I felt we played some lovely football on a quagmire of a pitch and every single player (bar Sodall) put a shift in and stood up to be counted. That's the best football I've seen us play for as long as I can remember. Also, I can't recall us creating as many chances as that in a game for god knows how long. For me there's so many positives to take from that performance. Reza worked his arse off and I'm convinced that once he's adapted to the speed and physicality of the Championship that he'll score goals. Needs to pack the diving in though, deffo deserved a yellow for trying to con the referee (w**ker) into awarding a penalty. Poyet & Cousins both looked like they've been playing Championship football all their lives. I though Cousins played really well out of position down the right. Ajdarevic showed some lovely flashes of skill. He could well be the creative spark we've been looking for. Great when he's on the ball, but a bit of a luxury when possession breaks down. Having Poyet & Jackson behind him to do the hard yards winning the ball back helped him play with the freedom his ability deserves. I hope the booing at the final whistle was out of frustration at losing having played so well, and not directed at the players. I am the first to boo when I see a lack of effort and commitment but that simply was not the case today. The difference today was Federico Macheda, 2 chances, 2 goals. A young man with the ability to play at the very highest level if he applies himself. His first was lovely movement to lose his marker and a good headed finish. His second was a sucker punch when we were pressing high up the pitch in search of an equaliser. However, he still showed a true strikers instinct by putting himself in the correct position to score a simple tap in. I'd far rather go down 2:0 whilst looking for an equaliser that go down 1:0 without really trying to get something from the game. If we get relegated playing that type of football with that level of commitment then so be it... As always chaps... this is just the way I see it. Nothing more nothing less.
Good post Franco. Agreed on most of it too. Normally the second opposition goal is met with frustration; today it was pure disappointment - we were playing very well up until the goal and it did seem cruel (although I guess the way the defence let it happen might negate that). I agree - if the players can keep moralised (the opposite of demoralised, obviously) then we will go down fighting.
It wasn't just the booing it was the empty stands. If people can't see the positives in today then they weren't watching the match I was watching. Ton the other hand the sooner we get rid of Sordell the better. Reminds me in effort, body language and his blaming of those around him of JFH. Lazy, disinterested and abusive of try-hard youngsters. Anyone notice Reza go past him from 15 m behind to win the ball early in the 2nd half?
When Reza and Sordell collided in the second half, Sordell was just stood still whilst Reza was attempting to track the ball.
From everything I've heard so far, Positives Reza worked very hard (Jury out on the penalty) and loks good. Poyet an absolute gem. The Asteroid quality visión and passing. Cousins looking good despite being moved out wide to accomodate Jackson. We are trying to play football, and played some good stuff. Negatives. Evina poor, although up against a very good player. Jackson's legs don't let him start, yet he does. Sordell Despite playing well, we did'nt score Macheda made the difference today, though the swap of Church for Sordell defeats me, as we had Polish Pete waiting to start, and Church is anything but a prolific striker. We are now basically in pre season with the clock ticking. Probably the squad lacks quality, but at least it sounds like we're going to give it a go, though honestly, I think Evina is out of his depth and his confidence is shot. Still, without Wiggins, what do we do. Summary Another rubbish saturday, yet the signs are there we have decent footbalers moving in, despite Volly and Typical complaining that they can't possibly be any use as they are foreign. In the end, three more points escape, and the clock is ticking, but maybe we can yet turn this around.
Bang on Leaburn...!! I went with my wife and son's today. On my life, my eldest who is five turned to me after 25 minutes and said: Freddie... "Who's number 10 daddy" Me... "Marvin Sordell" Freddie... "He's not very good is he" Me... "No son, he's not" Now... if I can see it, you can see it and my five year old boy can see it. Why for the love of god can't the gaffer see it...?
largely agree with that, but Sordell was only the 3rd-worst player today, a new best for him. That keeper is a clown and Evina's ineptness defied belief. But Astrit and Poyet were huge plusses for me.
Excellent post, Franco. Best players - Asteroid, Reza, Poyet, Cousins Worst Players - Evina, Sordell It is a kick in the guts to walk away from that performance with no points. It was an exciting match with plenty of chances, but we just lacked a little luck and punch up front. It would have been good to see Peter Potato-Sack come on instead of Church, but obviously the Pole's fitness is lacking. Still, we have his introduction to the starting line-up to look forward to. Roland must have seen Sordell's wage packet and demanded CP play him. I went with my daughter, who hasn't been since the Blackpool match, and she was impressed with what she saw, so something must be right. I just don't think CP will be around to enjoy the fruits of this young squad.
Evina was **** today. In fairness I've never seen him play that bad. However, I've not seen him play that often so you chaps are in a better position to pass judgement than I am. I'm pleased he's not our first choice LB though. Our new keeper is just pony. You can sense that the back four don't trust him.
I can understand the gist of what you're saying, Franco. I missed the first half hour but did enjoy a lot of our neat approach play until it dawned on me that it was more likely that Brum would score again than we would equalise. When we did get crosses into the box there was no-one there, or it fizzled out and all the good approach play was wasted. Cousins had a decent game and credit to him, but he was out of position, his strengths are defensive, and I thought that since he and Poyet had a very good partnership in the U-21's in front of the back 4 that would have worked better than having Jacko playing deep, especially since Jacko has probably the best eye for goal in the squad. Then there's the elephant in the room AKA Sordell Oh dear......
The cutting edge and cohesion in the final third is something that will come in time. Only trouble is that time is the one commodity that we don't have if we are to dig ourselves out of the mess in which we currently find ourselves. What's the answer...? ****ed if I know. What I do know is that I freezed my plums off today watching us lose 0:2. Yet oddly for me I felt rejuvenated by what I saw in spite of the result. That must be a good thing surely...? My prediction yesterday of: 'I don't expect to see very much in the way of quality football from either side. I just want to see the fight that might just get us out of the brown stuff' Was half right. I thought Birmingham were a poxy side, fortunate enough to have a quality borrowed centre forward playing up top. I felt we played well and fought right to the death. I can't ask anymore than that from this rag tag group of players.
Your perception of the match and players is as a result of your knowing the players we have a re largely are rag tag, great to see some realism and understanding of our plight. The potential/youth/few exceptions could see us move out of the bottom three in time. How come roland would not have made it good business to remove Sordell given the wage bill and no end product ? If a 5 year old girl notices number 10 on the pitch, why is he on the ground for so long ? He sounds terrible, boils your blood.
I am so pleased with this thread, I was beginning to think I was watching a different match to the fans around me. I thought it was a good performance and enjoyed it more than most this season. One downer is the biggest of the lot. No goals. "The kids" did good, so bring on Polish Pete and see what he can do. One question, when is Hamer back,dwe need him. Dont think the new boy could catch a cold out there.
May I remind people that we still have Nicky Pope....... get him back from loan and out on the pitch..... NOT ON THE BENCH! The French fella just isn't up to the Championship!
Me too I was very impressed with the football we played good passing game and Poyet ran the show sadly can't see us holding on to him for long we need to get him signed up on a long contract now. He'd be my number 1 priority . I was sad rather than angry at the final whistle and if we do go down the kids can lead us back.
Yep, another clean sheet for Pope yesterday. For me he's potentially the best goalie we have and I'd love to see him in the first team, with the chance to do what Alnwick did, and make the position his own. He was our no. 2 goalie until we got Alnwick anyway.
Franco I disagree with you one million per cent. The booing at the end was from around 50 fans. I was one of them, in the CE Upper. The lack of atmosphere was diabolical and the lack of passion from our fans is just one of the reasons why we are drifting aimlessly to the most unnecessary relegation in our history. The attitude that you and Leaburns legs displays remind me of the guy in the tuxedo who enjoyed the brass band on the Titanic.
Mike When will fans like you realise that relegation will be a disaster for CAFC ? Have you noticed the trajectory of our attendances this season mate ? We are losing fans in droves, we had about 12,000 fans there yesterday. It will be below 10,000 if we go down. FFS !
Yes but you start well get up into the top 2 and fans come back same for all clubs get more top of one div than bottom of the one bellow
HA HA HA... brilliant...!! Vol, I really couldn't give a monkey's if you or anyone else for that matter disagrees with my thoughts on yesterday's game. Like I said at the end of my post... that's just the way I saw it, nothing more nothing less. I respect your opionion and I welcome said opinion. After all It's contrasting views and opinions that make the beautiful game beautiful. Keep up the good work mate...
