How you manage to get such a great column out of that match deserves a medal! At the end I celebrated like we’d won a cup, from sheer relief. Surely we cannot have so many wayward passes in future matches?
Thanks! I agree that the passing was poor at times, but we definitely got better as the game went on. Cairney definitely helped in that regard!
Tete always does well it seems, though I do think Hudson-Odoi and Williams were more effective on his flank than other left-sided players we've faced. My MOTM would be one of the CBs, probably Andersen if I had to pick one.
Well done for the report. As a watch - it was high tension with too many negative passes that just gave up territory that too often ended up with Forest possession. We looked better when being positive. We didn't have to be positive all the time - but over the TV it seemed that the crowd was getting restless with every pass back towards our own goal. Thrilled with three points. but even with the weakened squad - surely we can find a better balance between attack and defence. We lost at Newcastle at least in part from allowing them to force us back. Aided by negative play. But - regardless - onwards and hopefully upwards.
I think starting Berge and Lukic together in midfield invites that negativity - unless they are both on it, the pair don't offer the same dynamism and positive moves Iwobi does, and it drags the energy and attacking momentum of the team down. Of course, we did make some good moves towards the end of the first half, and Cairney, to his credit, rectified this issue again when he arrived in the second half.
It's always tricky finding the balance, too - unfortunately through injuries and AFCON departures, added to Marco's unhappiness at his squad depth and our lower-than-usual points haul, we aren't quite in the "luxury" we've had in previous years, where the team can cruise through some of these home fixtures and compete for the European spots (or at least hover around them for a bit). We'll have to be patient and trusting of the team over the next few weeks with so many key men out, but if Cairney can put himself through successive fixtures in the style he did today, I feel some of the negativity in possession might be able to clear.
I'll always take the 3 points, no matter how they come, and especially when we are stretched so thin by AFCON. It's about keeping heads above water until we get those players back, and this win goes a goodly ways towards that. This game was a chore of a watch for the neutral, but it was a beauty for the supporters of the shaggin' whites!
As you said, the Lukic-Berge pairing is so negative that the goals will have to come from somewhere else, and that somewhere else is down the left-hand channel. Both Robinson and Kevin are still finding form. I expect them to improve significantly, both individually and as a pairing, as they get a run of games in together.
Cairney was a vital substitute in this game. His skillset is perfect for this situation exactly -- narrow lead, under pressure -- when he can calm things down with his composure on the ball. Marco would do well to keep this in mind and avoid subbing him on in situations that aren't suited to his strengths at this stage in his career.
How you manage to get such a great column out of that match deserves a medal! At the end I celebrated like we’d won a cup, from sheer relief. Surely we cannot have so many wayward passes in future matches?
Tete was my MofM. Thanks!
Thanks! I agree that the passing was poor at times, but we definitely got better as the game went on. Cairney definitely helped in that regard!
Tete always does well it seems, though I do think Hudson-Odoi and Williams were more effective on his flank than other left-sided players we've faced. My MOTM would be one of the CBs, probably Andersen if I had to pick one.
Well done for the report. As a watch - it was high tension with too many negative passes that just gave up territory that too often ended up with Forest possession. We looked better when being positive. We didn't have to be positive all the time - but over the TV it seemed that the crowd was getting restless with every pass back towards our own goal. Thrilled with three points. but even with the weakened squad - surely we can find a better balance between attack and defence. We lost at Newcastle at least in part from allowing them to force us back. Aided by negative play. But - regardless - onwards and hopefully upwards.
I think starting Berge and Lukic together in midfield invites that negativity - unless they are both on it, the pair don't offer the same dynamism and positive moves Iwobi does, and it drags the energy and attacking momentum of the team down. Of course, we did make some good moves towards the end of the first half, and Cairney, to his credit, rectified this issue again when he arrived in the second half.
It's always tricky finding the balance, too - unfortunately through injuries and AFCON departures, added to Marco's unhappiness at his squad depth and our lower-than-usual points haul, we aren't quite in the "luxury" we've had in previous years, where the team can cruise through some of these home fixtures and compete for the European spots (or at least hover around them for a bit). We'll have to be patient and trusting of the team over the next few weeks with so many key men out, but if Cairney can put himself through successive fixtures in the style he did today, I feel some of the negativity in possession might be able to clear.
Excellent game report!
Thanks!
That's very kind, thank you!
I'll always take the 3 points, no matter how they come, and especially when we are stretched so thin by AFCON. It's about keeping heads above water until we get those players back, and this win goes a goodly ways towards that. This game was a chore of a watch for the neutral, but it was a beauty for the supporters of the shaggin' whites!
As you said, the Lukic-Berge pairing is so negative that the goals will have to come from somewhere else, and that somewhere else is down the left-hand channel. Both Robinson and Kevin are still finding form. I expect them to improve significantly, both individually and as a pairing, as they get a run of games in together.
Cairney was a vital substitute in this game. His skillset is perfect for this situation exactly -- narrow lead, under pressure -- when he can calm things down with his composure on the ball. Marco would do well to keep this in mind and avoid subbing him on in situations that aren't suited to his strengths at this stage in his career.