Dear oh dear, that was rotten. Hard to see any progress for the foreseeable future playing like that.
Saints had us completely sussed, really pushing the 3-3 part of their progressive 4-3-3 formation on to our back four, knowing that we haven’t exactly got the best wide midfielders defensively and that when pushed back we tend to leave our front men isolated. Expect more of this at home, especially from the weaker teams (another mental block to get over – the nervy approach to games we’re expected to walk).
It feels like we need to freshen things up a bit – Bikey has taken the casual attitude too far (now taking 21 of the 20 seconds he needs, rather than the 19 SC talked about), S Hunt has run out of ideas, Kebe needs a rest (despite the goal) and N Hunt could do with a re-boot (I’d like to see Lita back and straight in the team, with Noel starting 2 or 3 games on the bench, just to give his legs a rest).
Marks:-
USA – 7 - made some very good saves, thought he might have come for the first goal, but maybe not
Rosy – 4 – every so often he has a stinker against a player he just can’t seem to work out. Made the by no means bad but not exactly great Wright-Phillips look like a world-beater
Bikey – 5 – far too casual in every respect
Ivar – 6 – a bit shaky but as he was playing against three players (their two forwards and Andre) did OK
Stretch – 5 – little chance to do much going forward and the nerves spread to him as the game wore on
Kebe – 5 – scored at last but failed to put the defensive shift in that Liam desperately needed
Harps – 5 – anonymous till late on
Cisse – 6 – our only decent player 1st half, but partly at fault for the 2nd goal when giving the ball away cheaply
S Hunt – 5 – hustled and bustled to absolutely no effect. Again.
Doyle – 6 – worked hard, but lacked edge
N Hunt – 5 – seems to be wearying, although lack of support didn’t help
Marek – 6 – creatively good (started the move that led to the goal), but tends to get overrun
Long – 5 – back to trying too hard, needs to get the simple things right first
Bryn – 5 – a pointless substitution
Number 13 – 1 – at least, that’s all that those around me deserve. I can’t believe how negative people get so early in a game. That must transfer to the pitch, surely? At the moment, away games are infinitely more enjoyable, in my opinion.
