Not much to say about that first half really. Neither keeper has been seriously tested but if Cole was Eduardo by nature, we would have had a penalty. Quite why he didn't go to ground even though he was fouled in the box, only Carlton will know. The run leading to the tackle was brilliant, the shot that followed it threatened the corner floag more than the goal. There is Carlton in a nutshell. Big, strong, skilful, as honest as the day is long but a poor finisher.
Poor Carlton though, for too much of that half he has been playing Blackburn's back 4 on his own. He is far too isolated with the present set up and personnel. Jimenez looks tricky but drops too deep and Stanislas is too wide to offer a goal threat from a Carlton knock on / knock down. In consequence, Carlton is holding up the ball looking for support or trying to run through a wall of defenders without support. Zola has got to persuade Jimenez to play higher up the field and encourage Collison and Noble to get up in support quicker.
At the back we have looked secure. Upson and Collins have been strong and Spector and Faubert have coped with their defensive duties. I do believe Faubert has actually taken on and beaten a defender in the box before pulling the ball back from the byline. More of that Julian and you might yet make it in the Prem! Poor distibution from Green put us in trouble once and his miscontrol gave an unnecessary long throw chance. Perhaps he is nevous because Clemence is there.
Biggest worry is seeing 0'Neill and Moyes in the stand. Bid coming in for Upson, Parker or Collins? Or all three between them?
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