Just a quick one tonight (the morning) as it's already late.
Schmeichel: 6 - Some said he should have done better with the goal, although a ball struck cleanly, first time, and for centre goal is a difficult stop. Did almost commit a howler in the first half as well though.
Amartey: 6 - Always looks out of position to me at right back. Held up an end for the most part but got beaten a few times. Shall we talk about his miss? It probably didn't matter in the end.
Soyuncu: 7 - Had a generally decent and tidy game although might also be disappointed with the goal. However, I suspect the knee injury at the end will put him out for some time.
Vestergaard: 8 - His best game for us without question. Won pretty much every long ball, tidy on the ball and played some pinpoint long passes. Vastly improved.
Albrighton: 6 - Some flashes of inspiration and gave all he had as always, out of position. But it was primarily his error for the goal.
Tielemans: 7 - Had a quiet but tidy game, maintaining possession well in the second half and providing an outlet for others who were pushing harder at the Randers back line.
Ndidi: 8 - Grabbed a goal and produced a strong, watchful display in front of the back four.
Dewsbury-Hall: 9 - It occurred to me today that he reminds me of Danny Drinkwater a bit. Although hopefully more emotionally stable in the long run. Made some errors but impactful in all areas and scored the goal his play deserved later on. My choice for our MOTM.
Lookman: 6 - Always tried to get involved but looked off the pace for a good half an hour. Improved as the match went on.
Daka: 7 - Fluffed his lines a couple of times before finding the net but looked more of a threat today against a weaker defence.
Barnes: 8 - Notably getting keener to properly run at defenders again and get them back-pedalling. Hopefully he can take some form into the latter part of the season.
Iheanacho: 6 - Somehow found the keeper from two yards out. Willing.
Maddison: n/a - Obviously we hope that his going down feeling faint is nothing serious.
Perez: 7 - Whether he still has a part to play here is to be seen, but he showed some nice play late on.
Soumare: n/a
Choudhury: n/a - But he did cover at right back late on. Perhaps an option while we're covering injuries? He did play there a bit in his youth, I recall.
Player ratings vs. Randers
posted on 18/2/22
Come on Dunge - I can’t believe you haven’t given Vestergaard MOTM. Imperious performance leading the back line like Maldini in his prime against a terrorising attack.
Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration but I’m pleased for him. I hate seeing a footballer’s confidence fall through the floor at our club. If we start to play a deeper line, he can still offer something, although if not for his ans our sake let him go to a club that does.
Hard to review much else though as Randers were so so poor. It was like a pre season friendly at times.
I still worry we look a bit disjointed.
I get the Drinkwater comparison but for me KDH is better in all departments. He can work so well in tight spaces like DD never could. His only weakness is when he has space - he panics! But if his job is to break up the play, get the ball in tight spaces and beat the press we’ve got a real talent on our hands.
posted on 18/2/22
The problem for KDH when breaking at pace is that Barnes becomes his only viable outlet, every other player just runs alongside a defender, Barnes stops or pulls out wider the receive the ball, no one else try’s to find any space at all.
posted on 18/2/22
Hi all, I didn't see the match but it sounds like we were better, albeit against a not very good side.
I've had a look at the highlights, but just so I can get more of a feel of the performance, at what level would Randers be in our pyramid?
posted on 18/2/22
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 23 minutes ago
Hi all, I didn't see the match but it sounds like we were better, albeit against a not very good side.
I've had a look at the highlights, but just so I can get more of a feel of the performance, at what level would Randers be in our pyramid?
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Well I thought they looked half reasonable in the first ten minutes and was a little concerned that this was not going to be an easy game. They certainly moved the ball about quickly and showed good movement. We did grow into it though and had it not been for two or three excellent saves by their keeper, we would have been comfortably ahead at the break. Fair to say they tired significantly in the second half and we barely gave them a sniff.
posted on 18/2/22
Probably on a par with Nuneaton Town
posted on 18/2/22
If the bottom of the pyramid is 10 and the top is 1, i would say they were about 12!
posted on 18/2/22
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 19/2/22
comment by Raptorā” (U1071)
posted 17 hours, 48 minutes ago
comment by Man in the Long Black Coat (U2592)
posted 15 minutes ago
If the bottom of the pyramid is 10 and the top is 1, i would say they were about 12!
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Do you take your name from the Dylan song?
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Absolutely brilliant song - 'some people say'
posted on 19/2/22
Some people say Randers were League 2 standard, but that’s probably unfair.
They were struggling for sharpness as you’d expect given their long break and they did tire. They likely felt they didn’t do themselves justice. But all the more reason why we needed to bag several in the first leg, which the crowd recognised.
It was hard to say exactly what standard they were as compared to English leagues. What can be said is that drawing 1-1 at half time really flattered them and it could have been more. But it won’t be so easy in the return leg and we’ll likely see something more like their true ability.
posted on 19/2/22
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 1 hour, 37 minutes ago
Some people say Randers were League 2 standard, but that’s probably unfair.
They were struggling for sharpness as you’d expect given their long break and they did tire. They likely felt they didn’t do themselves justice. But all the more reason why we needed to bag several in the first leg, which the crowd recognised.
It was hard to say exactly what standard they were as compared to English leagues. What can be said is that drawing 1-1 at half time really flattered them and it could have been more. But it won’t be so easy in the return leg and we’ll likely see something more like their true ability.
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They were that poor Vestergaard was one of the best players on the pitch!