Happy days. What a contrast to Tuesday. We played woeful in the first half yet went in one in front. Funny old game football. Have to say I thought Barnsley passed the ball better than us in that period, but a lot of the problems were of our own making. Lee had a poor first half and looked off his usual pace. He caused few problems and although he made runs most wouldn't have been found by Hoddle in his prime. Lambert didn't seem to find any space either and Lallana was very tightly marked. That left the midfield with no options and very quickly the defence was put under pressure and Jos and Fonte hacked and sliced clearances making things worse. I'm not sure what the solution would have been, but the move to a diamond wasn't it. I wonder if the sun in our eyes was a factor. Sounds a lame excuse to me.
As I said Adkins response was to go to a diamond. It didn't work as it just meant there was even less options with no wide midfielder. We scored from a set piece. So the formation change didn't play a part in that. Second half was very different, the diamond certainly did work (I think Barnsley countered the diamond in the first half by playing it themselves, but in the second they reverted to a flat midfield and we took them apart, but only after the second goal. Once we got it Barnsley simply went home. I'd be surprised if they have 20% of possession in that period. We totally controlled the game and the subs just strengthen us. They hit the post from a header near the end, but that was pretty much the only thing of note they did we were that dominant.
Davis nothing to do. Distribution quicker than on Tuesday.
Richardson 6 ball watched in the first half a few times but got away with it. Tried to get forward but had little impact. Not his best game, not sure the diamond suits him.
Jos 6 very poor first half, some terrible clearances, but decent second and kept Davies quiet.
Fonte 6 again some of his choices when passing out from the back were very poor. Put Guly and Richardson in trouble, but we got away with it. Pushed forward a lot in the second half so that will have caught the eye of some fans, but I was concerned with him being skinned by the sub. Was that a pen? I was right at the other end. Second half he was pretty strong though and we were never carved open so perhaps I'm being a little harsh. Just don't feel quite a confident with the pairing as I have all season, but that will pass!
Fox 9 Very very good game. Pretty much since I said he has impressed me he has impressed me. Good in the air and got stuck in too. On the ball he was his usual neat and tidy self.
Hammond 6 solid enough game, but not as good as Tuesday. First half the game seemed to pass him by a bit. Nothing to write home about positive or negatively, but perhaps the fact he didn't do much is not good?
Morgan 7 was busy and kept thing ticking over nicely. Strong and covers the ground.
Guly 7 decent work rate again, a couple of mis-controls (that had the usual grumbles) when running at pace, but really got hold of the game in the second half and looked to be enjoying himself. Started on the right, went to the head of the diamond, went up front then back into midfield. Versatile to say the least. Far too many fans on his back at the slightest opportunity. Sadly many seem to have made their minds up about him and rather than judge him on each individual game.
Lallana 9 got better and better as the game wore on.
Lambert 5 pretty poor game by his standards. Just didn't get a grip of the game like he normally does. Perhaps it was too congested, but he just didn't seem to find that space to receive those chipped balls and then bring Lee into play. If it wasn't for his reputation he could easily have been subbed earlier.
Lee 6 brilliant play to set up the second goal, but I thought he looked a lot less sharp than on Tuesday. Actually he had a bit of mare in the first half. He pulled out of a tackle, miscontrolled and ran offside a lot. None of his runs were found. Not his fault perhaps, but some we just not intelligent runs. He was just on a different wavelength to the others. Worst game for us so far I woukd say.
Cork 7 first class when he came on. Energy and movement
Connelly 7 perfect to close a game down. In the holes and tippy tappy possession stuff.
Sharp not on long but put himself about well. Almost got a chance to show his finishing prowess. Needs game time or he's going to be miles off the ball when we need him most.