Originally Posted by
MadAmster
We've known all along that we may well fall a little short this season, and the last four games against teams who, in all likelihood will extend theirs, proves that.
Again there were good things about the evening. We started both halves with energy and intent. We picked the tempo up again after the first half drinks break. Our centre halves (whoever they are) continue to play well. We scored a beautifully crafted goal.
Equally, last night repeated the consistent weaknesses which are holding us back. Mistakes in key areas for their goals. Inability to keep the tempo and passing up for really long periods (its as if we forget and slip into ingrained ways), little goal threat, Martin too isolated, and not enough men in the opponents' box when we get there. Also, lack of real pace in the team.
Rooney has clearly had an influence off the field - it can be no coincidence that we were top of the form table 3 games ago - but I think championship managers have now had time to work him out. He gets caught in possession far too often for a player of his quality, and sadly when he's not on his game, we usually fail.
Last night was a bigger worry as far as I'm concerned. Too many hollywood passes, especially after we trailed, little talking to his younger team mates, and overall much poorer body language. I hope that its just the number of games in such a short period which has taken its toll, but he has been a shadow of the March player since lockdown.
IMO, any other player playing that poorly would have been subbed at HT at the latest
I enjoy Cocu's basic premise in respect of possession football, and for the first time in some years you can see the coaching actually having an effect. There is a good pattern to our play. Being ultra critical, we do have a habit of "doing an Arsenal", ie. trying to score the perfect goal sometimes, but overall I like what I see. It needs more oomph rather more frequently than we currently see.
Roos - Faultless. Catching not punching more too. My MOTM
Lowe -Always less likely to go past his man on the right but a solid performance defensively.
Fozzy - Reliable as always, and very good against a good opponent.
Clarke - Consistently good.
Davies -A surprisingly excellent return.
Bird - Quiet.
Rooney - poor. Shouldn't play against the DYS
Lawrence - Industrious but continues to make poor decisions in the final third. As the left sided of the attacking midfield 3, I'd expect to see him frequently out there on the left wing...... hardly ever there. Again some good defensive work.
Knight - Needed the goal, worked hard. Awful pass for their first and nearly gifted them a 2nd, Roos saved his bacon there.
Martin - Quiet, wonderful lay off for the goal.
Sibley - Not his best night but always a threat.
Our season overall is epitomised by the youngsters - you can't expect instant consistency when 3 or 4 starters are still in the very early stages of learning their trade. Sibley needs to work on his first touch, Bird needs to improve his range of passing, Knight his awareness, but for goodness sake they have done brilliantly this season and have a quality coach to guide them.
We need pace, and more athleticism, and we're not too far away.
This game will, in a few years, be a quiz question. When did a side last lose 1-2 away from home and supply the assist for both of their opponent's goals plus that of their own?
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