So, the result wasn't something that we were looking for, but have to say that is one of our most positive performances for a long while. THE GAME I knew this would be a tough game, against a Hull side who played the formation we have just switched to for large parts of last season. The first half was pretty even overall, quite a packed midfield with both teams playing 3-5-2 but there were chances, quite a few falling our way. Faurlin, Austin, and Remy wasting notable opportunities. We played with a determination going forwards that was missing last season which was great to see. I certainly felt playing 2 up front helped. Simpson started off very nervously, and didn't recover from that to be honest, sitting deeper than a wing-back should do at times. Hull had chances themselves, and a penalty shout rightly waved away after Jelavic dived. So thats a good start! Making chances, but not taking them. The start of the second half was quite different though. We didn't come out of the traps fast enough, and let Hull control the game for 15-20 minutes. Everything from us went very flat, and we struggled to get back into the game really. Then we make a mistake from a set piece (Ferdinand I think) and bang, 1-0 down. From then Hull were happy to soak up the pressure and counter attack, which made things difficult for us having 3 centre backs, and 2 deep wing backs. Eventually a change was made - Faurlin for Hoilett, Simpson for Phillips. That certainly made a difference - especially Hoilett. He had the confidence to run at players. Shortly after Zamora came on and we played a 4-3-3 with Phillips at right back effectively. That worked - and chances started to come. Deflections, goal line clearances, blocks, you name it, it just wouldn't go in. Then out of nothing a handball - penalty to QPR. Austin to take - you would bet he would equalise. Unfortunately, a poor penalty was easily saved. However, we did continue to have chances, and plenty of them. It just didn't go in. THE RATINGS GREEN - 8 - pretty much did everything you could ask. Claimed crosses, made some crucial saves, especially in the second half, and distributed well. DUNNE - 8 - again, didn't really put a foot wrong. Looked solid, and wasn't going to be muscled off the ball easily at all. Against better sides I think we would need someone with pace, but he was excellent today. FERDINAND - 8 - probably would have had a 9 had it not been for the mistake for the goal. His performance was brilliant, and showed his class. His reading of the game is excellent, and like Dunne, wasn't going to lose a battle for the ball. Jelavic had nothing all game. Had a header cleared off the line in the second half I think. CAULKER - 8 - again, part of a very solid back three who were organised, composed, and powerful. Brought the ball forwards well at times, like Ferdinand. TRAORE - 6 - I am going to be a bit harsh on our two wing backs. I didn't think they provided enough going forwards at all to be honest - Traore was the better of the two, but was still too deep at times. However, when he did get forwards he put a few decent crosses in - especially late on. SIMPSON - 5 - again, perhaps I am being harsh here, but not sure he had any confidence to take anyone on today. Made 2 mistakes in the first 10 minutes which set the tone I am afraid. Not a great performance tbh and gave little going forwards. BARTON - 6.5 - two sides to his performances today. Firstly his general play - this was decent enough, passed the ball well (mostly sideways!), but kept the ball ticking over, and was very determined. Didn't bottle a tackle, and got stuck in at every opportunity. However, his set pieces were AWFUL! I think one corner out of god knows how many found one of our players, they were either too short or too near the keeper. Free kicks equally as bad. FAURLIN - 7 - firstly, great to see him back. I felt he did the simple things well, got stuck in and passed the ball nicely. Works well with Barton in protecting our back three. MUTCH - 7.5 - showed good ball control many times, but perhaps lacks the pace to take anyone on in a race or to create space for a shot. But generally he was always around to receive the ball, and made a few intelligent passes. REMY - 7.5 - played off of Austin and I think its a partnership that will work very well actually. Obviously it will take time, but Austin can win the headers, hold the ball up, and then set Remy through. He worked very hard, but had to come deep at times to get the ball, as the link from the midfield three wasn't quite right. Was through near the end but chose to pass to Zamora! AUSTIN - 6.5 - his PL debut, and it showed at times. The time he would get to set himself, then shoot, he didn't get today and that seemed to frustrate him a bit. He worked hard as usual, and held the ball up well, but his finishing wasn't at the races today. Fluffed a few chances, then had a penalty to equalise late on - which I have to say was poor. But, he did show enough that I think he can cut it at this level, but he needs to take less time setting himself up. SUBS: PHILLIPS - 6.5 - did ok and put a few nice crosses in, but seemed off the pace to me. HOILETT - 7.5 - made a real difference when he came on - someone to run at defenders, and put people into space - he actually brought Traore more into the game late on. ZAMORA - 7 - made a difference - more of a presence up front meant Remy and Austin could feed off the knock downs. FINAL WORD So to sum up, it was one of our better performances, especially attacking wise for a long time. We also looked very very solid at the back - with the back three being protected by Barton and Faurlin. However, at home, against teams like Hull I do think we should tweak things slightly. I am not sure playing both Barton and Faurlin at home is a good idea - we were quite deep at times, and whilst we created plenty of chances, we had little midfield support for the front 2 - especially midfielders to win the second balls from rebounds etc. It made such a difference when Hoilett was swapped for Faurlin. Faurlin had played well, but perhaps Hoilett allowed us to throw men forwards easier and be a bit more direct, rather than try to pass it round them. Away from home I would keep it like it was today, but at home, definitely go more attacking - as today we really should have got at least a point. At times we just didn't try to penetrate their defensive line enough. Our start to the second half didn't help either, and once we were 1-0 down we struggled to create chances until we went more attacking. Simpson I also felt had a poor game. Whether we put Isla straight in or not I don't know, but with our system, our wing backs need to get up and down the pitch, and I am not sure Simpson can do that. Isla was due to play by the sounds of things, so perhaps Simpson was thrown in at the last minute. Finally, our set pieces have to improve. Much like last season, our corner deliveries are poor. I think if we can bring someone like De Guzman in he could solve that, if not, Barton has some work to do. Positive start for sure, but we have to take our chances at this level.
Cheers Judo, excellent report, many thanks. If you'd think of only play one of Faurlin or Barton at home, which one would you play and who would you replace the other with? As a general question, do we have anyone who could take a better corner or free kick?
Have difficulty finding how losing 0-1 at home to another team potentially in for a relegation struggle was a positive start Judo? Especially when some posters comments were that it could easily have been 4 or 5 nil against.
I thought you summed it up well judo. I would like to see yun be played on the left. He is a better defensively than Traore yet can still push forward. Totally agree Simpson had a bad game. I think isla will be there next week. I like joey but god he set pieces are just a waste. If we are to bring in another midfielder he would be the one I replace. As ali looked very good and I would like us to stick with mutch.
Equally it could have been 4-4. The game was tight and was always looking like a 1-0 win to either side or whoever scored first. Our performance though was much better than anything we had last season, so for me also I take a lot of positives from the game.
Thanks for the report anyway Judo. I look forward to being able to watch the Spurs game live on TV, by when Hoddle will have Adel in form and starting, and Arry will be able to concentrate on rehearsing for his big night on TV 31/8. If only.... .
Surely you can see I am talking about the performance? It was positive. Ok we didn't win, but this is the Premier League, and small margins decide games. We made one mistake and lost the game. Other than that it was pretty even. When you compare how we played yesterday with pretty much all of last season it was by far much better, by a long way. I was just happy to see us attacking with a bit of intent and creating countless chances - 19 shots.
I just thought Mutch offered more going forwards, and tried to be a little more direct. However, Faurlin did look very good, great to see him back again. Something we definitely miss in our midfield at times.
To be honest it could be either, tough call to make. Faurlin is class on the ball, and can pick a pass out brilliantly. However, Barton offers a little more defensive bite in midfield I think - although you won't like me saying that!
Thanks for the report Judo, like you I'm not that disappoint after this loss. I could see a lot of potential, so tweaks needed but a lot hope there as well.
I wasn't able to watch our match yesterday but it certainly sounds like we have some potential to build on there, so let's move on to the next match, where perhaps a surprise victory awaits us? I just watched the Liverpool v Saints match, and like ours a draw would have been a fair result. Despite fielding a depleted squad with all their significant outgoing transfers, Saints battled hard and really deserved something out of this game.
