Some will say tonight didn't matter. Maybe it won't in the long term, but in the short term it matters a great deal. Perhaps Pearson can point out in the week that Burnley are still on our heels or that contract aren't completely decided for next year yet. Either way, that was shambolic and much better is expected against a Reading side which, on this season's form, could be great, terrible or anywhere in between.
Here are my ratings:
Schmeichel: 6 - Could do little about the 4 goals that went past him, given that all were from close range with poor marking or defending.
Moore: 3 - A particularly disappointing performance. Didn't look up for it.
Wasilewski: 5 - Beaten a lot in the air and could easily have been sent off.
Morgan: 6 - At least relatively steady and tested the opposition keeper, although not as dominant as he usually is at the back.
Konchesky: 4 - Miscontrolled a lot and was unusually poor positionally.
Mahrez: 4 - Aside from one eye-catching swivel past a couple of players and the resulting shot, he might as well not have been on the pitch.
Drinkwater: 6 - It wasn't his fault that he was surrounded by tripe.
King: 5 - Often overwhelmed in midfield although got little support and at least tried to get the attack moving. Didn't move the ball fast enough.
Knockaert: 5 - Got frustrated but was the only one alongside Drinkwater trying to get our normal gave moving in the first half.
Nugent: 5 - A few decent touches but generally couldn't get into the game.
Phillips: 4 - Starved of service and was unable to influence the game.
Wood: 6 - Again starved of service, but provided at least some decent hold-up play and posed a few questions.
Dyer: 6 - Gave the fans something to get excited about.
Taylor-Fletcher: 7 - The only one who really looked like he wanted it but came on too late to do anything about it.
MOTM: Stephen Dawson.
Well, Taylor-Fletcher if I have to pick someone.
Brighton must not be able to believe their luck with the timing of their games against us this season. Some will say they looked really good tonight, although I beg to differ: Burton Albion would have looked really good against us tonight, let alone Brighton and Hove. Through the first half, they even looked really nervy at times to me, and if we'd put them under any kind of pressure I believe they were there for the taking. However, we didn't, and as a result we saw them grow in confidence until they knew they had it in the bag in the second half and just started enjoying themselves. This could serve as the match that gives them a boost at a vital time; however I don't think they'll be so lucky in the rest of the season and I predict they'll finish where they are now: Just outside the playoffs.
Player ratings vs. Brighton
posted on 9/4/14
To be fair, I think what True Blue was objecting to wasn't the questioning of the manager over team selection (which frankly I do myself over last night) but that this was out of arrogance and was disrespectful to the fans. After all, it wasn't like we stuck out the youth team. Quite the opposite in fact!
Anyway, I would not expect the players out there on the pitch to have lost appalling 4-1 at home to a frankly average Brighton side. They were still decent players out there and there was only one player (Phillips) who would arguably need to be carried. The manager takes a portion of responsibility and I agree that I don't think he put out the strongest side that he could have done. That also sent out a message that the match perhaps wasn't being taken as seriously as it should have been. But it wasn't a terrible side on paper, these are (usually) professional players and the performances on the pitch were more of a collective problem.
posted on 9/4/14
Dung just seen the low lights! why isn't anyone commenting on the superglue on Kaspers feet. He was glued to his line. His defenders would of expected him to come out and pluck the ball out of the iar as each of the headers where 3 yards out in the middle of the goal?
posted on 9/4/14
I guess it was easier for Nev to misunderstand or ignore the basis of my question than give a straight answer.
I've noticed that happens a lot on here.
posted on 9/4/14
Nev, you don't think questioning the integrity of a Manager like NP isn't the highest form of disrespect that anyone could ask ?
How far up your own bottom are you TB.
This is not Priminsters question time.
No i am not questioning your Gods integrity just his team selection get yourself a sense of humour mate.
If you can't take it don't give it out JG can does that make him better than you ?
posted on 9/4/14
Nev, I haven't seen the lowlights but my judgement from last night was that the defence should be the ones dealing with the 1st goal (King lost his man), the 2nd should have been prevented at source with the cross. (Moore needs to be closer but he should have had more support anyway) and the 4th everyone fell asleep but the match was long over by then anyway. So while he'll be disappointed I think Kasper was let down by the guys in front of him.
posted on 9/4/14
Moore was in my sons opinion poor last night and it was all coming down the left & my mate Konch played a suside ball to DD.
As a goal keeper a ccrap one i admit. My Criticism of Kasper is he does not own his area and relies on his reactions. all the headed goals where in the 6 yard box dead centre. A big shout and a flaing fist would of done the job. His defence know he's not coming out or if he is its a mad rush of blood. Harsh as it sound's these are the things that will stop him forfilling his potential as a keeper imo.
posted on 9/4/14
Can I just check, it's Johngee calling Pearson arrogant?
posted on 9/4/14
For the record, I disagree with Pearson's team selection last night but not anywhere near as much that his actions were arrogant.
Arrogant? Really? Arrogant.
Amazed.
Arrogant? I have read that word correctly?
Imagine Pearson in his office:
I know, I'm far better than those silly supporters. I'm going to select a team of whoever I want cos I'm the boss. Check me out, king if the football.
I can just see that now.
Pearson got his selection wrong last night, he was too kind to too many players and this, coupled with many other factors, resulted in a poor defeat.
It was not arrogant.
To suggest that you know better than a manager who has just achieved promotion with 6 games to spare however. Well, make your own conclusion.
posted on 9/4/14
John Gee is right in my view to criticise Pearson for last nights performance. On balance, it's harsh because of what he has achieved this season, but he got the selection wrong last night
Where JG is wrong however is that this selection was a show of arrogance from NP. We have a squad that hasn't really been utilised fully this season and players on the wage bill hardly getting a look in. We have played successive Saturday/Friday and Tuesday matches for a month. If you can't utilise some of your squad after you have been promoted when can you?
To suggest it was a show of arrogance undermines the warranted criticism of Nigel's tactics and reveals a true dislike of him as a person. Which to be fair is pretty much JGs issue
posted on 9/4/14
Interesting thread. I'm still not going to criticise - it's not the right time in my view - but I will slot in a couple of ratings that Dunge missed out:
Pearson (season) 10
Pearson (last night) 4
Just for completeness you understand!