Llorente was shockingly poor today. I thought this would be the type of game he'd thrive on but his first touch and distribution were awful. The game literally opened up as soon as he left the pitch. Such a shame to say it but the excitement I had over his signing in the summer is rapidly dissipating. Granted, we don't play to his strengths but you'd have thought a player of his experience and accomplishment would bring more to the table. No better than Janssen it has to be said who has been banished in his stead. KWP had a solid game, made more noteworthy by the fact that he was on his weaker side. Foyth was outmuscled quite often but looks really composed on the ball and reads the game superbly well. Delighted we have such a long-term prospect on the books. Jan was magnificent - highlight of the game was his long-overdue (4 years 3 months!!!) goal. Such a class player and needs to be offered a new contract pronto. Nice to see Lamela and Wanyama complete 90 minutes. Both looked sharp throughout albeit they did tire towards the end. Wanyama's yellow was for a nothing challenge btw. Also nice to see Dembele looking sharper and stronger than he has done in recent months. Sissoko had a decent game and set up the first with an excellent cross. Yes, the first half was turgid. Yes, Trippier still can't beat his man. Yes, Sissoko is never going to control a game, and no, Lamela hasn't got a right foot. But the main negative remains Llorente. Listening on a radio cannot possibly convey how drastically the game changed from the second he left the pitch. Worrying.
You summed it up there, only sign a player with a good first touch. The rest can be taught, first touch is a skill that cannot.
Yeah, Llorente looked like a player that had made his retirement move to the MLS. Just doesn't look like he's been training very hard, or paying much attention when he's on the pitch. Impressed with KWP though. Would've been nice if we had Sterling or Edwards or Georgiou to come off the bench and get a run out but hey, we're through comfortably and that's the important thing.
Just need a decent draw now. Citeh v Manure would be a good start followed by the Mousers v Chavs/Norwich. We kind of owe Coventry one, it would be nice to get them at Wembley.
Ah didn't know that. He's picked up quite a few injuries now. Bloody hope he doesn't become the next Terry Dixon.
Didn't go to the game, have a rotten cold and couldn't be arsed to trek on the trains feeling bunged up so just had it on the radio. Also saw the highlights on MOTD, it's so weird how highlights make a player look completely different because after hearing everyone's assessment of how poor Nando was, the highlights showed him to set up two great chances for Lamela and Kane and thus could've had two nice assists. It's tough seeing him struggle like this, this isn't an unproven guy who lacks quality, he's a bloody good player and his CV is probably the most decorated in our squad. I think part of the problem is the severe lack of game he's got, even Janssen got a lot more than him. Also, as someone else mentioned, we're not playing to his strengths, Nando isn't a guy who's gonna make a 20 yard run and beat people, he's the type where if you knock a ball in the air there's probably an 85% he'll win the aerial battle. Our style is more possession based in which the ball is more often than not played to feet, which renders Llorente more or less useless if we expect him to slot into that like Kane does. The one time we hit a good ball in the air to him and he scored (albeit offside). That's what we need to do more of when he's on the pitch and I hope we do see a lot more of him as we need someone to lighten the striking burden on Kane, it's nice having the likes of Son, Alli and Eriksen who all chip in but ultimately we need another central force to step up when required. I believe Nando is that man but we need to be more accommodating towards him Great seeing Wanyama and Lamela getting starts to further build match fitness. Sounded as though Mousa looked more comfortable which is nice (still need a new CM though). Seemed as though Sissoko had one his better games too. KWP sounded like he didn't put a foot wrong and Foyth also seemed to get along nicely. In the appearances I have seen him play he seems very composed, matured far beyond his years but you'd worry if he was in a straight battle with a rough and tumble CF like a Deeney type. Hopefully over the next coming months and years he'll get more accustomed to English football and beef up a bit. A shame we couldn't involve more youngsters, ALKM mentioned that Edwards was injured but it would've been nice if Sterling, Georgiou or TOB got a chance. Still, nice win, good morale booster for squad players plus those returning from injury and we progress to the next round. Happy days.
I agree with most of this, but I think that we were set up incorrectly from the start and the sub changed that. Our midfield was wonky, providing no width or pace and little creativity. Son offered all of those things. I'd blame the team selection first and Llorente's form second, honestly. The most promising thing about Walker-Peters' display for me was his willingness to play left-back as if it's his natural position. He cut inside a little too often for my liking, but went wide and crossed with his left on a couple of occasions and wasn't scared to run at people. If he's going to be used in that role, and for me he should've been earlier in the campaign, then it's nice to know that he's comfortable there. I fancy his chances of getting a goal or two as well, if he gets the opportunities. I took the opportunity to try out Club Wembley for this game, as the tickets were still pretty cheap at £15. The seats are a lot more comfortable, but it was bloody quiet in the section that I was in. Not sure if that's generally true or just this game. The Wimbledon fans were in good voice for most of the match, but their "AFC, Wimbledon" chant should be taken out back and shot. The short period of Ole football was funny and I must admit that I found their pantomime booing of Alli quite amusing, too.
I'm surprised you didn't mention that amatuerish attempt at oneupmanship they did at the start of the second half. Came out 2 minutes after us and then started to doing sprint exercises down by the touch line. I couldn't believe the ref allowed it.
I could. He allowed everything else! I thought that coming out that late was a bit of a pisstake, but the sprints looked like something that they do regularly. Could be wrong, as I've got no idea what they normally do, but it seemed quite natural and everyone knew what they were doing. Unusual, definitely. Might help us to come out a bit quicker at the start of a half, though. Maybe we should try it?
It was full of young kids going to their first match where I was, which is nice but I did a "Coooooome On Yooooou Spuuuuuurs" and made a little girl run terrified to her mum. As my kids would tell you, I am the loudest noise on the planet but had to hold myself in check. Good crowd at more than 47,000 though.
Pretty boring draw that. No standout ties. As long as we treat Newport with respect and don't just turn up thinking we can win, we should be fine.
