Medel and Gunnar

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Oldsparkey

Oldsparkey

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Jan 27, 2011
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Porthcawl Riviera
A hardman pairing in front of our back four that'll prove decisive this season. I've already gone on record on here saying that Gunnarson will prove a star in the Prem, and now with Medel alongside him, he will get better. Medel staying back holding the fort whilst Gunnar follows up his attacking players is right up their street - yesterday proved it.

If they get it right, and they've started to show that yesterday, there won't be many points dropped through letting opposition getting at our back line. You'll never snuff out class opposition players 100%, but the times Manc City got near enough to shoot you could count on the fingers on one hand.

The other three in midfield (assuming we continue to play just one up front) will be very interesting choices. Kimbo, Whitts and Bellers at the moment spells no starting room for players like Mutch, Cowie, Smithy and Noone.

With the performance of FC yesterday, where the hell do Cornelius, Maynard and Mason fit in?

Seems like a good headache for Malky to have - especially if we get another one or two in as he's mentioned.
 
I have been extremely impressed with Medel so far, he's done his job quietly and efficiently without too much fuss. Hardly noticed him yesterday as he didn't seem to give anything away and nullified the direct route to goal. Not sure anyone was to blame for the Citeh goal, imo, pure quality. We know he has the bite and hopefully not too many cards this season will see him as our buy of this season.
Cornelius will have to bide his time, if MM wants the lone striker, as Campbell was immense yesterday. He can't keep those levels up over a whole season surely.
 
We are going to get players with injuries, yellow cards and tiredness at some point through the season, so hopefully Malky will try different formations and player rotation/substitutions during the season.

I'd hate to think we brought in Cornelius just to sit on the bench.
 
We've put in 2 all out defensive performances as the opposition has dictated. Medel and Gunnar will be a fixture but I think we'll see Cornelius up with FC plenty this season. Maynard looks like an impact sub but injuries or outstanding contribution from him can change that.

FC was outstanding yesterday but few teams will play that high up the park defensively. MC did play into his hands a little. Some sides will be happy to get a point from us and Cornelius can really come into his own when we're on the front foot or chasing the game.

What we saw yesterday will be the default for most away trips and home to the top 6 though. It'll be interesting to see if we're more ambitious against Everton and Hull away. Both of those sides are on a lot more even footing to us and we shouldn't be afraid to 'have a go' IMO.
 
Agreed on Medel, only had 9 days with the club and doesn't speak much English yet although I'm sure he has been educated in the less complimentary words.

He will be awesome once he is fully in tune. For a while I thought Gunnar wasn't sure where he should be playing yesterday but a different story after half time. It was as if it all clicked in. And no long throws yet, his shoulder can't be fully 100% yet.
 
They're both aggressive and prepared to put their feet in where it hurts. They both got bangs several times yesterday that looked like it hurt, but they got up and got on with it.

With them protecting the back four and allowing Kimbo and Whitts some room in front of them, I'm expecting the set up to stay much the same for the time being.

Another point - did anyone else notice whenever Marshy punted the ball long, he invariably went wide instead of down the middle? Deliberate?
 
I watched the match on tv today. I thought Gunnar was brilliant both halves and would have been my motm if not for Campbell's 2 goals.
 
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