pretty sure its the first time the manager has laid into the players at half time for a couple of years
Much worse is a bit of a stretch, would say the “best XI” are pretty similar. Key difference being in the full backs and he apparently relies on them heavily the way he plays. We have good full backs and Stoke didn’t when he was there
http://www.planetfootball.com/video...erg-kicks-team-mate-bllocks-celebrating-goal/ As I mentioned early, Hojbjerg kicked Stephens in a delicate spot.
Just got home. The A34 both ways was a ****ing journey from hell. M3 and M27 weren't much fun either. Everywhere else was fine. Bloody knackered. Glad we avoided Spurs.
Just got back. Agree with Tom - A34 was very snowy, even on a coach. Then further struggle from Chieveley to home. But, hey - We won, and we're on our way to Wembley!!!
Just got back.... well it would have been rude not to stay for dinner at the in-laws and discuss the game I’d love to have listened to Sparky at half time. What a difference.
Having had a few hours to deliberate. Great to win at last, in a game where we needed to get a result. Important because there are going to be another 8 to 10 cup finals coming up. That showed signs of promise. Without getting carried away - we beat a team two divsions below us and we didn't do it very easily - we were good for the win overall but Wigan were great and played proper football which I respect. What I took away from that was in the first half we were the Pellegrino side, we were ragged, nervous, swinging wildly at balls and running into dead ends, battling ourselves as much as the conditions. In the second half we were Hughes' team, far more controlled, careful, penetrating and eventually confident. We played the way I have been expecting us to play all season. I mean ****, we even managed to put a pass through for Gabbi to run on to. That has not happened once in 12 months! It's not fair to criticise anyone at this point but Guido has got a lot to prove. Physically he doesn't strike me as a top class player, I don't see much of a threat oozing off him the way I do Gabbi and Austin. He needs to find a groove and build his place in the team or he isn't going to cut it and it will be another black mark against Pellegrino who presumably asked us to sign him. Long did very well at what Long does when he came on. Redmond the same but I do hope someone is going to tell Redmond that he could do so much more. Full marks to the new manager. The right subs at the right time, the right starting 11, the right response at halftime. We wouldn't have won that game under MP2 IMO, it would have been two halves of the same. Happy days.
What makes you think this was a game we should win comfortably? At no point since we knew we were playing them did I think that. They are a very good side, full of confidence and beaten 3 Premier League teams already, including the best one. I genuinely couldn’t call this game before kick off. Last Satrlurday night I’d have said Wigan just favourites. I’d changed to 50:50 once we changed the manager.
SFC and the other mid and lower PL teams might be two divisions above Wigan in status, but are closer to Wigan than to the PL´s top 6 ability wise.
Absolutely adored Cedric's goal today. Even when things aren't right, he looks like he's busting a gut, and today was no different. Running the length of the pitch, lovely knock down header and a cool finish our forwards should watch on repeat. Beautiful, and well earned.
He had a pretty torrid first half and got turned inside out by wigan at times. Far better in the second half. And that 100 yard run and composed finish off the outside of his boot was superb. Whatever you can say about Cedric he always gives his all. He been battered and bled for Saints this season.
