Was superb in every department today. I made a point of watching him personally for the full 90 mins and he is definitely an unsung heroes for us. His positional play is exceptional. Catts needs to look over his shoulder, cause it's hard to choose between them imo.
Rodders looked right in his element in the same position vs Citih. Is there room for all three at the club? They all look cracking in that position.
Rodders was good today aswell. Hope his injuries not bad. His height makes a big difference. Liam was exceptional. Constantly making interceptions and breaking up play.
I like the kid, for a player that doesn't get much game time he always seems to do well when he gets on the pitch. Gus obviously saw something in him as well and he's young so one for the future or if Catts gets injured/suspended.
Hope Roders can improve as a box to box, looked poor most of the season then one game at DM and bam! He looked like a 10m player. I'm very happy with Bridcutt. I gave him allowances last year as his missus had a difficult birth with his son. So there was no way I was going to judge him on last season. He looks the part.
Two out of three should play every game in my opinion, Rodwell's hieght also gives us an advantage at set pieces etc,. but so far has not been able to string two games together. But when he looks good he looks top drawer. We need to play with two DM's Gus not one tweak the system ffs.
Personally I think we play too defensively anyway, I'd rather see us attack more and take the game to opponents rather than see how well we can defend.
I was at the City game and forgot Rodwell was playing before his goal. Didn't see what you did I'm afraid.
It is not a defensive system, we still have four attacking players in front of them and hopefully with two wing backs (Jones and PVA) who can get into the box. The reason would play Catts and Briddo together is to cover our slow CD's Jos/Wes/Santi/ Coates, both players are needed on the pitch imo until we have much better options than at present.
Really? Wow. Missed couple of passes all game, forced man city to the flanks, apart from Ya ya's goal they didn't have sniff down the middle and were restricted to long shots. Opta had him as our best player and third best on the pitch, Roker report gave him a 8, so did the Northern Echo as did the Sunderland Echo. I thought he was the heartbeat of a defensive masterclass in the first half. I was very impressed.
Not sure how I missed that mate but I thought he was completely annonymous. AJ and Seb looked great as well as Ricky and Giack when they came on. Coates, I'm afraid, was a poor signing.
Didn't see todays game but you must admit, we usually set up defensively and let the opposition break us down?
He did it quietly fella, DMs often don't stand out when they're doing a good job. Not all DMs have the attention pull of Cattermole who catches the eye which ever Catt's turns up, usually a safe assured these days. Look at Noble at West Ham, would fully deserve a call up for the fantastic season he's having, But he's not a stand out DM so has slipped right under Hodgson's radar. I'm not convinced by Coates either fella. Not impressed at all.
I'm glad to see that to be honest. I was probably expecting a bit much, I remember his driving runs for Everton and was probably hoping for that. Glad to read I just missed it. Coates can't pass at all and looks uncomfortable on two legs to me. Looks like he should be on all fours scampering around the Serengeti or something.
His harrying and shepherding was out of this world considering the opposition. Was just looking at Man City's pass map where it shows every pass they made on the pitch. Really shows how well a job Roders and the two centerbacks did. They Murdered us on the flanks though. Coates looks a liability to be honest. Wonder if we'll cut his loan short if the right CB becomes available.
Have to agree I think people are overstating how good he was at Citeh. One crunching tackle and a great header from a corner but otherwise just ok I thought. He and others gave the ball away a lot in the first half. I don't think he's best suited to DM. I'd Like to see him arrive in the box to get on the end of crosses, now we have PVA.
