Amos 7/10 Brave, decisive apart form one mix up with Chester, His kickings a bit strange he seems to kick underneath the ball and puts back spin on it. I was worried after last week but he's improved. Rosenior 6/10. Clearly not 100% fit yet. He was hoping to come off when Faye did. His crossing was very poor. Noone should have been sent off for the challenge on him, then Poyet cleverly created a fuss and distracted Attwell. So Brighton bring Lua Lua on whotook Rosy to the cleaners twice!! Both great crosses too. Chester & Faye 8/10. Sure Faye is slow, look at the size of him but they work well together. Worrying he got took off again. Maybe just cos he was booked but he was struggling fitness wise. Dudgeon 7/10. Great recovery tackles, he needs to believe in himself more when going forward. Couple of times in the first half he bombs on then stops 15 yards into their half. Poor crosses in the first half too, great run for the goal though. Stewart 6/10. I was disappointed he didnt play RM from the off to get at Bridge, must get going quicker and really attack his full back before they get cover across. Mclean 6/10 usual display, works hard the only one who does get up for headers, just they usually skim off him and go nowhere. Woeful attempt at a cross in the second half Mckenna 6/10. Brucie's definitely making him play higher up the field. Never seems to want go forwards with the ball. Had the ball in acres of space in the second half and passed it 20 yards back to Chezz. Took one for the team in the last 5 mins, good decision. Koren 8/10. Thought he was excellent in the CM, great ball for Dudge. Aluko 8/10. Terrific shot that hit the bar. Comfortable receiving the ball, great signing. Proschwitz 4/10. I feel bad giving this mark but for me, he was dreadful. He was better last week but he just didnt look interested yesterday. Cloughie always demanded bravery above everything else from his players, especially his forwards. Prozzy looks frightened. I'm worried, really worried. Bruce 7/10. Came on and did well. 3-4 good clearing headers. Evans 6/10. Didnt get really involved, but steadied the ship a little in the CM. Simpson 9/10. Goals win games. Really really pleased for Simmo, lots to like about his performance. We are officially the worst crossers of a ball in the league. We just do not do it well and i cant fathom out why. Its not just one player its all of them. Corners were better, Chezzy threw himself at a couple, so at least we are beating the first man now. Gus Poyet looks like he could still play, no wonder he scored so many headers he must be 6ft 4". Glad he hasnt taught CMS how to do it. Well done Brucie, thought you could have brought your subs on a bit sooner. There will be a lot more physical teams than Brighton to play and i think we desperately need some steel in the side, lets hope SB brings in 2-3 new signings.
Amos 8 Rosenior 7 Chester 8 Faye 7 Dudgeon 9 Stewart 7 Mclean 7 McKenna 7 Koren 9 Aluko 9 Proschwitz 6
Dudgeon was class yesterday, like I expected him to be. God knows why he wasn't given a proper chance last season. As much as Dawson is a legend, Dudgeon is/will be a far better player.
We really do need another winger to hopefully sort out the crossing issue. As much as I admire McClean I really don't think he's up to it, esp on the right anyway - his crossing was dreadful. Also a decent tough-tackling midfielder I think everyone agrees we need too. For me the jury's still out on Proschwitz - I think we need to give him a few games to adapt. Dudgeon was quality yesterday though - agree with him being on a par with Koren and Aluko. And I'd definitely start Simmo against Blackburn. Does anyone know if Fryatt with be back then?
Judges decision is final. The run he nade for the goal he could have done a few times in the first half but stops. He needs encouraging to push on more, he's got the speed to get back if it breaks down. Our very own Ashley Cole!!
Agree with that, think he just lacked the confidence to do it, he clearly has the ability just needs to believe he can. Hopefully that goal will prove he has it to him. His definsive side of the game was spot on to.
The new signings all looked **** IMO, well Amos looked good but I'm nervous of him running off his line so much, only a matter of games before he gets caught out. Aluko wasn't that bad either actually, looked very good at times, good confidence, quick and not afraid to take on an entire team, but his touch, positional sense and runs were terrible. Wasn't a mom performance, but looks like its only a matter of time before he fully settles and looks a world beater in this league. Faye, my god, slow to react, slow to turn, slow to move, he's just a ****ing big lump. The sooner Hobbs is back the better, stick Bruce in on Wednesday please. First half he was getting beaten time after time by cms, and that 2nd half tackle was horrific, 2 footed then swung round nd booted the guy, from where I was sat looked a certain straight red. Proshwitz! There's only one way you can describe that. Aaron McLean cost have the price and looked 4 times the player. Dudgeon my man of the match, solid as a cock all game long and always finding himself space. Rosey and Chester didn't look quite as sharp as normal but improved as the game went on, except for roses crossing, he should just play it short. Stewart looks to be getting back to his former self, actually running at an past people, if he carries on the like he will demolish more defences than he doesn't this season. Koren was typical Koren, always in the right place at the right time, few good long range efforts, but doesn't seem to do a lot until that all important moment, what an absolute killer pass to dudgeon to set up the goal. McKenna just a repeat of last season, faultless. McLean was very good today IMO, won almost everything in the air, battled well and kept the ball in pressured situations. Although good job he came off when he did as IMO I'm not sure e would have scored that goal. I'd like to see Simpson and McLean in Wednesday, an option we've barely ever seen play together. EDIT Sorry for grammar, auto correct took a giant steaming turd on that post and it's too much of a pain in the arse to go through on my phone and fix it all. I'm sure everyone can see what most "corrected" words should be.
The thing with Faye is he isn't actually that slow, it's his acceleration that's ****. There was a ball put through behind him when he was on the halfway line for CMS (I think) to go after. He got 5 or 6 yards on Faye and everyone was thinking "oh **** he's clean through", then suddenly Faye started reining him in, and caught him before he could get a shot away.
[video]http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01m9fsk/The_Football_League_Show_2012_2013_18_08_2012/[/video] Don't know if this has been posted. Go to 26:24.
Amos 7 Rosenior 6 Chester 7 Faye 6 Dudgeon 8 Stewart 7 McKenna 6 Koren 8 Aluko 8 McLean 6 Proschwitz 5 Evans 6 Bruce 7 Simpson 8 Bruce subs 8 and tactics 7
My view on yesterdays performances: Amos: Very good, strong, confident and decent distribution, on par with Mannone of last season Dudgeon: My MOM, worked tirelessly on flank, there winger got nothing from him, constantly looking to get forward and on ball, cover the back line well, made two crucial tackles at RB!! Chester: Usual reliable self Faye: Reads the game well and good orgainiser, lacks the legs now though!! Roseinor: Looked good as usual, just needs match time now to get his passing/crossing range back Stewart: Not a great deal from him, woke up in the last 20 mins and showed some decent stuff McKenna: My favouite player, never stops working, good on ball, breaks play, a true CM for me, key player Koren: Very decent game again, had a quite 15 or so, but great on ball, a must in CM for me Aluko: Strong, keen, wants the ball, seems to need match fitness, can see him getting 10 goals this season Protz: Some good touches, worked hard, lacked understand with other forwards McClean: Dont like slagging off our players but useless. As a winger didnt hold the line, always came inside leaving no width, when he had the ball lobbed into an empty box. Up front failed to read where Protz was looking to put the ball, remember a through ball to end of first half where he didnt move!! Simpson has got to start ahead of him!!! Bruce: Did ok when he came on, steady, confident and no nonsence, decent back up Evans: Didnt get to much time to stamp authourity, worked hard, got involved, played some decent football Simpson: Natural striker, looked for ball, battled hard, and actually knew where to be (unlike McClean), usefull third striker when Fryatt is back
Fryatt on the bench in place of Olofinjana would be my choice. Wouldn't expect Fryatt to start his first game back from injury what ever is decided about Simpson starting or not, just not worth the risk.
