Having watched the highlights, a few things seem worth mentioning: 1) Kranjcar looked fitter and scored a very good goal. Long may it continue. 2) O'niell, Carroll and Benayoun looked to have played better. 3) Dunne was back to his commanding best, so maybe it will have to be Clint who stands aside when Ned is required. 4) Team spirit looked good. 5) The forced change when Barton was injured, introducing a dedicated defensive midfielder (Henry) seemed to enable the rest of the midfield to get up with and beyond Austin. Something that we haven't done much at all this season. Whilst Henry looks a very limited player, his effect on the team is clear for all to see imo. Overall, a really good second half performance, although I'm still not sure Harry knows what his best starting line up is.
Second half should have given him a broad hint. Perhaps if we started all games in the 46th minute we'd be laughing...
Some very good points, Col. 1) Kranky did look fitter (thinner), perhaps he had been put on a serious diet over the last two weeks since the Donny game. 2) They were better, especially Carroll who I have not previously been impressed with. 3) I would play Ned when the opposition have pace up front, but who should stand down is difficult. 4) They really worked for each other, very aggressive when we didn't have the ball. 5) I don't think Barton going off really changed anything. If/when a striker comes in it will make team selection even more tricky!
I can't help but feel that any striker worth his salt is going to think twice about coming to us if we only play one up front and he can't get regular game time. So can't help but think we'll only get a loan striker or younger player (which would make missing out on Wells a little baffling - although 4.5yr contract is over the top unless hoping for a sell-on fee)
As I said to Col, Barton isnt defensively irresponsible and surging forward leaving a big gap so the 2 are totally unrelated. Barton allows the others to get forward if they wanted. Its far more likely the HT team talk had the desired effect, especially as there was zero improvement in the time Henry came on to HT.
I can't help but feel that any striker worth his salt is going to think twice about coming to us if we only play one up front and he can't get regular game time. So can't help but think we'll only get a loan striker or younger player (which would make missing out on Wells a little baffling - although 4.5yr contract is over the top unless hoping for a sell-on fee)[/QUOTE Totally agree. Nobody decent will come to warm the bench. We need to revert back to a 4-4-2. Is like to see us buy or agree a six month loan deal for a forward and a good DCM. IMO, that's all we need. Really sorry we missed out on Parker . He would have been an incredible signing for us. As a footnote, I'd let BZ and SWP go.
Translation: The two center-halves were impregnable as they have been all season and Harry was right in selecting them
Congrats , a great win against a good club .Remember , if its not auto promotion its a lot of stress .
It was nice to see the 12 players that played last week in the Everton game (either from start or sub) bounce back and were not psychologically unable to play to their ability in a different game 7 days later as was suggested (yes I'm paraphrasing). Well done Harry for lifting the boys...hey!
Oh ya , well be staying up , 45 points I recon col. I bet you your son didnt figure on a return to the Premier so quickly after his dejection from late last season.Although your not up yet , I think youll be one of the 2 auto, cheers
Recon you'll stay up too, a bit too much class, for the teams below...and too good a manger as well Not so sure about your nemesis Cardiff, or ours Fulham... and along with poor old Palace that could be the three!
Weve stayed up because we have spent wisely , we have to because we have limited funds past the money we get for being here. Hopefully you guys learned a thing or two about frugality next time up , you certainly didnt get your monies worth late time up.
Neither of us are as confident as you that we'll be going straight back up. Could well be the play offs I don't think you'll go down either. 45 points eh? That will be a little stressful as you won't be safe for quite some time before you get to that total mate.
Of course they were trying. It was just suggested by a few that because of the result (be it because of team selection or tactics) that it would be hard to lift them back up for the following games. A 3-1 away win to a team previously unbeaten in 9 suggests Harry must have done a good job doing so.
Stroller you've been pretty quiet since yesterday. Another person a bit disappointed with yesterday's result perhaps?
I didn't see the game yesterday, Swords, so had nothing to contribute. I realise you are on a wind-up, but to suggest that I am disappointed with Rangers winning is a bit of an insult.
