Meyler didn't control anything second half - he walked aimlessly in circles in the middle of the park, failing to pick anyone up except for those times when he was hopelessly out of position when he just brought them down -no energy, no purpose and no real idea - other than that his constant passing backwards and putting the defender under pressure rather than do something positive and move up the pitch didn't help - woeful - Quinn should have been on for him much earlier as we certainly improved once Meyler left the pitch Our first half performance was as good as Brightons was bad - massive gap in class, Elmo was excellent all night and caused so many problems along the right, Davies and Chester were rocks at the back and Figgy, Koren and Livermore also had very good games - we seemed to take our foot off the gas second half, probably thinking the job was done, don't get any injuries and roll on Saturday mindset, and as a result we really allowed Brighton back into the game - I worry for us in the cup without Long and Jela as I fear we are going to be disappointed - Sagbo hardly looks a scoring threat and whilst Fryatt runs himself into the ground he isn't really all that effective, needs too many touches and is Championship at best, cant see how anyone thought he was MoM except for his constant running
Meyler ran 13 miles on Saturday, and for 55 minutes was running around like a mad man last night, but once his legs went that was it, quinny should have been straight on. Thought Aluko had spells where he was really good and spells where he was really quiet.
I heard Bruce say that as well but I can't believe that's true - 13 miles in 90 minutes is the same as 26 miles in 3 hours which would be a great marathon performance and that's nonstop running - football is full of stops and starts - he actually said Meyer and Livermore ran 13 miles which is more likely between them which is still some going for a football match _ but you're right Meyer should have been off on the hour at the latest
I was just going off what Bruce said, did think it seemed high though! 13km would seem a more realistic number I guess!
Figueroa, Elmo and Livermore for me. Both full backs pushed on really well and helped us to swarm all over Brighton for the first 60 mins, both solid defensively too. A lot of what Livermore did last night went largely unnoticed, but he held his DM position really really well to cover for elmo and figureoa and hardly put a foot wrong
Fryatt - worked harder than I have ever seen him - Ian Rush like Livermore - gave us a touch of class in midfield Elmo - got some great crosses in last night
Completely disagree. I get frustrated when Meyler gives away the ball poorly but both yesterday and at Cardiff he has been excellent. He presents an inside option and adds energy to the midfield. Players like Meyler are often underappreciated by those who know little about football
Meyler had a great game at Cardiff and played well in the 1st half last night. However he did tire in the 2nd half and conceded - probably needlessly - the free kick from which Brighton scored. He also gave another soft free kick away shortly before SB (rightly IMO) subbed him.
Elmo Koren Davies Figueroa was a lot more solid, Meyler broke up play well, Sagbo needed to be up front more, especially once we were two nil up. Fryatt looks better and faster with each game started, whilst Aluko has a great touch and turn capability, just needs to get up to speed and he will come good.
Elmo Livermore Figueroa If we're talking about people running their socks off then what about Elmo - he never stops, and in my opinion has put in some great shifts recently. His crossing/passing is far ahead of what it was and he never seems to give less than 100%, without necessarily getting the credit that others do
Result: Elmohammady Fryatt Davies Table: Davies 38 Livermore 20 Huddlestone, McGregor 16 Elmohammady 14.5 Sagbo 13 Boyd 10.5 Brady, Bruce, Aluko 8 Long, Rosenior 7 Quinn 6.5 McShane 6 Fryatt 5.5 Faye, Jelavic 4 Figueroa, Koren, Harper 3 Meyler 2 Chester 1
