Just on the way back from the match and what can I say?
The defence were much improved, Lees and Bromby in particular were great.
Clayton was phenomenal, going for everything and got there most of the time.
If it wasn't for two sending offs we would have been the much stronger team. When it was 10vs10 in particular we played them off the park.
Grayson should've taken Howson off at half time, everyone knew he was going. The sending off however was controversial, the ref seemed to award us a free kick for Emnes' diving then changed his mind. Looking forward to seeing it on the football league show tonight. (have now seen the clip on sky sports and Howson sticks his arm out but doesn't make contact and it looks like a dive to me).
Honestly cannot fault the lads though 100% effort and Lee's was playing as striker towards the end winning balls in the air.
Unlucky today and my only complaint is howson not being brought off voluntarily.
P.s Lonergan was excellent, made some great saves and commanded his area.
MOT!
Great Effort!
posted on 13/8/11
Cheers for an articulate write up.
I wonder if they'll all be as glowing about the defence?
MOT!
posted on 13/8/11
Thanks Mate, nice to hear some positives from a 1st hand account
posted on 13/8/11
Would sacrifice the booked Howson for Nunez on the left
Howson got the player sent off and ref may redress the balance- Howsons yellow card was a cynical foul too.
MOT
Posted 15mins before Howson got his marching orders- Brown should have stayed on and Howson off as Ref was gunning for him.
posted on 13/8/11
KellysHeroes
Did Brown go off?
posted on 13/8/11
ERIC- Yes he did(BATES OUT)
posted on 13/8/11
bet you're Browned Off about missing that Eric
posted on 13/8/11
Highlandwhite
Bloomin' heck! I'll wager me missing that will cheer up one 'doom and gloomer' at least! = Bates out!
posted on 13/8/11
Well one of the linesmen was terrible and had to come off with an injury. Gave one decision against leeds right in front of him that the ref had to overturn.
Kisnorbo was a bit rusty but better than against Southampton and O'Dea isn't a left back but looked steady.
As we knew before, we need a full back like Lichaj or a dedicate left back. Another centre mid, we had to resort to Thompson today, who looks promising but isn't quite ready to be in the first team and most importantly a striker/target man. We have no height in attack at all, even Lee's moving forward was an improvement.
posted on 13/8/11
Kisnorbo seems a bit laboured to me and people at game said same thing.
Great to see Lees and Bromby play, I hope O'Brien is not coming back any time soon, and hope this defence can gel.
posted on 13/8/11
Jonty - We said the same about kiss. he looks uncomfortable running and at the moment looks to have lost 2 yards of pace. All in all though a proper spirited performance.