by Ian Royal »
08 Aug 2009 20:55
Just got back and haven't read the thread yet. THought I'd put my thoughts down before I forget.
Overall a decent showing. We kept the ball well and showed a lot of intelligence in our play. We looked very solid at the back and on the whole controlled the game.
Main problems were no urgency or pace in the vast majority of "attacks" and a lack of support from the wings or midfield to the lone striker. Once again we saw very few people in the box when we did get a cross in or a chance.
Federici - 7 One amazing save, how he kept it out I'll never know, would like to see him using his kick more. Lets vary things a little please.
Rosenior - 6 solid in defence but poor going forward. Some really really poor passing early on.
Bertrand - 7 tidy play and got forward well. Not sure he's got what it takes to make it at the top, and still think I'd prefer Armstrong, but we're strong at left back.
Pearce - 9 fantastic, comfortable on the ball, strong in the air and a good reader of the game. Not been convinced by him previously, but on that showing he has a big big future.
Cisse - 8 not in Pearce's league and a few silly mistakes, but none costly (and Pearce dropped at least one clanger), not very strong in the air, but perfectly good enough until Ivar or Mills come in.
HRK - 6.5 had some very dangerous moments and one to watch, but drifted in and out of the game.
Kebe - 6 Created lots of really good potential chances and managed to ruin virtually all of them himself. No secret i don't like him. Same old Kebe, flattered a lot without doing enough. No final ball.
Tabb - 6 tidy and energetic, but didn't do enough for me. the weakest of the central midfield.
Karacan - 7 played well, but for me isn't suited to the holding role unless he improves. Doesn't move the ball or turn quick enough. I know we want to play a passing game, but we need to move the ball forward with more urgency and drive.
Davies - 7 raw but lightening quick. Probably made the most mistakes in the middle, but also looked the most like creating or scoring. Could be a regular.
Church - 6 got barely a sniff upfront, but improved massively out wide. He injected urgency on that right flank.
Long - 7 a very good showing from Long, showing us what a good sub he was. No signs of a woeful first touch and caused problems. No surprise we showed some of our most attacking threat when he came on and Church went out wide.
We need to try and play more in the middle and not at the back. We need more movement in the middle and we need that change of pace to drive at the opposition more often. Flashes of attacking football. But I thought we looked distinctly pedestrian and had no real desire to score until the red card.
New style of football, same lack of attacking quality.