

 

True true, but anywhere near the two will do for me. As long as we can make plenty of noise and be a 12th man.

 

The atmosphere should be rocking. Especially if we can beat Stoke in the meantime to get everyone feeling good.

 

Think Stoke will be a harder game than a lot of people think but I hope the guys are up for it and put thoughts of the replay out of their minds. The Premier League is our bread and butter.

 

Sounds like Mapou is becoming a class act

 

I don't think we can afford to concede a goal at St James. I think if we're gonna go through it'll be a slightly nervy 1-0 win.

 

It's a pity that Alan ' Hoofball ' Pardew wasn't more tactically astute, I'm convinced a manager with more nous could have frustrated a novice like Hiddink.

 

That sounds right. You seem like a person whose probably usually right about most things

 

I wish I was Fredd......a sizeable lottery win would have been mine years ago.

A tongue in cheek comment because in my humble opinion the bloke get's so much unecessary stick from certain quarters about being tactically inept. I thought last night he got it absolutely spot on and was our man of the match.

 

Haidara has just turned 20 years old. Considering his young age and lack of first team experience, I thought that once again he was massive. He'll soon take Santon out of the first team.

 

My tongue was vaguely in my cheek area as well.

Hiddink went out of his way to comment on Pard's tactics, which as you say were spot on

 

Echo what's said above freddds post and if it came down to it not sure I could cross to save obertans life ;-)