Holmes_and_Watson

Unexpected comeback is on 3-2

Very comfy first 45 from a side clearly a step up. That's not to say there was a lack of effort in getting the goals. Some nice 1 touch passing going on, lots of options and movement. A decent mix of distribution from the back too. With the 3rd, there's a bit of control mode settling in. The visitors had a huddle on 7 mins after the second. While still leaving gaps, they also settled into not conceding more before half time. Valenciennes could seriously tire out their opponents playing this way. We'll see if that's what they choose in the second half.

Penalty makes it 3. Given for something in the box during a corner.

Tuned back in, just in time to see a thumping shot off the bar.

Not long after a Rory delap throw put on some pressure. Now a second

I'd seen Ipswich know when to press an advantage and be attacking. Yes, more risks. But with the knowledge they were getting on top of their opponents, and keeping them penned in. Lots of chances. Then in other games, know to sit in, until they got that advantage. If not, see what they could get put of the game. Again. riskier and less controlled than we were. When we clicked, our control, first time passing, movement and chances were the best in the league. When we weren't clicking, we kept to the plan, giving up the drive and momentum Ipswich could imprint on a game. One way of thinking is that our possession will result in lower risk across the season. The argument is we watched a relegation season where we had an error resulting in a goal in us every game. And not much to show that has changed. With that, when we don't click we're not offering much at the other end. Ipswich might get more reward by being willing to take those risks. They might also get punished because of it. Hard to tell.

For those doing it, all about overall control, with the inevitable mistakes being chalked up to individual error (coached out or players replaced) or balanced against the result (and across more than the game it happened in). In the Everton game, I noted a longer ball from McCarthy. It immediately stretched the play in a way that trying to pass through to the same position, wasn't happening at that time, with Everton pushing onto our defence. It gave the crowd a lift too, as we got it up the park. So when we can deliver it to one of ours, under control, or win the second ball, it's clearly useful to shape the game. We've seen us still trying to pass out in some daft defensive moments, with their attack still coming back from set pieces. Getting it up the park, driving onto opponents aren't things we see when we're in the game. Usually disjointed and too late when we do see them, as it means we're behind. Everton noticeable for practically never looking to control it. Happy to push into stretched areas without the ball. Their crowd demanded it. I can't help but connect that lack of game management with them losing games from leading positions. So passing out can work well. But knowing when it's not on or when it needs changed up seems to be an issue.

Not sure it's helping the PM stop accepting football freebies, by putting top of a league table. But here's Sky's take on it. https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-declares-gifts-and-freebies-totalling-more-than-100-000-the-highest-of-any-mp-13217287 While I'm sure they'll want to spin it as his support of football, he's an idiot if he doesn't realise everyone sees the lobbying behind those, and the other freebies he and the others can't keep themselves away from.

Just my reaction to seeing the "beyond reasonable doubt" headline, when the first thing one of the scientists involved said, was something else. I read a couple of books about containment in the 1970s. Gaffer tape doing a lot of work protecting humanity. The other take away was that animal transportation and wet markets were disasters waiting to happen. And had happened.

One of the Beeb's radio stations had one of the scientists involved. She started off saying there was still validity to looking at it coming from a lab, it's just not the conclusion they reached.

Gang

Just wait until next season, when he's undone by Russ Martin's Barcelona. 🙂

Boat

Rumour is they've decided to bring back extra time, as it's quicker. 🙂

Basking in the warmth of a win. Everton, no doubt driven by their fans, pushed up into prime RussBall territory more and more. It was good to see some passes ping around. Bree and Les often there to pick up passes, with Downes hard work freeing Aribo up a bit later on too. Both Cornet and Dibling given freedom to be direct. BBD had to do a fair bit of work to get into similar positions. AA didn't get much, but not for lack of effort or trying different things. We need a focal point for him to thrive off of, and a bit of space to pass through. Neither there for quite a bit of the game. Shout out for Lallana first half who steadied us and got us moving.

Yeeeesssssss!

Yuss

Cmon Bree

Yuss! Scored all 5.

Oh, why not the other side of the post

Yuss! Had a little uh oh at a centre half stepping up, but no probs

Yuss! BBD with an unusual run up from the left wing.

That is the pens you're asking god for there?

Yuss!

He's a forward in a central position. As legendary a position for us, as his status out injured. 🙂