Here you go. I was at the game. Mugged again but Soton who, lets face it, were pretty ordinary. Well played Rangel, Ash, Fab, Ki. Ash played a captains part again today. Jonjo was an improvement but still not good enough, Siggy looked knackered from the kick off as did Fernandez who was quite dodgy in the first half but improved in the second, Nathan seemed out of sorts, Routledge didnât get into the game for ages but was OK, Wilf was getting hammered but not the most sensible of challenges. Taylor gets worse. Some points that have annoyed me today We lost against an average team Wilfâs sending off The ref (pretty rubbish for both sides) Shelvey and Taylor starting again. People keep excusing our play with 10 men because Soton âare a good passing temâ no they werenât, not today. Not as good as Burnley or WBA. We are a good passing team, no we werenât, not today - we used to be. Our second half performances have been the same week in week out (maybe that should be week in weak out after the break) ⦠defend deep, lose the midfield and hoof away possession. Monk being defended for his tactics. What tactics? Taking off Ki not Siggy who was knackered from chasing thin air (worked hard but it took its toll early in the second half. Bringing Dyer off â although he wasnât the best today his pace cold have created something on the break; Dyer also has more defending skills. (Has Montero something in his contract to say he plays every game?) playing Montero in front of the position Taylor should have been playing. While Emnes was the right choice to bring on as he is more defensive than Gomis why wait until so late? Not using a third sub Sotonâs diving. If Chico got slated for rolling around why arenât we hearing the same about Yoshida and Fonte? For the record Yoshida was grinning and laughing after Bony was red carded. We can make all the excuses in the world but our second half performances are ****.
Also a bit more defence minded than Gomis and knows the players a bit better. Should have come on for Siggy. At one point Ki tried changing places with Gylfi, it looked like they were going share the forward space with the other dropping back for a breather, but it looked like Monk gave orders to switch back. 5 minutes later Ki was off. Can't understand the timing of the sub or why the third sub wasn't used.
A full back makes two challenges and is described as having a good game. Jeez. Out of position, poor passing, ignoring Montero when he came on, missed his man by not being anywhere near him, slowing the game down, not getting back when he eventually made a forward move. Compare his contribution with 'the old man' at right back and they are miles apart. At least he didn't get booked this week.
I have no doubt Taylor will be our #1 left back for us for seasons to come .. and Taylor did far more than two huge challenges that could have been goals . Taylors got very little time on the pitch since his injury , but heIs starting to get back to where he was , just my opinion bob
Sorry lads two years running fortunate 1-0 wins. We weren't at our best but bossed it after Bony saw red. You have a good side and should finish top half. Best for rest of season.
I agree with the assertion that he'll be our first choice left back but at some point the excuses have to stop. He played 20 times for us last season, had a full pre-season, has played 6 times for Wales in the past 18 months and has now had 4 games.
Substitutions are not Monks strongest attribute, I was not happy with Dyer going off, if anyone it should have been Routledge, but taking off Ki who was having a blinder was poor, Shelvey for me should have gone instead, as for the third sub well if it was going to happen then maybe same time as the second sub at least, but why is Siggy needing a break? surely his fitness should be able to stand a full game.
Think you got that spot on, dissapointed in Gary for playing that way, think your midfield were fantastic first half, not often we lose that area but we did. you lost a forward player so why drop back, it just needs extra effort to get someone in the box.
If you look at the way Bony hit Yoshida for the red, on another day, it breaks his ankle. Probably hurt like ****.
So he should have had what exactly? Look, he got what he deserved and as a result a very ordinary team beat us today. There is no doubt we would have won that game with 11 men imo. Both teams look like mid table to me, just inside top half, and both sets of fans will probably be happy with that.
A quick zip through shows, last season, he started 15 games for us (including all MLs Euro games) & 5 subs. He started 6 Wales games.
Thought it was 7 , and only 4 the season before .Regardless , he will come good and already is ( sticking tongue out at bob )
