Not that long ago Buxton was a favourite of the boo boy brigade, seemingly incapable of doing anything right. Well what a turn around!! For some time now he has been the stand out performer week in week out and was IMO the MOTM on Saturday. He got forward with purpose when needed and didn't put a foot wrong defensively. I don't feel the lad gets enough praise and for me he would be first on the team sheet along with Garrrrry.
As for semedo this guy is an absolute monster and fast becoming my favourite player. Someone on the new 606 described his performance and predictable and reliable. Personally I think he was a catalyst for our improved performance towards the end of the first half. Any opposition players who saw his performance at the weekend won't be looking forward to facing him in the future that's for sure.
As a whole it was an excellent team performance but I feel the 2 lads above were instrumental in our improved performance.
Lewis Buxton and Jose Semedo
posted on 26/9/11
The main thing is that you have named 3 outstanding performers (and I totally agree with all three you mentioned) and each one is from a different line of the formation.
posted on 26/9/11
Fair point on Buxton - I wasn't sure why he was offered a new deal but he's showing us why. Not that I ever booed him, just thought we needed a clean slate in the summer.
posted on 26/9/11
Buxton is the best defender at the club & this season has added an attacking aspect to his game aswell.
POTM for August & will probably run Madine close this month aswell.
posted on 26/9/11
i was just thinking the same today at work, i cant see it quite working that way for JOC though.
on saturday, as mentioned above buxton semedo and madine were excellent but i thought what changed the game was moving JOC out wide and putting lines in the middle, he was brilliant in there . he constantly made himself available and forced the play, i cant remember the last time one of our central midfielders decided to grab the game by its nads and really decided to dictate a game......hope its the start of things to come.
WTID
posted on 28/9/11
I had Lines as MOTM with Buxton & Madine close behind.
Two things changed the match for me.
1) Lines took control of the match and passed the ball creatively.
2) We stopped passing the ball to JOC & effectively played with ten men.
I agree that Semedo is growing well into his role. GM has to find a way to incorporate Semedo, Lines & Marshall into a formation that is effective. A rigid 442 with two wingers is roo easy to counteract.
posted on 28/9/11
Similar to Saturday after we swapped Lines/JOC I assume.
Play Palmer/Prutton on the right but have them tucked in allowing Lewis 'Cafu' Buxton to bomb on & then have Marshall on the left but with the freedom to go & join in with Madine/AN Other knowing Semedo can cover him with Lines & Palmer/Prutton sliding across to cover the central area.
Also allows any (most likely Lines/Palmer) of the others to join in with the front 2 aswell knowing they have the cover of someone able to slot in the space they've left.
Modern, flexible & covers all bases both defensively & attacking.
Pretty much how Norwich have gone from losing 7-1 at Colchester to the Premier League.
The one area we might be weak is left back unelss Bennett's form picks up again & he produces a bit more going forward.