About time Col great report as mentioned there were no streams so I rely on your unbiased opinion always a pleasure to read. I know you have written several others but the one that I will never get out of my Head was the first one you wrote last season where I was able to watch online that day and I really hated that report because I agreed with 95% of it and it wasn't pretty reading
Great write up Col. I can't remember the last game I enjoyed a game as much as this one. It's been a while. Our passing at times was outstanding as seen in Rollers clip above. I think a special mention should go to Barton. He was getting clattered all through the game as Boro were obviously targeting him. He didn't react once. On one occasion he was straight back up on his feet after a crunching challenge by Varga. He could of got the player booked had he stayed down. He didn't have a bad game either and seemed to enjoy his football again.
We were untouchable at times and the composure on the ball was lovely to see. Barton/Faurlin/O'Neill and Kranjcar were outstanding in midfield. Carroll gave the ball away sloppily on at least 8 occassions, half of them in very dangerous positions. It was a surprise to me that be played as the deep lying midfielder but I can see the sense in it as he always gives the defenders an option to pass to so they rarely if ever have to just lump it forward. He'll get better. I particularly like the way he ALWAYS passes and moves, never stands still and admires the pass. He covered alot of ground too and put in some good tackles, if he can eradicate the sloppy passes from his game he'll be great as that deep lying playmaker which in turn allows Ale to get a little further forward and influence the game more, which I thought he did superbly yesterday. MoM for me was either Barton who never stopped working/tackling/harrying and also barely misplaced a pass, or Kranjcar who looked at ease and so classy throughout the whole game. It's nice watching a team of players where not one of them looks as though they are in it for themselves and they are always looking for the pass, rather than holding on to the ball too long or going for glory themselves. Sounds strange to say considering his early season form but I almost didn't want Hoilett to come on as he rarely passes the ball in the final third and I thought he'd disrupt the rhythm that we had. Best I've seen us play for years - and that includes our promotion season.
I thought the player ratings are a little on the high side BUT boy, did we play well! We caressed the ball in that period of the second half & the move was well deserving of the standing ovation. Winning, every player working hard & playing proper football. What more could we want? Hope it continues next week!
That's an excellent observation of Carroll, especially that he is always available for the centre backs to pass the easy ball. Also, on Hoilett, I understand where you're coming from. It will be a challenge to play as well as that in possession whilst playing Hoilett and Phillips out wide. Yesterday we basically had 5 central midfield players spread out across the pitch. Maybe Harry will pick and choose when to play with the wide men and when not to when everyone is available.
I really thought that we WERE that good mate, although Boro were poor. Ehmer really had next to nothing to do. What he did do he did well and looked confident. Not tested at all though mate.
So do we stick with that Midfield for the Barnsley game? Hoilett, Phillips and SWP bring pace and add something different to the mix but having 5 ball playing midfielders really seemed to work yesterday. At least it will keep other managers guessing
It's a hard one to answer imo. Perhaps Harry will pick his side/formation according to who the opposition are. We did still lack a little up front yesterday, although O'Neill and Faurlin did try to get beyond Austin at times. As long as he retains 3 central midfielders, then playing 2 wide men may not stop the nice possession football too much.
I'm not at the beach (wish I were), but I'm still wearing my shirt today, much to the chagrin of my wife, since we're having the outlaws over for supper later - "you're going to change before they arrive" she just said - I think not, it's just a casual family get-together.
Very true, there is no way many teams will stand off us like M'boro did yesterday. The options we now have across midfield is amazing for this league. Can Kranjčar play in the middle?
I think this would be my midfield at home vs Barnsley. Then for the 3 tough away fixtures have Carroll or Henry playing in front of the back 4. Kranjčar Phillips Barton Faurlin O'Neil
Thanks for that Col, great read. Just back from a week out of the UK so delighted to learn my beloved Rangers have put in a great performance with a bit if class too.
It could be the key to unlock defensive minded opponents at HQ which we have struggled with so far this season. Wingers like Hoilett, Phillips and SWP have the tendency to run into blind alleys. But it's great to have options like we have in the midfield department at the moment. Horses for courses I guess, Harry has got a lot of choices which can only be a good thing.
A massive improvement yesterday, with some superb slick passing. Just a slight sense of frustration that the domination didn't produce more goals, with Austin still somewhat isolated. Barton was superb again and it was great to see Faurlin back and close to his best. Krancjar oozes class and gave hints of what we can look forward to when he is fully fit. We are going to dish out some proper hammerings soon.
