Great report, glad that you are back doing them mate. Agree with most of what you have written. Again like the West Brom performance, I thought that considering the experience of the side we had on show that it was another heroic showing. To consider that we played a third of the game with ten men, an average age of 23 and not a single viable substitute to call upon, these lads are doing us proud. They NEED some help though, we are in desperate need of reinforcements if we are to really challenge.
I quite like Parker ball so far and the fluidity of the movement of the forward players. It’s very clear that a lot of work goes into these passing triangles with underlapping runners in the wide areas. The game plan is clearly to switch play at every opportunity to the opposite flank (wide man is hugging the touchline at all times) and then start working these passing patterns. The partnership between JZ, JA and PB is a joy to watch. Given how vital attacking full backs are to this way of playing, it is very encouraging that we were able to win this game with Mepham at right back, as he obviously provided no attacking threat whatsoever (not a criticism or his fault.)
In terms of the ratings I thought Anthony was one of our better players and well worth an eight. This boy really is something else. His vision, timing of pass and execution are all sublime. He played a couple of superb cross field balls today. Only minor point I’d make is that he should maybe keep his defender guessing by mixing up his game a bit more, running at his defender more often would make this guy almost the complete player for his position. His work rate is also exceptional.
I thought Mepham was very vulnerable but that this was no fault of his own. He is in no way whatsoever to playing as a full back in a team that presses high up the pitch. Not fair to judge him on this showing but I hope never to see him there again. When Davis game on the threat down that side immediately evaporated.
On Brooks, for 60 minutes we had the Brooksie of old back. Gliding across the turf, clever interchanges and a massive goal threat. He then goes and receives one of the most braindead red cards that you are ever likely to see, and right after we were in the ascendancy. Im sure we’ll here the regular sound bite “he will learn from this.” Well i’m sorry, no. He should not need to learn from this, if he hasn’t worked out by now at the age of 23 that pulling a players shirt back in a completely inconsequential area of the pitch when already on a yellow card and your last warning then the guy is probably never going to learn. Idiotic in the extreme and now we’re even more stretched for Wednesday.
JZ MOTM for me, one of the finest full back displays in recent years. And I’m not exaggerating either. A constant menace going forward and had the Forest winger in his pocket defensively. Was a lot more diligent with his defensive positioning today and didn’t get caught out with balls in behind.
Quick word on Travers. Commanded his penalty area much better today, very pleasing to see him come and claim a couple. All in all a very enjoyable day.
ps please could you continue doing the reports as it takes me about an hour and a half to write them when I do it and I’d like my weekend back lol
I quite like Parker ball so far and the fluidity of the movement of the forward players. It’s very clear that a lot of work goes into these passing triangles with underlapping runners in the wide areas. The game plan is clearly to switch play at every opportunity to the opposite flank (wide man is hugging the touchline at all times) and then start working these passing patterns. The partnership between JZ, JA and PB is a joy to watch. Given how vital attacking full backs are to this way of playing, it is very encouraging that we were able to win this game with Mepham at right back, as he obviously provided no attacking threat whatsoever (not a criticism or his fault.)
In terms of the ratings I thought Anthony was one of our better players and well worth an eight. This boy really is something else. His vision, timing of pass and execution are all sublime. He played a couple of superb cross field balls today. Only minor point I’d make is that he should maybe keep his defender guessing by mixing up his game a bit more, running at his defender more often would make this guy almost the complete player for his position. His work rate is also exceptional.
I thought Mepham was very vulnerable but that this was no fault of his own. He is in no way whatsoever to playing as a full back in a team that presses high up the pitch. Not fair to judge him on this showing but I hope never to see him there again. When Davis game on the threat down that side immediately evaporated.
On Brooks, for 60 minutes we had the Brooksie of old back. Gliding across the turf, clever interchanges and a massive goal threat. He then goes and receives one of the most braindead red cards that you are ever likely to see, and right after we were in the ascendancy. Im sure we’ll here the regular sound bite “he will learn from this.” Well i’m sorry, no. He should not need to learn from this, if he hasn’t worked out by now at the age of 23 that pulling a players shirt back in a completely inconsequential area of the pitch when already on a yellow card and your last warning then the guy is probably never going to learn. Idiotic in the extreme and now we’re even more stretched for Wednesday.
JZ MOTM for me, one of the finest full back displays in recent years. And I’m not exaggerating either. A constant menace going forward and had the Forest winger in his pocket defensively. Was a lot more diligent with his defensive positioning today and didn’t get caught out with balls in behind.
Quick word on Travers. Commanded his penalty area much better today, very pleasing to see him come and claim a couple. All in all a very enjoyable day.
ps please could you continue doing the reports as it takes me about an hour and a half to write them when I do it and I’d like my weekend back lol
