We head into the international break now with our first 3 points of the season, so that is perfect timing. Also, thankfully we have got our first win well before the time it took us last time! THE GAME It was a fairly even game overall, but I do think we deserved to win it. There was a much greater determination about our play, attacking with pace and numbers allowed us to create a number of chances. We switched to a 4-4-2 formation which seemed to suit us a bit better - everyone looked more comfortable. However, we were almost 1-0 down inside 30 seconds. Sunderland got through our defence with ease, but thankfully shot wide. The first half was a bit cagey from both sides - not wanting to concede that first goal - but chances were coming for both sides. Our midfield was certainly a much stronger unit yesterday, and I have to say Leroy Fer was excellent for us. Just as it looked like we would head into the half time break at 0-0, Charlie Austin stepped up and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from a nice head down from Fer, from a corner. Second half was a bit more open, with Sunderland chasing the game. Both sides had chances, and Green was forced to make 2/3 very good saves. Traore shot wide for us when he probably should have scored, and by this time it was really end to end stuff. Sunderland kept on bringing their keeper up for set pieces nearer the end, something which you don't often see so early on in the season! THE RATINGS GREEN - 8.5 - made three excellent saves at crucial times. He looked to distribute the ball quickly and was pretty solid. HILL - 7.5 - I was a little worried with him being up against Adam Johnson, but I think he must still be in Hill's back pocket now! Hill barely gave him any opportunity and looked comfortable. FERDINAND - 6.5 - not at the same level as previous gams but still didn't look in trouble too much. Was caught out of position a few times, with a few crazy runs forward but overall dealt with what Sunderland threw at us. CAULKER - 7 - solid as ever, I think he could have done a bit better at times but overall a good performance. ISLA - 8 - looked very good and has a huge amount of pace. Certainly better than Simpson as he reads the game so well and if caught out of position he has the pace to get back and tackle. Made clever runs and looks good going forwards as well. BARTON - 7.5 - distributed the ball very well with some calm passing. Never looked fazed and his set pieces were much much better. MUTCH - 6 - haven't been overly impressed so far, but he was better yesterday. But he looks a little slow in possession and indecisive. Bottled a few tackles as well. FER - 9 - MOM - outstanding performance. He really was everywhere! Tackling, breaking up play and then the next minute attacking with pace and power. Had a stunning 35 yard shot which hit the bar. Everything seemed to go through him and he pretty much ran the midfield. Outstanding!!! PHILLIPS - 7 - still not overly impressed at times but was much better yesterday. Thing with him is that I know he can do it, but doesn't do it often enough. Its very frustrating. He puts a great cross in, or does a great run one minute, but is so inconsistent. HOILETT - 8.5 - a great performance from him. One that we all know he is capable of but doesn't show it often enough. Looked confident to take defenders on and beat them most times. Looked a threat all day long. AUSTIN - 7.5 - as usual a performance full of hard work and was rewarded with his goal, which was a great finish on his weaker foot. SUBS: ZAMORA - 7 - came on and did exactly what we needed - held the ball up well and was generally a nuisance to their defence. TRAORE - 6.5 - came on for the tiring Hoilett and did well in defence and going forwards. Made a number of crucial headers away in the closing minutes. TAARABT - 6 - not on for long, but it was great to see him back on the pitch. Got a great reception and had a shot blocked. Wanted Phillips to give him the ball when he was running to the corner in the closing minutes and looked confused why he was going to the corner! Other than that, did his job well. FINAL WORD Well a much better team performance, and this was helped by the likes of Isla and Fer having much improved personal performances. Fer really was outstanding imo - looked a threat every time he went forwards and was just as good defending. Whilst we could and should have put a few more chances away, and perhaps defended a little better at times, it was pleasing to see such a positive reaction after the last 2 games. Now we head into the 2 week break on a high, which is crucial. We also now need to ensure we get a few players in. Replacing Remy and Simpson is crucial imo, plus adding one or two others in midfield. I would hope to see 3/4/5 new players (RB, CM, ST being the crucial positions)otherwise we will end up being a little short.
Thanks Judo. I didn't quite see everything the same as you. It certainly wasn't 4-4-2. On the official site they had it as 4-3-3, which is how I saw it, although 4-4-1-1 is very similar. As you say, Fer was excellent, but he wasn't up front in a 4-4-2, he was the furthest forward of the midfield 3, which is why he was so involved in the middle of the park. I agree that Phillips is very frustrating and seems so slow over the first couple of yards. Hoilett was indeed outstanding and has been for quite some time now (think back to the play off semi and final). He gave Hill tremendous support and could be a very good wing back imo if we switch back to that system. I thought we got better and better in the first half, with the midfield being very attacking, and we deserved the goal and the lead. However, I didn't see the 2nd half as "end to end" at all. I saw it as defence against attack, with Sunderland totally camped in our half for long periods. This explains our 39% possession stat. We gave the ball away far too much in the 2nd half and we won't get away with that against the better sides. The positive thing is that every player gave 100% and seemed to want to play for the shirt. A great sign and a great result going into the International break.
Good report. Slightly harsh scores but the key thing is they ALL played well as a team. One win does not equal survival but it's a good start.
Thanks Judo. A huge improvement on Spurs. Most players put in considerably improved performances, I suppose because they know each other better now, but apart from Isla probably, they look more comfortable with 4 at the back. I thought we, Isla and Phillips mainly, had big problems early on, the Sunderland chance after 30 seconds a good but not only example, but sorted it out as the half went on. Barton MOM for me, Fer a good no 2.
Thanks for the report Judo. What a huge relief, and great timing for finalisation of the transfer window.
Cheers Judo (and Col), I'll add a few random comments and stray thoughts if I may. Green was excellent. I remember many years ago that Bob Paisley was once questioned on why he has signed Gary Gillespie for a bucket load of money and was not playing him. He replied that Gillespie's presence had made Hanson up his game. Maybe McCarthy will have that effect on Greeno. Ferdinand and Caulker were good, apart from Rio's obligatory moment of madness. Caulker is a major threat from set pieces, it is only a matter of time until he scores a few goals for us. In the first half we were ripped open down our right hand side far too easily. I've no doubt the Isla will adapt to a flat back four if that is now the direction we are taking, but was caught out of position far too often. Barton, Mutch and Fer played superbly together, complimented each other's game nicely and seemed to have very quickly developed an good understanding so as not to leave us too exposed. We were pretty much in line with Fer's thunderbolt, I still can't believe it didn't go in. It was also great to see midfield players getting into our opponent's penalty area. Hoilett looked threatening, but still need to take on his full back more often. He clearly had the beating of him, but seemed reluctant to drive on to the by-line. Phillips started poorly but grew into the match, he seemed more willing to attack is full back and when fully match fit will scare any full back. Charlie was clearly not fit but still gave everything and thoroughly deserved his goal. Hopefully it will give him the confidence boost he definitely needs. Shortly after being substituted he went down the tunnel presumably to start getting more treatment. He has all of Mackie's determination, but with a goalscorer's instinct. I'm not sure what else there is to say about Clint Hill. After being replaced in the pre-season yet again, it has only taken 3 matches for him to force away back into the team. I don't remember him putting a foot wrong. He surely can't play there all season, but if everyone of our players had his heart and determination we'd walk this league. Whatever it takes to keep him at this club, we must do it. This may surprise some who know how much I want Barton to go, but he was my man of the match. He played several magnificent "key" passes which, for once, all found their intended target. His set piece delivery was dramatically improved; initially his corners were a little floated and easy to clear, but he got more pace and a lower trajectory on them as the match proceeded. Green was probably second to him. It was great to see us attack and not be too concerned about our opponents countering. Those tactics certainly wouldn't work every week, but I'd love to see us employing them. My season ticket suddenly looks a lot better value; I can't wait for Stoke. And if I may end with a general question which Stan and I discussed leaving the ground, if we have signed Diarra, who do we leave out of our midfield to accommodate him? Follow up questions would include, will it inhibit the fluidity we showed yesterday and will it release Isla from some of his mundane defensive duties allowing him to push forwards where he is clearly more comfortable?
Without realizing rollers dislike of Barton I put in a good word for him when I met him on the train home!
I thought the midfield three were great going forward but they were far too open. The Sunderland midfielders regularly got in the space behind them in front of the back four. If we get a good holding midfielder then I'd replace mutch. As for hoillet. ......I'm really not sure what he has to do for some people. He ripped their fullback apart till the Sunderland man was replaced.
Hoilett certainly had the better of the right back, but I can't remember any significant end product. He constantly cut inside which mostly ended with feeble shots on goal. I do agree though that he could make a decent wing-back, his defensive work was good.
A change of formation, our first clean sheet, our first goal, our first points and first win. We are off the bottom and even mid-table in 12th place. Just what the doctor ordered! ...we just need another 11 such wins.
Exactly what I was thinking. He'll never ever go down the line and cross so we can just let that go. Its not part of his game and it can't be coached into him at this stage. Cutting inside is what he's about. His end product is still often lacking too. You always get the sense that when he has two or three options he'll likely go for the wrong one. His shooting is poor too. His efforts on Saturday were bad. Nevertheless, he turned the fullback inside out on occasions and played well overall. He's a frustrating player but a good one.
Thansk Judo, I was at wedding so only highlights. The stats show they had massive possession over us, did we sit back and let them come at us ? Or were they just out playing us in the middle ? Every body see to say we did ok in the middle but the stats seem to say not ?
I thought we were a lot better in the middle of the park than we were against spurs, Barton and Fer were probably our best players, with Green maybe. But we weren't playing keep ball and missed Ale to calm things and play the simple short passes. I hope Diarre is an improvement on Mutch in this part of the game.
