A few things about the team

[phil58]

We are definately needing a commanding centre back who can organise the defence. Their forwards today completely out-muscled and out-thought Dunne/Onuha/Richards. They also won nearly every header. If it wasn't for Kompany covering them we would have shipped more goals.
Priority in January must be central defenders and someone with more bite in midfield.

 

[Bill]

this problem is sorted in the next month!

Various players are obviously carrying a knock or two. January will bring quality in depth to the squad that we've never had in my lifetime, I'm sure of that.

this. we are desperate for a friggin left back though are'nt we?

 

[Mills-Mcfc]

Various players are obviously carrying a knock or two. January will bring quality in depth to the squad that we've never had in my lifetime, I'm sure of that.

this. we are desperate for a friggin left back though are'nt we?

mentiond that to you there, ball was fuckin shockin

 

[mackenzie]

Let's face it, we flatter to deceive at times.

But the nucleus is there and today we showed some much needed grit and determination.

The team spirit seems to be back and that's the most important thing.

Got to say that even though Robbie does seem to go missing on occasion (skill wise) he is a proper pro. Never gives up and how often can you say that about a player who cost a silly amount of money? Love him to bits...his attitude is second to none. Nice to see Elano getting his head down and getting on with things too. Even when he struck that bloody awful free kick at least he looked suitably embarrassed and eager to compensate after.

The signs are good at the minute.

Said to son when Studge came on..."He's cocky but he's worth it."

Didn't dream that the subs could turn it around like that though. Well done Hughes.

 

[PaulC1979]

The problems stem from a few places:
- Not having a target man who can genuinely hold the ball upfront therefore it comes straight back at us
- Having a far too attacking midfield. 4 players in Elano, Ireland, SWP and Robinho who are all attacking minded and have a tendency to bomb forward the minute we get the ball. We then invariably misplace a pass or fail to hold the ball up and are left with 5 men stranded upfield while the whole weight of the opposition team comes straight down onto Kompany then the already lacking quality back 4. There is no consistent playing through our midfield as it lacks shape. We often fail to pressurise the opponents midfield and very rarely win second balls or balls that are loose either.
- The back 4 also lacks quality, both Richards and Ball are poor readers of the game and Dunne has been a liability far more than he's saved us this season.

 

[cyberblue]

Also Corners at both ends of the pitch, i never have any confidence that either we will score or clear our lines

 

[blue62]

This is NOT a slagging off of Dunnie, just an observation - why does he seem to struggle against really physical players? It's really odd. Big strong guy with some pace so you would expect him to relish battles with Roberts, Heskey etc. But they always seem to rough him up and outpace him. Seems to have better games against real quality players??

 

[avoidconfusion]

You forgot to mention Zabaleta
FIVE yards adrift of his marker for the 2nd goal
seemed to have been beaten for every header.
pace a worry

Or is Zabaleta crticism-proof?

Wasn't Zabaleta's man to mark, it was Kompany's who then suddenly walked away from him.

 

[morganporny]

Is Ireland above criticism? He was a bag of piss today. and SWP?

 

[hackster123]

You forgot to mention Zabaleta
FIVE yards adrift of his marker for the 2nd goal
seemed to have been beaten for every header.
pace a worry

Or is Zabaleta crticism-proof?

Wasn't Zabaleta's man to mark, it was Kompany's who then suddenly walked away from him.

have to agree mate!! Kompany left his man!