Lovebitesandeveryfing
Well-Known Member
Well, people have been vociferous about defending his performance, and it raised a doubt in my mind. I wondered if I hadn't been too harsh about his second half. So I've just watched it a second time.
Not a bit of it. I was not too harsh. He was downright poor. What you're all remembering is the first half, where he was good. He fashioned a decent chance for himself to shoot in the second half and put it straight at the keeper (he was not the only one to do that, to be fair). That's it.
The other thing that strikes me is that I have not been unduly harsh on Slovan either. I genuinely believe we have not met a poorer opponent since we got back into the CL (from the original European Cup and 68) under Mancini. They had two or three breaks, and thank God, they were awful at them.
Oh and just a word about the much-maligned Nunes, who quite a few seem to have decided they would bin off, forthwith. He put a pinpoint pass onto the head of Haaland which Erling really should have scored from (and he knew it) and a brilliant ball to the foot of Rico, which he also should have scored from (and he knew it). He does not impose himself physically, and although that's a weakness, it's all that some people are seeing.
Well-taken goal by Erling from a very sharp pass by Rico. The one real illumination of the half — James's goal. He will have done himself a world of good in Pep's eyes. Really, really pleased for him. When Pep brings someone young on for fifteen minutes and they seize their chance, he notices. I believe he'll get other chances. Lovely subtle dinked pass from Phil, as well, to create it.
Not a bit of it. I was not too harsh. He was downright poor. What you're all remembering is the first half, where he was good. He fashioned a decent chance for himself to shoot in the second half and put it straight at the keeper (he was not the only one to do that, to be fair). That's it.
The other thing that strikes me is that I have not been unduly harsh on Slovan either. I genuinely believe we have not met a poorer opponent since we got back into the CL (from the original European Cup and 68) under Mancini. They had two or three breaks, and thank God, they were awful at them.
Oh and just a word about the much-maligned Nunes, who quite a few seem to have decided they would bin off, forthwith. He put a pinpoint pass onto the head of Haaland which Erling really should have scored from (and he knew it) and a brilliant ball to the foot of Rico, which he also should have scored from (and he knew it). He does not impose himself physically, and although that's a weakness, it's all that some people are seeing.
Well-taken goal by Erling from a very sharp pass by Rico. The one real illumination of the half — James's goal. He will have done himself a world of good in Pep's eyes. Really, really pleased for him. When Pep brings someone young on for fifteen minutes and they seize their chance, he notices. I believe he'll get other chances. Lovely subtle dinked pass from Phil, as well, to create it.
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