I don't normally partake in this thread (though I read it). I don't like rating players individually, but I will make comments:
I thought the first ten minutes were all us. Which is good to see. Too often last year and early this season we have been low to start. Unfortunately they got into the game and settled and while we had some good possession and did make some good movements, I can't think of any shots on target, let alone any that troubled their keeper. They seemed to cut us open when ever they wanted, and had little trouble.
Smith - Didn't seem to do anything wrong per se, he just seemed to be out of his depth, like a kid playing with men.
Murray - seemed very Dickinson-esque. He got fouled a couple of times early and didn't get anything from the ref, so seemed to go down easy a lot as if making the foul more obvious would get the decision, didn't seem to try as hard as he has in the past couple of games, seemed to get frustrated and fouled players in the same way he was being fouled, but unlike the leeds players, he never got away with it. He seemed frustrated and like he didn't turn up. His selfishness led to the second goal - He kept going and tried to play through the defender instead of laying it off for Forster. Murray lost the ball (far too easily, as he frequently did today) it was played precisely up the other end and put past Smith.
Cox - again seemed to give up too easy, didn't seem to try for balls h could have made with a little effort. A couple of times he ran into space, and then when the ball didn't come to him he'd get frustrated and not make another run for a while. Didn't do anything to deserve the ovation when he got subbed.
Bennett - played too many aimless balls, too many random flick ons into space where we had no men. Seemed a little lightweight. Never stopped running though.
El Abd seemed to be out of position too much. I know left back isn't his natural position, but he has played there so much this season he shouldn't be drifting across to defend from the centre back position, especially when Elphick is already there marking the guy el abd thinks he is covering. I think El Abd is fortunate the goals didn't come from these errors. And he did chase back to defend from our attacks quite quickly and put his share of effort in.
The whole defence seemed to punt the ball aimlessly too much. Going forward we never seemed to have attacking options or movement. It seemed we were outnumbered and too compact - the flick ons and aimless hoofs often found spaces where there were no brighton players. We also seemed slower to react, like we wanted a few more minutes to judge distances and likelihood of reaching the ball before going for it.
I think this game will be good for us, long term, it gives Gus and the squad a reality check. It's not all changed simply because we have a new manager. The players will hopefully realise they really need to step up their game, gus will see some of the weaknesses in our team and where our guys need coaching, where they need motivating, reining in etc.
Of course, we should factor in this is our 3rd game in 7 days. Which is concerning because there isn't much respite in the next couple of weeks.
I thought the first ten minutes were all us. Which is good to see. Too often last year and early this season we have been low to start. Unfortunately they got into the game and settled and while we had some good possession and did make some good movements, I can't think of any shots on target, let alone any that troubled their keeper. They seemed to cut us open when ever they wanted, and had little trouble.
Smith - Didn't seem to do anything wrong per se, he just seemed to be out of his depth, like a kid playing with men.
Murray - seemed very Dickinson-esque. He got fouled a couple of times early and didn't get anything from the ref, so seemed to go down easy a lot as if making the foul more obvious would get the decision, didn't seem to try as hard as he has in the past couple of games, seemed to get frustrated and fouled players in the same way he was being fouled, but unlike the leeds players, he never got away with it. He seemed frustrated and like he didn't turn up. His selfishness led to the second goal - He kept going and tried to play through the defender instead of laying it off for Forster. Murray lost the ball (far too easily, as he frequently did today) it was played precisely up the other end and put past Smith.
Cox - again seemed to give up too easy, didn't seem to try for balls h could have made with a little effort. A couple of times he ran into space, and then when the ball didn't come to him he'd get frustrated and not make another run for a while. Didn't do anything to deserve the ovation when he got subbed.
Bennett - played too many aimless balls, too many random flick ons into space where we had no men. Seemed a little lightweight. Never stopped running though.
El Abd seemed to be out of position too much. I know left back isn't his natural position, but he has played there so much this season he shouldn't be drifting across to defend from the centre back position, especially when Elphick is already there marking the guy el abd thinks he is covering. I think El Abd is fortunate the goals didn't come from these errors. And he did chase back to defend from our attacks quite quickly and put his share of effort in.
The whole defence seemed to punt the ball aimlessly too much. Going forward we never seemed to have attacking options or movement. It seemed we were outnumbered and too compact - the flick ons and aimless hoofs often found spaces where there were no brighton players. We also seemed slower to react, like we wanted a few more minutes to judge distances and likelihood of reaching the ball before going for it.
I think this game will be good for us, long term, it gives Gus and the squad a reality check. It's not all changed simply because we have a new manager. The players will hopefully realise they really need to step up their game, gus will see some of the weaknesses in our team and where our guys need coaching, where they need motivating, reining in etc.
Of course, we should factor in this is our 3rd game in 7 days. Which is concerning because there isn't much respite in the next couple of weeks.
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