Watching back it's not great that Kean had that many free headers at goal is it. Crosses certainly seem like a problem defensively.
I was amazed how many Fiorentina fans were there, must have had a couple of dozen in Fiorentina ****s sat around us in the west stand, there were even a couple in the Turkish restaurant we went in for a pre-match bite. That Turkish restaurant on Walton Street isn't bad, they barbeque all the food out in the restaurant, you get loads and it was pretty good (very cheap as well).
Yeh Jones not great at all on the first one. I do think there's an element of clever play executed really well by Fiorentina. Kean purposely peeling off away from the CBs and really good crosses knowing where he will be.
Probably mainly English based Fiorentina fans? Mate of mine 'supports' a mid range Serie A team. He's English and goes when they come over here and he says it's typically full of fans like him for friendlies like that, plus many Anglo-Italians.
Rak-Sakyi has told Palace he wants to join Southampton according to the YP. Hopefully that means we can finally stop being linked with him, I don't even think he's as good as people say, I've not seen anything to suggest he merits the money he'd cost. Leeds United, Sheffield United and Hull City dealt potential transfer blow in Crystal Palace winger race (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
He had an excellent loan with Charlton in League 1 and his next step would have been to show he could do it in the Championship. For some reason despite a season on the Palace bench and hit with injury, clubs are reacting like he did have that successful season in the Championship. I think Palace would prefer to loan him to us, so he can have a Philogene like break out season and then go for £15-20 million. Not sure what Southampton are going to pay but it will be over his current value, which I’d say is £3-5million.
Rak-Sakyi seems to be in the Rosenior mould of a tricky winger where as our other winger targets seem more 'explosive' and direct. Thought Longman did really well last night with his first real minutes at RW. Although he might not meet the high quality we need right now it showed he might still have a part to play and how important it is to have players in the correct position. Longman (RW) Omur (AM). In a similar fashion, we need a LW (Miller) in quick so Walter can make a call about Giles at LB. I think Jacob and Fleming offer decent back up, loans may benefit them but initially we need to figure out if Giles can be the starting left back. I say yes if it's alongside someone like McKenna. If not get rid and bring one in. Giles has looked good (not amazing) further forward, like Drameh doesn't seem phased by forward movement and passes (almost as if not featuring under Rosie actually prevented him been conflicted in styles of play). I think the Giles situation could go either way and my gut feeling is that Walter (maybe not the club) wants to keep him, even if its just until more of the team is filled out and we know what we need. McLoughlin is adapting better than Jones. The issues seems to be recovery and positioning on counters. Hopefully McKenna fixes that but should Macca play, hopefully a settled back 4 and natural DM understand the system, the filling in/sliding across and can break up play. The CBs will get caught upfield its just how we cope with that. Ultimately in Walter's system the other team will have chances and we need three things. Firstly, a brick wall (be it a CB, FB or DM) to break the break. Secondly, more attacking threat (especially on the left) to both create chances but also to force the apposing right side to be a tad cautious. Finally the need for a pure shot stopper with a commanding presence. The keeper doesn't seem to need to do too much with his feet, just needs to be able to pass in front of the running CBs. Surely a shotstopper (should have gone for Johansson) is what the team needs.
Pretty much nailed it as I see it. I was impressed with Macca last night. He seems to like this role of getting involved in attacking play as an extra midfield player. Giles will benefit from being a LB. Slater seems to be enjoying this system too. We really aren't far away from a starting 11 with a striker and a left winger but back up brigade need to be a lot stronger. You could argue if Longman and Simons are good enough starters at this level yet but they are doing OK for me at the moment.
Was he actually at the game? I saw Mehlem, but the guy sat next to Tan with a cap on was Cyrus Christie.
If true, look at it from his point of view. Wages probably matched, does not have to move, equal ambition in the club. Tough market.
