Good post, Mark. Whilst Richarlison was moving about, his passing was woeful. Really lax. Gave away possession so easily and didn’t seem that fussed that he had. Agree about Gomes. If their forwards are alive to the parry, then our defenders have no excuse. Cleverley was just superb. I’ve always loved that boy’s attitude. Top class.
Fair enough, ofh, but I was very disappointed with many of the players’ lack of application today. They weren’t looking tired so much as couldn’t be arsed. There were notable exceptions to that as I’ve listed.
That's what pissed me off. When they look as though they couldn't give a monkey's toss I get angry about it. We're all entitled to
I thought the lack of effort was patent and agree it makes me fizz. I’m the first to defend them if things don’t go their way not through lack of effort, but there truly is no excuse for a can’t be arsed attitude. I was pointing out to Matej (so nearly typed his real name there!!) about how focused Pereya was on the sideline as he kept warmed up. Constant stretching, kicking, running. He was forever in a light sweat, watching the game, too. That’s the level of professionalism I expect.
Thanks Andy. I really don't like criticising players on a forum if they give their best. Sometimes they struggle for confidence and negativity everywhere won't help them. But today was different - and it worries me.
Not to make excuses but Richarlison came to us off the back of the Brazilian season and is only 20. He needs a rest. Trouble is we can't afford to rest him. That we're having to put so much faith into a kid is a bit of a worry.
Trouble is no-one else really looks like a real threat in attack. And he at least seems to be fit - well not injured anyway ! I am sure if others were playing well he'd be rested. What has Mariappa done to be dropped totally ?
Totally agree with this, and it's worrying. Agree with Mariappa, too. Sorry, may be alone, but I don't think he did.
If the players were trying to save their energies for Tuesday, they should've killed the game off first, instead of a lot of it being like a pre-season friendly (although Swansea also have to take their share of blame for that, as they didn't really have a go until the end). Richarlison has basically played a season and a half in one go - it's bound to catch up with him. Prodl not being the same defender since he's been injured could be due to a lack of game time, but I think that he's not as good for us without Cathcart, as I think those 2 are our best central defensive pairing. I was surprised at the time how much we paid for Gray, and I was hoping I would be wrong but he seems to be another Trevor Senior in that he's scored goals elsewhere, we've paid big money by our standards for him, and he's failed for us. Are the fans starting to mention one of his former teams in the comments aimed at him? If not, it can only be a matter of time if he continues in this form.
Naughton given 3 match ban for stamp on Okaka. Doesn’t help us keep hold of the 3 points which a sending off may have done though, does it?
Amazing that we slow the game down after going 1-0 up after 11 minutes, surely that must be a trigger to keep going esp as the opponents need to attack. do we not have a team Psycho to sort the dressing room? Gomez as captain worries me a bit, I think he would be a great captain out on the pitch but in goal he really can't have a go at most of the team.
You mean a Vinnie Jones type character? I have a vague recollection of us having Pink Shirt Man a decade or so - hired to help Boothroyd, if I remember correctly. Maybe we should contact him... Agree with you re the slowing the game down. To me that indicates one of two things - 1) the players are following instructions from MS, or 2) the players are ignoring instructions from MS. Either way, it's the fault of MS. Mentally going back over previous Head Coaches, the term 'one trick pony' crops up a lot. To my mind, that's the problem with MS - he is hell bent on sticking to his preferred system, regardless of whether or not it works. Surely if we're going to spend half of every game sitting back & letting the opposition attack us, then four at the back would be more sensible? I read a comment about Prodl yesterday on another board, suggesting that he's not as effective this season because he's not paired up with Cathcart. That's possibly true, but maybe the issue is that, in a back three, he's not actually paired up with anyone? I keep thinking back to GT's philosophy - a manager shouldn't try to fit players into his favoured system, instead he should build a system around the strengths of the players. Barnes, Callaghan, Blissett and Jenkins make it bloody hard to argue against that.
Listening to five live last night - I doubt any of you will be surprised to know that Richarlison is the most fouled player in the PL this season. But let's focus on the treatment Harry Kane gets
