How's this for a team?
Stech; Jacobsen, Da Costa, Gabbidon, Ben Haim; Behrami, Noble, Hitzelsperger, Collison; Cole (unable to start) Dyer.
OK, it's not great but I would back that team to at least draw with the side we fielded tonight. And I haven't included McBenni!
One poster has been critical of Grant for bringing on Spector at left back, but what options were left exactly once Ilunga felt his niggle? I know all teams suffer injuries, but can any team cope with having TWELVE players ruled out all at once? To come away with a draw in the circumstances is pretty impressive especially given two of the starting 11 were forced to withdraw with injury, one was short of match fitness and two of the subs who came on were not fully fit themselves! And that was after we had played a game two days ago whilst Everton had enjoyed a whole week off.
Over the 90 minutes we covered and closed well and, the goal apart, Green was only troubled the once. That suggests the back four, even including Faubert and Spector, coped pretty well, ably supported by our midfield quartet. It wasn't pretty, in fact it was drab, but that point may be crucial in the final reckoning.
We wanted a win, especially after Fulham's victory, but with 12 players unable to start, that was probably unrealistic. I am content with the draw. But Wolves on Saturday is another matter entirely!
I would suggest getting that bloody nurse out of the treatment room for starters!
12 comments:
HF happy factor - UP 6 places!!!!
Well I was in the treatment room with the nurse mate!
I like the scoring of HF's posts... long may in continue.
seems pointless to me...
A win against Wolves and that's 7 points over the xmas/new year period, not bad. Will take a point against Everton with what was essentially a reserves team, the game against Wolves is the one that will make or break the season.
I appreciate the reality check, HF. After the earlier results by Fulham and Blackburn and then the draw by Birmingham I was looking at what might have been.
But you're right. Before the game against Fulham I would have gladly taken a draw today. The win there kind of clouded my expectations, I guess.
One item I'd like you an others to comment on is Cole starting on the bench. After two goals on Sunday one might have expected him off the bat. Friends of mine have pointed to that as another sign of Grant needing to go. While I am not a fan of AG and I wanted him out before the trip to Anfield I wonder if that's harsh. Grant probably saw fatigue in training and thought it better to save him for the end. And his botching of Sears cross was a sign of him not being Mr. Goal. Starting would not have made that shot go in.
Robbie Keane would have bagged it for sure.
01:10 hear hear sir, the voice of reason
23:22 scoring Fannos posts is a pointless exercise - as he is essentially a depressive that verges on the manic.
Agree with all you said Hf but there was a distinct difference in the amount of effort put in by Scott Parker and the rest of them. He should be an inspiration to the others, but certain members of the team I feel are just going through the motions to collect their wages
If we beat Wolves I think we will then have two teams appearing ready for the drop Wolves and their neighbours WBA the third place is going to be a tremendous battle between six club, which will make a very interesting second half to the season.
I am confident that with new signings and good players coming back from injury we will survive. Somewhat disappointed to read that no players will be going in January, surely this must be because nobody wants them.
To be fair, that is Parker's role in the team John. Boa and Sears were up and down the pitch too but were less likely to pop up all over the place because of positional restraints. Kovac looks less active but his job is to hold. I don't think you could complain about the effort of Obinna, Piquionne, Cole, Tomkins, Upson or Spector either. Piquionne, in particular, ran the channels, mostly down the left, superbly. He chased and chased long balls into the channel - just two days after the Fulham victory. Everton were fresher and are a stronger team, but we had the lion's share of the possession first half and closed them out second half. You don't do that if only one guy is trying. I am losing all patience with Faubert, however.
07:37 hear hear Essex
you are losing patience with Faubert - so what's your point. To be fair the pressure is really off us now and Sears who you don't rate won the day.
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