Popular Post Zoo 2.0 Posted August 30, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 30, 2018 A shaky start I thought against inferior opposition but overall a good result in our first game back under the floodlights. I was pleased with the team (just three changes from the one I posted) but was worried that one of them was Maarten Stekelenburg. Despite being an experienced head I just don't have confidence in him at all, especially after he let a low cross go unchallenged across his six-yard box in the opening few minutes which nearly gave me an aneurysm. To his credit he dealt with the high balls well but I'm hoping that in the near future Joao Virginia becomes our No.2. At the back Jonjoe Kenny was brilliant. I don't think he was as MOTM worthy as the radio stations are making out but he was good. Mason Holgate likewise with Lucas Digne, my player of the game on the left. Kurt Zouma I thought was really rusty. Bambi on Ice for the first 45 but seemed to settle down in the second half. Fingers crossed he puts his poor season with Stoke behind him and turns into a solid option for us, to his credit he was much better in the second half but I was worried at the beginning ! The midfield was great for me with nobody having a bad game. Tom Davies did what he needed to (great to see him captain) and Gylfi did well with his poachers effort to make it 1-0. Sandro Ramirez had some real moments of magic and just needed a goal to top off his performance, the best of luck to him in Spain as I've just heard he's left for Real Sociedad. Hopefully he manages to get some game time with them and come back a better player as a result. He was absolutely lethal for Malaga so there is a player in there somewhere. Kieron Dowell, despite snatching at a few chances I thought was alright, he really should have made it 4-1 in the last minute but snatched at his chance. Oumar worked his socks off as always but looked off the pace, his 50p head putting many palms to faces when he blazed his header over the bar. Up top DCL was fantastic, a well taken second goal and a great header for the second to put us out of sight. Overall a very professional performance which is pleasing to see after so many changes. We had about three or four higher gears to go into if needed and it proved scoring so quickly after Rotherham did. Zonal Marking continues to be our Achilles heel which is frustrating (I hope Silva allows us to go man-to-man at corners) but time will tell how that one plays out. Onward to Huddersfield and a return of Southampton in the next round! 6 hours ago, TallPaul1878 said: Really not sure of Holgate, but then I'm set in my ways. I prefer my centre half to be 6ft+. I think he would do much better alongside a Jagielka but 10 years younger. I've always been a big fan of Jags and it's a shame to see him age and struggle a bit. Cenk is great with his back to goal. Receives the ball well, turns and plays it every time. Problem is he doesn't have either the strength or the pace to drop his defender once turning. He is never going to do that and will have to rely on the give and go then getting into the box. Holgate is 6'0 exactly - are you suggesting that if he was an inch taller you'd be happy with him? On 29/08/2018 at 18:28, MikeO said: You're old enough to remember when nobody dropped players for the League Cup though Pete; it's only a recent thing. I can understand teams with the extra games in Europe resting players but don't get why the rest do. Even then you're potentially depriving your fans of a day at Wembley, you said earlier that you're not going tonight; if we made the final would you watch it on TV? This is how seriously City took it in the final last season.... Whilst I can see where you're coming from it's not exactly a great comparison looking at their cup final squad. Being 90 minutes away from the trophy of course they're going to take it seriously. Their starting XI against West Brom in the 3rd Round last season included the likes of Mangala (who they then shipped out on loan), Delph and Yaya Toure (who had a frosty relationship with Pep). Don't get me wrong it's still a strong squad but I think that most Premier League clubs in and around the Top 10 take their foot of the gas when it comes to the Carabao Cup. Personally, I think that if we can't beat the likes of Rotherham with a second-string squad then we had deep problems behind the scenes. Aidan, Hafnia, pete0 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Steve Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 13 hours ago, Paddock said: It’s about winning trophies- that’s what the fans want, that’s what the club needs. It’s essential we start winning silver ware again, until we do the club will sit in mediocrity. Yes the too 4 is the ultimate goal but to get there winning a cup along the way is what makes the board, coaching team, playing staff and fans believe in the project. I do understand the value of winning, and for sure you understand much better than I the frustration of so many years without silverware; nonetheless, the chance that we'll achieve our goal increases significantly when we put all else aside in an obsession to reach it. I'd rather we established a lasting legacy in the top four than a flash in the pan League Cup final win that, after more years of drought, will come to ring hollow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 5 hours ago, Cornish Steve said: I do understand the value of winning, and for sure you understand much better than I the frustration of so many years without silverware; nonetheless, the chance that we'll achieve our goal increases significantly when we put all else aside in an obsession to reach it. I'd rather we established a lasting legacy in the top four than a flash in the pan League Cup final win that, after more years of drought, will come to ring hollow. Is rather we did both Romey 1878 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 7 hours ago, Cornish Steve said: I do understand the value of winning, and for sure you understand much better than I the frustration of so many years without silverware; nonetheless, the chance that we'll achieve our goal increases significantly when we put all else aside in an obsession to reach it. I'd rather we established a lasting legacy in the top four than a flash in the pan League Cup final win that, after more years of drought, will come to ring hollow. going by that then should we finish outside the Europa League spots until we are good enough to finish 4th? The Europa would be a distraction from achieving 4th would it not? To attract the players who will get us to 4th and above, you need to be winning silverware, playing in European football etc. I'm sure the players we signed this summer have done so on the back of a promise that we will be back playing European football soon and challenging for trophies, which in turn will attract better players once those goals are completed. Paddock 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 Success breeds success. It really is that simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Steve Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 3 hours ago, Matt said: Is rather we did both And I do believe that one would follow the other, but we must get the order right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornish Steve Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 1 hour ago, aaron said: going by that then should we finish outside the Europa League spots until we are good enough to finish 4th? The Europa would be a distraction from achieving 4th would it not? To attract the players who will get us to 4th and above, you need to be winning silverware, playing in European football etc. I'm sure the players we signed this summer have done so on the back of a promise that we will be back playing European football soon and challenging for trophies, which in turn will attract better players once those goals are completed. Financially, we wouldn't succeed by doing what the rich clubs do anyway. This is why we need a strategy that is unique, and the best is to focus on youngsters. To answer your question, yes. We should not chase the Europa League when we're not ready. Just look at the last two occasions we were there, or look at Burnley this year. A poor record in the league hurts rather than helps our chances of recruiting top European players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vranny Posted September 2, 2018 Report Share Posted September 2, 2018 To me it’d be like saying we should avoiding finishing in the top 4, as champions league games would provide a distraction from winning the league... Romey 1878 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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