The way we pressed the ball was my favourite bit, totally different to the easy to play against shambles we were. Welcome back Peter Wittingham!! He was absolutely superb for 70 minutes today.
Agreed about Whitts and especially the 70 minutes bit - Manga was superb until the final whistle. Whitts was back close to his best until we started to funnel back for the last 20. He'd lost the support of Gunnar by then and Adeyemi only lasted a couple of minutes in that slot. To be honest, Daehli coming on as his replacement was a no show. He tried hard, but was out of his depth defending alongside Whitts and it showed.
In fairness to Daehli and Slade the situation was forced on us. I expected ralls to go central and john to be brought on but that ignored that Noone was desperate to be replaced. The calculated risk of sticking him left back to minimise his running almost back fired as the goal came via a tired and booked noone being beaten but Slade immediately responded and put Ralls back there to see out the last couple of minutes. Manga did get lucky a few times, he needs to know when the ball cannot be won. On another day a few of the times he sold himself trying to win a header that was never his could have hurt us. I do think the positives of his aggressive style far outweigh the negatives though. I think we could have won today with Connolly in next to Morrison, Witts however was instrumental in everything good we did, scored the winner, was the best player on the pitch and was therefore a worthy MOTM.
As always Stevo, I respect your opinion - but I still think Kimbo falls over a lot........ Whitts had his best game of the season by a mile yesterday, but he didn't have to improve on his previous games very much to achieve that. Scoring the "winning goal" isn't necessarily a qualification for man of the match - it's just as important to keep them out at the other end. You could equally say that Macheda's was "the winning goal". Manga did make some rash challenges but he let that Assombowhotsit bloke know he was there. Apart from the consolation goal he got (which was a team failing not just Manga), he hardly got a look in all game despite his reputation coming into it. Back to Whitts, he certainly was tremendously influential in midfield. If Slade can keep him playing like that for the rest of the season, we've got a real chance of getting something out of this season - even autos.
I was lucky to be in hospitality on the Match Sponsor's Table yesterday - thank you Sytner BMW & Mini!!! We were sat right behind the players, great seats. Management wanted Declan to come on but he was complaining of a thigh problem so wasn't risked. I thought Ralls had done a good job at full back (could be his best position as he looked lost when put into the midfield holding role) against a very good winger - who was he? Lol!!! I also thought it strange that Noonie went there. While knackered he had done a great job and was always a threat keeping their full back busy and being double marked quite often. By pushing him back we lost our out ball and put ourselves under pressure by allowing them licence to get forward. Anyone remember Sunderland last season? Very similar yesterday but we got away with it. Gunnar went off with a hip injury - he had his best game of the season as well even though must have been tired after 2 rewarding Iceland games and the travel involved. Anyone know what was wrong with Adeyemi? Did he over stretch for the one lunging tackle he made? he went straight down the tunnel. We all knew Macheda wouldn't last the game. He was knackered at half time but at least that is 15 minutes more than against Norwich. Perhaps the extra training is working. I wonder if Macheda is or has been a smoker? Hope he is okay for Tuesday as we played much better football with him on the park. Agreed on Kenwynne. He was keen to get on and pleased to get the call. But a useless lump once on. Anyone know what happened with Fabio in the warm up. He was in when Roger Gibbins announced the side but out 5 minutes later. By the way Gibbins agreed with our table on manga being MoM. Quite a few other players turned up in the Ricoh Lounge. Cala, Guerra, Turner, Connolly, Oshilaja and Velikonja were sat at a table giving autographs and letter people take photos. Then Burgstaller and Dikgakcoi arrived. Gibbins tried to do an interview with DGK but he was very hard work. Doesn't seem to have a lot of English and doesn't like being interviewed. The best we got from him was that he was training hard and keen to get on the pitch. Did I see a Slimming World leaflet in his pocket? No sign of Kimbo or Ravel Morrison. I was surprised Morrison wasn't even in the match squad unless injured. I wonder if he has bought into Russell's philosophy? One piece of negative info. Glenn Roeder was again at the match, sat in the directors' guests box.
Fabio felt sick just before the game, and i am sure somebody posted on here that Ravel Morrison was seen limping around Penarth earlier in the week.
The 'winning goal' comment referred more to the fact he smashed one in from 25 yards out of not a lot. It was a moment of inspiration that proved decisive. Noone's amazing goal line clearance in the build up to the first goal was possibly the most important moment of the match. That bit of brilliant defending resulted in a 2 goal swing with Macheda's well taken effort going in less than 60 seconds later. Agreed with Hilts on the other thread that their keeper did not cover himself in glory with either of the goals however that save from Morrison was class. Leaving the ground I was happy that we were debating who had been the best player on the pitch out of a number of outfield players. Witts, Gunnar, Morrison, Manga, Brayford, Alf were all excellent. Only really KWJ let himself down. It's typical of the guys attitude as most 5 goal top scorers would have come on to that pitch desperate to show Slade he'd made a big mistake leaving him on the bench. KWJ wandered about being totally outworked by ALF who'd already put in a big 65 minute shift.
