Wiji looked better when he was moved to the wing. Sissoko should be dropped for me, I've never know a pacy player to run then just stop in the final third. He needs to just run with it. As for mitro he needed that goal. Just goes to show with good service he can score. He reminds me a lot of temuri!
This is a constant source of confusion, not just with MOTM awards, but with team selection too. As fans we see one thing on the pitch and then when the professionals are choosing MOTM, or successive managers keep picking players we criticise, it is hard to fathom what their thinking is. I'd like to think I'm at least half decent at reading a football game after 40 odd years watching them (and a few playing) but I think sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and accept that sometimes the professionals see things we don't. It's different if it is just one manager making decisions, but we've now had 4 come in and pick players we don't rate (not saying Wij isn't rated). As much as we criticise Pardew, Carver and McClaren, it is hard to see how they all make the same mistake - especially when a proven manager like Rafa comes in and picks the same players. Edit: I know it is far from scientific, but Wij picked up the 3 bonus points from Opta in FF too, which is based on having the most key contributions. Defoe picked up 2 points.
Realistically we were very poor. We carry very little goal threat. Sunderland also look awful and I have to say we look like 2 teams destined for the league below. The only thing I would say is that Defoe might keep them up because he will always score goals. I'm struggling to pick out good performances from our lot. Mbemba had a decent enough game. I thought Kirchoff was good for them but I thought Rodwell was comfortably MOTM. First half anyway. They were the better side first half and just about deserved to go in ahead overall. Obviously it was role reversed 2nd half. I've heard it noted that this was due to them sitting back. Personally I just thought we manned up a bit 2nd half and didn't let Rodwell and Kirchoff run the game. We saw the benefit of Rafa tactically. The switch of Gini was an excellent move (who was shocking, can't believe Sky Sports supposedly named him MOTM - who was responsible for that selection??) I know there was a clamour to move him from the wing but personally I think its his best role as he just goes missing in the middle at present. I think the oppo teams have worked out he is struggling with the physicality of the PL a little. He doesn't fancy a tackle much at all. He has quality on the ball though. Time will see Gini in a much better light and all told he hasn't had a horrific first season. Always takes time to adapt. Probably Man U or Spurs will benefit when he moves in the summer All in all a draw was a fair result for two very poor sides.
From whom? After the match Gini was interviewed by Sky with Man Of The Match writtern under his name.
That's sky's man of the match, given by some partially schooled numb ex pro in the studio. They name their own(like many channels and papers do). BBC post the official motm.
Correct on all fronts. I have no idea what happened with that Santon deal. He wanted to stay. I thought Benitez was good. He can adapt mid game. He saw we just were not getting anywhere, knew there was absolutely no way we could lose that so instead of just sitting on his hands got them playing the ball out wide got fwds on the pitch and went for it. No d*cking around until it's too late.
