20 Jan 2025 01:24:45
My assessment on today's game.
Spurs are a fragile team at the moment and it needed a get out of the traps fast start from the blues, boy did we get that, the intensity on that high press was immense, we showed great energy and desire and we were pressing all over the pitch and they couldn't handle us at all. We were absolutely collossal in that first half and didn't give them an inch, on the front foot and not passive in our attacking play, we really went for it and 2 great open play goals followed, we really should of been 4/ 5 or even 6 up by half time but even at 3-0 I wasn't getting carried away at all. Even first 15/ 20 mins 2nd half thought we had the game by the scruff of the neck and should have added a fourth, then lindstrom and ndiaye were absolutely spent because of the work they put in and our midfield was clearly tiring as well so moyes had to make alterations, unfortunately we took 2 of our best 3 players off and it invited them on as only DCL was left to be the only threat, then when they got the 1st back I was thinking of the Bournemouth debacle all over again as we just had nothing going forward, then the 2nd goes in and i'm thinking this cannot be happening again surely, it would of been a travesty if they had of salvaged a point, some blues are heavily criticising Moyes (not on here) for the negative substitutions but what else could he have done, If Tim, Jimmy Garner and Dwight were available then it wouldn't of been an issue but we had nothing on the bench to sure it up and still be a threat the other way, also everybody is slating doucoure in the 10 role but just think out of possession this lad never stops running and cuts down the passing lanes for the opposition, I don't like him as a footballer as their is no skill or composure but as for energy he is top of the charts and we don't have anyone who can do this role until reinforcements come in and then we can juggle it about, I would love to see ndiaye in the 10 going forward when we sign a couple of players and that mc Neil will be back, things will change in the next week or so, a couple of bodies in and a few back off the treatment table so let's enjoy this win blues and all other results have gone our way too, buzzing with that win COYB.
20 Jan 2025 06:23:23
Can’t afford passengers like Doucoure any more in our Team, he is simply not good enough time to move him on and get someone to take his place who can actually pass the ball mate, if we want to move on players like him have to go.
20 Jan 2025 08:18:03
Good post Col mate, however I don't get the Doucoure part. If you want to run around and cover ground, at least do it with a purpose and a goal in mind, not just aimlessly.
Goals 0
Assists 0
Total shots 0
Accurate passes 18/ 22 (82%)
Chances created 0
Touches 39
Touches in opposition box 3
Successful dribbles 1/ 2 (50%)
Passes into final third 2
Accurate crosses 0/ 3 (0%)
Dispossessed 2
Tackles won 1/ 2 (50%)
Blocks 1
Clearances 0
Interceptions 0
Defensive actions 6
Recoveries 6
Dribbled past 2
Duels won 3
Duels lost 12
Ground duels won 3/ 11 (27%)
Aerial duels won 0/ 4 (0%)
Was fouled 0
Fouls committed 3.
20 Jan 2025 08:24:29
You see AD as a passenger but the mangers prefer him over other players. The game is not all about pretty passing. I do think he will move on in the summer though solely as his contract is due to expire.
20 Jan 2025 08:43:56
Didn't say it was about that. That being said, if you aren't doing "pretty passing", then at least do something. He did nothing offensively, nor defensively. Let's just applaud him for running around aimlessly for 120,000 a week.
All in favour say Aye!
20 Jan 2025 09:26:02
Exactly BN we need more than willing runners who create nothing. Dacoure is playing in a key position, one were we need a creative player. We have a player who just runs around a bit and creates nothing, and it is very apparent that after sixty odd minutes he gets slower and slower.
20 Jan 2025 09:37:43
. running around putting pressure on the other team is doing something, maybe he does that better than others in the squad, all teams try the high press, his out put maybe poor but his aggr2ssion to close down can't be questioned, if he's part of the team that gets a win well done, if we lose like most games then it's not effective, today we wont, every player played his part to get that win, that's as simple as it is, does our team need improving ofcourse we wouldn't be where we are if we didnt.
20 Jan 2025 12:55:37
The press seems to start with Doucs and DCL, which helps to keep pressure on the opposition defence. To say he does nothing is a bit of a stretch tbh. Yes, he's not the answer and will be replaced either this window or next. He's not the same player we bought, age seems to be catching him up.
We won yesterday against one of the so called big 6, albeit one that has been ravaged by injuries and not in good form, can't we all just enjoy that moment without feeling the need to criticise everything about players some don't seem to like?
20 Jan 2025 13:49:15
Ndiaye runs around and puts pressure on the team but he also offers something going forward as well. When he pressures, he normally gets rewards for it but when Doucoure does it, he leaves his shape and makes gaping holes in behind him and actually creates passing lanes for the other team.
The lad is in an important position for us and offers nothing in terms of attacking out put and then flatters to deceive defensively, all the while, earning 120k a week and being one of the clubs top earners.
The same way people heap praise on players that perform well, they are entitled to comment on players that seem to be letting the side down. Whilst the likes of Garner and Tim are out, young Armstrong has shown that he deserves his chance. It isn't moaning to point this out.
20 Jan 2025 16:00:32
BN I'm totally getting what your saying, moving forward he needs to improve or get rid, but at the moment he's all we have, dyche and Moyes now have played him, so he must be the best we have for the team at present, is he doing a great job of course he's not, we need creativity, goals which he's not that player, will he be gone at the end of the season, That will all depend on how much we have to reinvest in to the team, so we are stuck with him, as long as the team keep improving then I'm fine with it till we have better.
20 Jan 2025 16:38:49
Obviously, bn, people are entitled to post what they want on players, that wasn't the point of my reply. We beat spurs yesterday but you wouldn't think so with some of the seemingly negative posts in here. It's early days under a new manager, things will improve as we move forwards. Come the summer, some of these players won't be here but we have little choice but to utilise them now. Doucs has played a million times worse than he did yesterday, we all know he's not the answer and will soon be replaced. We have midfielders coming back from injury so, until then, he will have a part to play. The entire team played well yesterday, especially as a collective unit, so I'd rather be positive about that than stating what's been obvious for the last season. I don't think he let the side down at all yesterday by any stretch of the imagination but that's not to say he had an amazing game either. Dcl could, and should, have scored a couple more but he had a good game as well yet he is also getting called out. It just seems a bit mad to me mate, when will we ever be happy as fans? When we score with every shot on goal?
We won, I'm happy with that and the teams performance in general. We've had to put up with a lot of negativity over the last few years, let's all just be happy that the future looks brighter now that we have a manager that attacks the opposition!
20 Jan 2025 19:59:16
I agree with what you are saying BP. I am certainly not unhappy. You can still be happy with the performance but still highlight areas for improvement or concern. Moyes said it himself, he was happy with the result and performance but wasn't happy about the way we ended the game and the goals we conceded.
It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Unhappy or happy. It can be everything in between as well mate.
I said after the game it was night and day to what we suffered under Dyche. The ability on the ball, the intensity, the collective pressing, our midfield dictating the pace of the game. The only concern for me was the fact Moyes was guilty of his trademark substitutions from his previous tenure, where it often led to us drawing or losing games that we dominated. I am hopeful that he is older and wiser as a manager now and this was purely down to a mixture of tired legs and absolutely nothing to call upon on the bench.
Moyes is no mug, hopefully yesterday helped him identify further what this 11 and squad needs. For me if we get a ball playing midfielder who is mobile and a lb. Th rest will take care of itself mate. yesterday they were the only areas of weakness that I saw before we were forced into making subs. There is certainly a lot to be positive about and the best thing is that there is so much scope for improvement.
20 Jan 2025 20:15:37
Bn, i hear you pal and I do agree with the majority of what you say. I posted about Moyes and the difference a week has made earlier, definitely night and day as you say.
In all honesty mate, I'd just rather savour a good win, despite the ending being a bit nervy! We've all endured enough sh*te for numerous years now and slated the majority of the players over that time. I'm giving them a bit of a pass until DM is properly bedded in. Beto and Harrison included, to an extent anyway ?.
20 Jan 2025 20:45:35
Read the article earlier mate and commented below. Top read.
You are right mate. It was brilliant to hear Goodison in unison again tbh. I think it is fitting that Moyes is the man to see us off from Goodison and I am so glad it is not Dyche.
Hopefully we can end up as high as possible and put us in the best position for the big rebuild in the summer. A lot of players out of contract and much more breathing room with PSR.
Exciting times mate.
P. s Wolves are getting beat too!
20 Jan 2025 21:20:43
Didn't realise it had been put out as an article mate, cheers for your feedback ??
Yeah, I'm with you on that pal, we just need to continue picking up enough points and then the rebuild can commence. Not entirely 100% sure about KT but I trust DM to identify decent talent to improve this squad and give us a team worthy of playing in the new stadium. Soon be there mate.