Well aside from the outstanding performance from Bogdan which will do him no end of good, tonight was full of negatives. Alonso, Eagles, Ryo, Klasnic all had bad games. Can't say I'm too cut up about the cup though, we need to focus on the League. Will be supporting Spurs all the way now, hope they go on to win it.
The main negative being though the injury to Darren Pratley. I know many don't rate him, but he has been a goal threat and a steady performer in our last few games. Not only that but he, along with Mavies and Reo-C were our only fit CM's with Holden, Davis and obviously Muamba all out. That means we have 2 fit CM's in a 5 man midfield. I am also very aware that should we switch to 442 as we did tonight after the goal, it took less than 5 minutes to concede. So what are the options.
First one which I have a bad feeling Coyle might opt for is 442. I won't even bother discussing that as all fans know about this.
Second and my preferred is young Josh Vela. I can't see Coyle going for this though. Although willing to put him on the bench, Coyle seems very reluctant to bring him on when he is on the bench. Even tonight preferring a CB in that role. The same with Michael O'Halloran, he was on the bench 5/6 times and didn't get on once. He in my opinion is more than up to it with a little bit of everything in his locker. Good tackler, dribbler and passer. Bring up Blakeman to fill bench.
Third is a recall for Sean Davis. Was apparently injured the other week but it wasn't a serious one. I would certainly hope the club recall him in any case.
Fourth is Ream in midfield. Not a fan of this despite him doing all right there. This would leave us with a Wheater-Knight defence. No thank you.
Another which Coyle has tried in the past is playing a player completely out of position such as Elmander in CM last year. Suppose Eagles would be the most likely candidate should Coyle favour that. Going on tonight's performance, no thanks.
We're certainly in a pickle. Just hope we can ride this season out now.
Now What?
posted on 28/3/12
I think Ream has done well and we need to keep a 4-5-1 so he should start as the DM.
posted on 28/3/12
Alonso needs game time....he was nervous which is understandable. Ream should not be anywhere near our midfield. Put him back in defense and use Tuncay if need be. I agree with other posters about using some of the younger players....we rarely have games where we are 3 or 4 goals ahead to then bring on a lad for some experience. So it has to be done in regular games. Give Vela, Eaves etc 10 minutes at the end of the Wolves game.
posted on 28/3/12
My quick thoughts on the game.
Fantastic tribute again to muamba and the medical staff, coyle showed class and dignity by thanking the fans at the end. Well done.
However, after the lucky 3 points against blackburn (you have to admit we was lucky in the last 10 mins) I thought this was the worst, most gutless performance ive ever seen, yes we have lost by bigger margains but even at wembley last year we at least looked like we wanted to try! Yesterday proves how dire our squad depth actually is and how coyle is unable to set a team up to beat teams that attack us. Im not part of the 'lets forgive him for all the terrible signings, subs, tactics and sucky-uppy interviews because hes handled the events of the last few days really well' school of thought ,sorry im just not.
Its just humiliating when a tottenham steward has more possession than us in a ten min spell...even if your a confrence side never mind a premier league one.
Id even go as far to say they threw it, even at 2 nil down we were still passing back to bogdan or hoofing the ball in to pointless areas of space.
Sorry.
posted on 28/3/12
Benny... Sordel is cup tied.
I am worried hes gona turn in to another ward if im honest though...
posted on 28/3/12
Trig,
You've surpassed yourself this time mate, go and have a sit in a dark room because what you've come out with is a complete load of rubbish.
The performance against Blackburn was brilliant, and you say lucky? Blackburn were awful and there only threat was the long throw, why not say we controlled the game for 70 minutes, but Blackburn charges forward towards the end. Do you remember Blackburn having any chances in this final 10? No that's because they didn't.
posted on 28/3/12
we still dont offer much up front and always look like we will concede, alonso needs to come in to allow ricketts to play centre back
posted on 28/3/12
HH.... The blackburn statement maybe was a bit wrong.
However, you cant say you was happy with yesterdays performance though?
Also, im not blaming the prattley substitution as we were ghash before then.
I never expected us to actually win it, just look botherd.
Only player who looked the slightest threat was kev davies when he came on.
posted on 28/3/12
The first half when we had it we passed it around confidently but they were scared to get forward.
I wasn't happy with it, but we had an 11 that had 2nd string unfit players, Spurs had pretty much their strongest 11. It was a mis-match. Simple as that.
No I think we can conclude Eagles, Klasnic, Boyata, Knight definitely don't deserve a starting spot. I'll give Alonso benefit of doubt as he has been injured all season but for 3 games of which hea played well in and needs more practice.
You are 100% over-reacting. Man for man compare our teams together, each player is better than ours that played last night. Other than Reo Coker for Livermore perhaps. We did show fight, but it doesn't matter if you have tons of fight or none of it, if the opposition are better than you in all areas then they will play muh better than you.
posted on 28/3/12
I'd also say one of reasons Ngog hasn't scored many goals was evident last night, 451 means he's up front and stranded on his own.
We had Klasnic and Davies up top for a minute which meant they could link up, and TE former crossed for the latter to score. Ngog hasn't had that all season, 451 has shored up the team but it's taken all chance of scoring away from us aswell. We're left to hope something comes out of nowhere or we score from a set piece
posted on 28/3/12
Your missing the fact that he had two very good opportunities which he spurned. That's more the reason why he is not scoring. He is in no way clinical. Chances are limited but not none existent and ngog must start taking sone otherwise he is not good enough to play that role. Even skd returned +5 nearly every season. 2 is awful