19-04-2023, 01:08 PM
Held off for a day of three and rewatched on TV before commenting.
Positives:
- Felipe (1st goal aside)and Navas.
- Had a couple of clear cut chances.
- Defended the box desperately but mostly effectively.
- McKenna back.
- It was only 2-0...
Negatives
- Gifted 1st goal- yet again.
- Lack of fight all over pitch until in our own box.
- Rarely competing for 2nd balls.
- Taiwos finishing.
- Full backs leaving midfield exposed.
- Midfield leaving everyone exposed
- MGW has lost his mojo since Wolves game.
- Niakhate is looking bang average currently.
- Worrall not well (He was very good last week).
- Officials-again.
Overall we were well beaten by a team who have a genuine squad of almost like for like replacements. They get stick but Lindelof and Maguire were mostly untroubled after 20 minute mark. Erikssen was meant to be on bench but was imo their best player. Presumably squad rotation. Shaw s 'deputy' at LB scored a good goal. Martial was a handful-though his finishing ropey, thankfully.
However - and this is not to excuse some poor performances- at 0-0 if the penalty is given (which we all now know it should have been) then it does change the complexion of the game significantly- assuming we score it (De Gea has a terrible penalty saving record apparently) then a point is definitely not out of the question. If he gets 2nd yellow, then maybe even more.
We are really missing Yates, Boly and Kouyate down the spine. All very big, athletic and strong characters- as well as solid footballers. Although Williams has definitely improved last 2 games he is certainly no Aurier who we have also missed, for similar reasons as the other 3 albeit he doesn't play in the spine.
Liverpool away will be horrible. They will feel they owe us after being turned over at our place, plus all the prematch emotion that will be added in.
Sure plenty will still claim Coopers tactics or Cooper's gilet cost us as the truth is just so much more difficult to affect and far too obvious. Ie Our available team contains too many players who are lacking in key elements required to compete in this league. Some lack athleticism, some lack consistency some lack concentration, some lack pace, some lack required quality and sadly it seems some lack character and will to fight for every ball. Nearly all- including the boss- lack experience at this level. Ultimately, put thst together and we are not good enough-at the present time.
We CAN still stay up, just need that one result to turn the tide, no idea if any of our key missing players are due to return, because that's what we really need, some more character and athleticism to help fight tooth and nail to get those points.
Positives:
- Felipe (1st goal aside)and Navas.
- Had a couple of clear cut chances.
- Defended the box desperately but mostly effectively.
- McKenna back.
- It was only 2-0...
Negatives
- Gifted 1st goal- yet again.
- Lack of fight all over pitch until in our own box.
- Rarely competing for 2nd balls.
- Taiwos finishing.
- Full backs leaving midfield exposed.
- Midfield leaving everyone exposed
- MGW has lost his mojo since Wolves game.
- Niakhate is looking bang average currently.
- Worrall not well (He was very good last week).
- Officials-again.
Overall we were well beaten by a team who have a genuine squad of almost like for like replacements. They get stick but Lindelof and Maguire were mostly untroubled after 20 minute mark. Erikssen was meant to be on bench but was imo their best player. Presumably squad rotation. Shaw s 'deputy' at LB scored a good goal. Martial was a handful-though his finishing ropey, thankfully.
However - and this is not to excuse some poor performances- at 0-0 if the penalty is given (which we all now know it should have been) then it does change the complexion of the game significantly- assuming we score it (De Gea has a terrible penalty saving record apparently) then a point is definitely not out of the question. If he gets 2nd yellow, then maybe even more.
We are really missing Yates, Boly and Kouyate down the spine. All very big, athletic and strong characters- as well as solid footballers. Although Williams has definitely improved last 2 games he is certainly no Aurier who we have also missed, for similar reasons as the other 3 albeit he doesn't play in the spine.
Liverpool away will be horrible. They will feel they owe us after being turned over at our place, plus all the prematch emotion that will be added in.
Sure plenty will still claim Coopers tactics or Cooper's gilet cost us as the truth is just so much more difficult to affect and far too obvious. Ie Our available team contains too many players who are lacking in key elements required to compete in this league. Some lack athleticism, some lack consistency some lack concentration, some lack pace, some lack required quality and sadly it seems some lack character and will to fight for every ball. Nearly all- including the boss- lack experience at this level. Ultimately, put thst together and we are not good enough-at the present time.
We CAN still stay up, just need that one result to turn the tide, no idea if any of our key missing players are due to return, because that's what we really need, some more character and athleticism to help fight tooth and nail to get those points.