02 Feb 2021 20:22:18
Today, although we played against 9 men, was our best performance in a long time. Defensively looked quite assured and solid, though Max Kilman was quite good at lb. also thought that neves and moutinho were both outstanding, both defensively and offensively. The wingers created lots of quality chances and even adama has a quality 2nd half. However, I wasn’t impressed with Jose. For me he’s too static, tries too hard and also is scared to shoot. There was many instances tonight where he found himself in great positions but never shot, or tried a stupid flick to a teammate. Maybe it’s a confidence thing but. I’d consider playing Fabio vs Leicester as I thought he bought a lot to the table in the last 5 minutes- he actually pressed the defenders, went for headers and made lots of runs, which almost ended up with a goal for Vitania. Starting Fabio would also motivate Jose to kick on and create some rivalry- just a though.
Either way, hopefully this is a turning point and as they say, out of darkness comets light! COYW.
02 Feb 2021 20:56:10
Sorry Stafford we seem to have watched a different game, I thought Kilman was slow and nervous 1st half, Jose did shoot but should have buried Traores cross.
Fabio to me is not strong enough yet.
02 Feb 2021 21:15:43
It's good win, onwards and upwards.
Thought Boly was outstanding and put his body on line today.
When I seen the line up I wasnt sure on 4 at back, but I do think we create that bit more, having Johnny back soon will be a big plus since he's match fit. Jose gives us that bit more shape up front and links up well.
All in alla good night and the result we needed, regardless of how many players were on the pitch.
Both red cards were correct also.
02 Feb 2021 21:18:00
Sorry Stafford. Kilman is not a LB. Can't blame him. He did his best and didn't ask to be played out of position. Difficult to judge the rest really. Suppose we have to look at the first half really. Difficult to draw conclusions but I think it's fair to say it's going to be a struggle to the end.
Although it was nice to see Adama enjoying himself in that 2nd half. And of course a great 3 points. Boly easily our stand out defender. The other 3 all looked shaky at times. Onwards and hopefully upwards.
02 Feb 2021 21:32:22
Have to agree with Norfolk Wolf, don’t know which match Stafford was watching. Back four was a disaster and we were so lucky to be just the one down, although that was a category of errors. Poor Max Kilman had a torrid time at LB but to his credit he kept going. Coady can’t play in a back four, far too slow and doesn’t time his tackles well when having to pick up a man. Some of their opportunities were down to bad decision making. Both Coady and Neves tried to play cute cushioned headers when they should have taken the option of clearing the ball. The Neves header led to their goal. Boly was our saviour in the first half and it was good to see him berating those in front of him, who failed to provide any cover got the back four.
Need Saiss back ASAP. He can play as spare man in back three, left sided CB in either a three or a four and also as a LB and LWB at a push. Is he injured or being left out because he is opting to leave when his contract expires in the summer.
I would be offering him a contract extension of two years, with an option for an extra year.
Back to tonight Inthought William Jose impressed. His touch was good and held the ball up, well. Needs to be a bit more aggressive when challenging in the box, but will adapt to the more physical nature of the Premier League.
Moutinho came into his own when we had two extra men. He took control and dictated the pace. Unfortunately didn’t have that impact when they were at full strength.
Neto is the genuine article. Outstanding and a threat every time he was on the ball. We need to base our future recruitment around getting players who can complement what he brings to the team. If we can get the ball through the oppositions defensive line, he will deliver in goals and assists.
02 Feb 2021 21:34:26
Im with you Norfolk. Kilman slow.
02 Feb 2021 21:58:37
I thought Neto was man of the match with Moutinho control through midfield spraying passes around plus his goal was a screamer. Semedo made some good runs and after the pen we appeared to come to life with a lot more confidence. Jose definitely isn’t up to speed yet he is very static and doesn’t seem to be fit for PL yet he missed a sitter with his head late on. His run through for the pen was positive. Adama seemed to gain confidence in the second half too.
I feel the defending still needs sorting and it looks to me like some are afraid to tackle maybe because of VAR?
Boly was much better tonight back to form.
Hopefully the win will give them the confidence to move onwards and upwards!
02 Feb 2021 22:52:37
For me Kilman just showed that he's not a full back, skinned far to easy and regularly on the outside but I suspect Nuno played him to help with our woeful heading at set pieces. As for Jose I think peeps need to realise that he's not Raul, what I mean by that is (like Fabio) he plays a slower but more central game. I thought for a second start he had a good game, held the ball up and laid it off well (which we've been missing) . And those saying he's static need to re watch the pen win cause he ain't static when it matters! Give him time cause (for me) I think he's going to be exactly what's needed! I don't want to be dramatic but you look at the table and that may just be Nunos most important win at the club! Let's hope its just the beginning! COYW ðŸº.
03 Feb 2021 07:01:12
Up until the penalty Thomas partey run neves and moutinho ragged from what I saw, we need to find someone who can do the same, and if next season we are to persist with a back four then we need a good centre half to play alongside boly, coady can't play in a four.
As for Neto, if we can hang on to him, we should be building our team around his strengths, cause he is a world beater.
03 Feb 2021 07:59:20
Bigcheese68
It seems Nuno is determined to go to a back 4 eventually, but you're right. We need the players that suit that system. It just baffles me as to why we bought wing backs ( Semedo and ait nouri) if Nuno wanted a back 4. I guess Jonny would be ok at RB or LB. But yes, we'd need a CB and to address the midfield to play that system.
03 Feb 2021 08:08:23
Kilmun is not a left back so don't expect him to perform as such. Neto (no criticism) was not affording him much cover, and as keeps being mentioned, we did not play 9 men, we played 11 until half time scored against a 2 tier defensive line via moutininho 30yder and only played against 9 for last 1/ 4. Why some of you guys can't just enjoy our victory I don't know. The lads put in a performance last night had the rub of fortune and secured the points.
03 Feb 2021 09:36:03
My apologies for that last post, I hadn't read other posts thoroughly and thought it was all negative criticism. Realise now you're pointing out the frailties of back four without fullbacks and cb. I appreciate that but was saying the lads did well in those positions and won. Let's not get on their backs.