It's Mr Dean in charge. please log in to view this image He did this corresponding fixture last year as well and I don't believe either set of fans were at all happy with the majority of his decisions - more so us for the disallowed penalty though. But what the heck, we won 2-1.
I feel we've made changes for the sake of pleasing senior players rather than for the best of the team. Kvist did not deserve to be dropped. Ah well, I'm sure Felix knows better than me!
I'm not happy with the changes made. Burn and Kvist deserves to play. I don't think Felix has watched any of our games this season because if he did why the hell is Rodders starting?
Hi all... As I am away without constant internet, can't follow much of the developments. Think the selection is puzzling and the lack of knowledge on players. But let's wait and see. Don't forget he knows Kvist. Not surprised he dropped Bent. Hugo will hopefully run their defense and give Mitrogoal a chance later I the game... COYW
From the BBC: "Lewis Holtby totally misses his kick which turns into an assist as the ball runs on for Ashkan Dejagah" I would guess it was a dummy, which Holtby loves to do. I watched him pull his head back from a header at the last moment to give Townsend a goal. If there's a chance to send people the wrong way, he'll take it.
We are dropping too far back.. inviting too much pressure. It's gonna be a horrible finish to the game.
Brilliant, so we've gone from nicking a goal then sitting back and defending deep against Man Utd and Liverpool, to nicking a goal then sitting back and defending deep against West Brom. Fulhaman, would 5 wins and 2 draws from 11 do?
Just as I predicted. The most experienced guys were on the field. Not surprised to see the club captain playing. Not surprised to see Dejagah either. Not surprised to see Parker and Sidwell although I would have preferred Sidwell and Kvist. We created a lot of chances in the first half, second half seemed the same old story but FM is the type of manager who can/will correct that. I'm pleased with a point.
Squirming in my seat watching the last 20 minutes after the substitutions. Okay, the Amorebietta one I understood (although JAR made me nervous) but the Hugo and Richardson ones left me so, so anxious. Hugo was fine and Kostas with no support and clearly unfit wasn't able offer anything. The Burn for Richardson one was really strange though. It resulted in a complete change in at least three positions and we struggled thereafter to get any shape together And specifically why move Heitinga, who had been magnificient (my MOTM), wide on the right? Parker was obviously struggling - surely a simple straight replacement for him was the best option. That said the lads had a cracking first half. Going in more than one up wouldn't have been undeserved and maybe, just maybe have given us that needed bit of confidence. Oh, Mr Sidwell taking your eye off the ball 3 yards out! Overall it was a gutsy performance and I guess it sums up our current plight to be disappointed in taking a point away from home.
Thought we played really well in the first half and went for my half time beer feeling really positive. Not sure what happened second half... We were shocking. From where I was I didn't think the ball had crossed the line, guess I was wrong though. Apart from their equaliser I thought Stek had a great game and pulled off some great saves.
Bit of an old ticker-tape and balloons day at kick-off. Had some good chances in the first half to be 3-0 up, but same old second half poor passing and a late goal. Not sure about their goal, didn't see it as everyone jumped up, but have been told it crossed the line. Need to watch MOTD to see what happened. I presume goal line tech was used. listened to the Local radio and a couple of Albion came on to say that they'd got away with draw, but could have been 3 down. Agree on Amorebieta sub, he had a poor game, but the other two. Magath needs to learn that Riise needs someone like Richardson in front of him, because he is a weak link in defending and needs cover, don't take him off because we were all over the place after that. Magath should have seen that Parker was dead on his feet after 75 minutes. Sidwell was pumped up so much I thought he might get two yellows. Hugo was doing well pressuring there center backs, but our passing to him got really poor 2nd half, we kept just lumping it up in the air. Anichebe was getting away with all the nudges and shirt pulling, but I think Heitinga handle him well and had a good game. Holtby had a good 1st half, but faded in the 2nd. Dejagah was really doing well and taking on their fullback. I was cursing when Holtby and Roda fluffed their kicks, little did I know....
