- Oct 17, 2008
- 14,501
Ryan - 7. Excellent penalty save. Was visibly annoyed at Bong’s performance today. Still question marks about his tendency to stay on his line for crosses/corners but couldn’t help either goal.
Schelotto - 6. Got forward well. Still a bit naive and silly - needless booking gave them a dangerous free kick.
Dunk - 6. Solid.
Duffy - 6. Solid. Thought the penalty was a touch soft.
Bong - 4. One to forget, an own goal can happen to anyone, but it was the defending and lack of awareness which led to it in this case. Positionally terrible today. Some poor crosses and went to sleep after the OG letting them in at the back post again, where they should have scored.
Knockaert - 1. Hate to lay into our own lads, but really terrible today. I said to my old man at half time he was having a shocker and couldn’t see him coming back out. Nothing worked for him, which we are used to off Anthony’s off days, but more worrying was his attitude. He didn’t chase back as much as usual and the red card was pure frustration. Blazed high and wide in his only creative moment and I didn’t think for a second he’d score. Needs some time out to refresh, get his head right and start afresh. Oh, and lost the ball leading to their opening goal.
Kayal - 5. Showed (me, at least, I’ve been a Stephens-skeptic in the past) how much we miss Stephens. Lacks his physical presence in breaking up attacks. But moreover, it changed the whole shape of our team - here’s why. Stephens challenges every header in defence midfield as the anchor man. Kayal is never going to win anything, so this meant Propper and the centre halves had to drop into the “hole” to challenge Sigurdsson and their striker. The tight shape (our bread and butter) was compromised constantly which left us trapped in our own half and unable to get out. Looked reasonable on the ball but would’ve preferred Pröpper sitting in, and Kayal going box to box to support Gross.
Pröpper - 6. Did quite well I thought, lots of good tackles in the middle of the pith. Done for pace a few times as usual but never critically so.
Gross - 6. Again, decent enough. Lovely Cruyff turn (his favourite). Needs players in and around him!
Izquierdo - 6. Worked hard. Offered little creatively and spent a lot of energy supporting Bong who really struggled.
Murray - 6. Lead the line in his usual style. One shot. Got frustrated - just one of those days.
Bad day at the office all round really. Was delighted to be at 0-0 at half time, as I thought we were good for a point.
Never mind - onwards and upwards!!!
Schelotto - 6. Got forward well. Still a bit naive and silly - needless booking gave them a dangerous free kick.
Dunk - 6. Solid.
Duffy - 6. Solid. Thought the penalty was a touch soft.
Bong - 4. One to forget, an own goal can happen to anyone, but it was the defending and lack of awareness which led to it in this case. Positionally terrible today. Some poor crosses and went to sleep after the OG letting them in at the back post again, where they should have scored.
Knockaert - 1. Hate to lay into our own lads, but really terrible today. I said to my old man at half time he was having a shocker and couldn’t see him coming back out. Nothing worked for him, which we are used to off Anthony’s off days, but more worrying was his attitude. He didn’t chase back as much as usual and the red card was pure frustration. Blazed high and wide in his only creative moment and I didn’t think for a second he’d score. Needs some time out to refresh, get his head right and start afresh. Oh, and lost the ball leading to their opening goal.
Kayal - 5. Showed (me, at least, I’ve been a Stephens-skeptic in the past) how much we miss Stephens. Lacks his physical presence in breaking up attacks. But moreover, it changed the whole shape of our team - here’s why. Stephens challenges every header in defence midfield as the anchor man. Kayal is never going to win anything, so this meant Propper and the centre halves had to drop into the “hole” to challenge Sigurdsson and their striker. The tight shape (our bread and butter) was compromised constantly which left us trapped in our own half and unable to get out. Looked reasonable on the ball but would’ve preferred Pröpper sitting in, and Kayal going box to box to support Gross.
Pröpper - 6. Did quite well I thought, lots of good tackles in the middle of the pith. Done for pace a few times as usual but never critically so.
Gross - 6. Again, decent enough. Lovely Cruyff turn (his favourite). Needs players in and around him!
Izquierdo - 6. Worked hard. Offered little creatively and spent a lot of energy supporting Bong who really struggled.
Murray - 6. Lead the line in his usual style. One shot. Got frustrated - just one of those days.
Bad day at the office all round really. Was delighted to be at 0-0 at half time, as I thought we were good for a point.
Never mind - onwards and upwards!!!
We'll also see if Solly can step up as he has also had a pretty poor season.
