evilweevil666

How's rom not even come close to that cross? Deu put it exactly where it should have been.

McCarthy should be off for deu here. Don't need two holding mids right here.

the difference he and McCarthy make is immense!

Two of our most intelligent and spatially aware players. Difference in team shape and off the ball movement is so noticeable.

Tough one here, very disciplined and efficient performance. McCarthy and Mori deserve praise for defense work, Oviedo was everywhere, Barkley showed his growing confidence, and Lukaku held the ball up well, but it has to be Lennon. Tireless at both ends and provided the spark we needed.

Im going to vote on motm after ive seen the game tonight but reading here it looks like Barkley, Lennon, Mori and Oviedo are havong a good night?

Definitely. Great first half for McCarthy as well keeping our shape, and pretty good holdup from Rom.

Funes Mori so disciplined at the back right now. Tracking everything.

Joel's confidence growing every game. We need to stick with him and see where this goes.

Brilliant awareness and composure there.

he was injured for ages.

 

Amazing what a difference he and McCarthy make. Duracell bunnies.

Absolutely. To clarify, that's what I meant by when we can play Cleverley. Happy with the shift Kone put in early in the season, just think Martinez persisted with him slightly too long.

But should focus on the positives. Work rate and organization is so much stronger with those two on the pitch.

How we ever play Kone on the left when we can play Cleverley is beyond me.

i think our defense is tighter without Baines - he plays out of position most of the time

Oviedo inexperienced at left back but very eager - high work rate

Maybe. Baines certainly not quite up to standard after coming back from injury, but McCarthy seems to be the real difference for me. Covered Afellay multiple times today while Oviedo was still tracking back.

McCarthy tireless in defense. Adds so much to our shape and pressure on the ball.

Lennon. Put us ahead when we looked like we couldn't finish, won the penalty to finally see a game out, and tracked back defensively during our worst periods of the game.

Seamus, but just edged it over Rom. Howard deserves a shout as well.

I'd quite like to see us try Gerry in the No.10 role since we couldn't land one during the window.

 

I think he has all the attributes to play the role and can be our most creative player on his day.

Not sure I agree with this. Everyone is complaining about Barkley in the 10 and they have similar problems. Barkley can create magic, but he can't pick out a pass. Instead just puts his head down and runs at defenders. Deulofeu is maybe a little more creative than Barkley, but unless he improves significantly in his vision I can't see him creating many opportunities in that role.

No link-up play today once kone came off. Barkley is also honestly partially to blame. Puts his head down and just runs at the defense, no vision at all.

Jags.

Lukaku, Lennon, McCarthy, Alcaraz all good today, went with Lukaku though.

Gone for Coleman as well. Gibson good when he came on, thought Stones and Naisy were decent as well. Not even going to say anything about Howard...

Stones. Defended well and put the ball through for our goal. Naismith would have got it at half time, but thought he was poor in the second half. Jags and Joel decent as well.

haha and to think somehow possession in the 1st half was 50-50. it's probably so lopsided now

Was 50/50 at the half, 56/44 now.

I cant believe weve actually been even worse this half

At least so have Palace. Can't imagine they wouldn't have scored with Chamakh on the pitch as well.

you going to comment on any of the good things he's doing?

What has he done today other than the goal? Happy he scored, but that could have been anyone and I can't think of a single other thing he's done.

Barkley kone and Oviedo on please

Would love both of those changes.

Thought Joel started a little shaky, but looked confident for the last 30 mins or so. Good distribution as well.