Holmes_and_Watson

We missed Downes and, just as we did when we had lost JWP, and were waiting for him to return from illness. That we really perform that much better with a single player, says a lot about the system. For whatever reason, Charles hasn’t been able to push on. He has had some early moments, but tonight, it got to the point, he got subbed. That’s been the trajectory of his form for a while, to the point there were a few posts who wouldn’t have minded some defensive reinforcements in midfield in January. Rothwell and Brooks are both skilled players. I was a little surprised, considering all of the detail in Martin’s system, how quickly they made it into the starting 11. I think in the last couple of games we’ve seen the downside of some of that. We’re a bit disjointed and when we depend on that fluidity of passing moves, we quickly lose our momentum. We had a lot of misplaced passes, players not in position, clumps of players not offering passing angles even in the first half. Definitely not just Charles at fault. City were sharper, hungrier and direct when they got it. We looked tired and despite some moments from some individuals, looked a little out of ideas. Martin has a high possession stat to look back on. We relied on more individual players looking to step up than prolonged periods of passing with chances. We got more shots, and as many on target as they did. But ours come from a more patient build up, while City looked like cutting us apart on a number of occasions. It was a cracking unbeaten run. But, in a flurry of fixtures, we have to quickly dust ourselves down and keep working away. By the looks of Leeds’ form, we’re going to have to go on another decent run to keep up the pace.

Sulemana picking up an utterly pointless yellow.

Yeesssss!!!! The comeback begins! If not for this game, that for those to come! 🙂

Penalty! And the ref is saying that it's going to be worth 4 goals, if we convert it!....oh, my lip reading is rubbish...

Ooft. Taken apart now, with warning signs in the last game. use of the gap we leave down the flank, as we pushed up just a little. They also use the cut back that we love to do so much. We looked very pedestrian all round getting into position and getting abck for that one.

We do like to set ourselves up for these comebacks. Deep corner, free header and no one anywwhere near it.

Smallbone not making many decent tackles tonight, passes it back to them. Manning's awareness off and gets done, no one on front of their player to block it. Ugh!

Well, foo...

AA pass just a little ahead of Edozie, or Edozie just not quite prepared for it. That was quite an impact on the post. Hopefully can continue.

Not massively convinced with Smallbone in Charles' role. Generally, but his own first half wasn;t great. Oooooh.... should have been one up there.

Pretty early doors, I was thinking it's going to take another buit of individual skill to get ahead in this one. We certainly went on to have some of those moments. KWP took on more and more of an attacking role at times, Brooks and Edozie also looked likely. Later, we got possession with a couple of things created for AA. Elsewhere, we really miss Downes. We miss that engine and control. Smallbone has ahd a couple of good positions further up, but hasn;t really been central to anything we've been doing. Brooks adn Rothwell, despite the skill haven't had the time to get fully up to speed with the control with creation. All this isn;t hgelping Charles, who has given the ball away (and hasn;t been the only one) in a flat looking midfield, and hasn;t screened teh defence terribly well. City refused to be drawn in, were quick to press in the middle, and on occassion looked to spring that wide space. Baz did really well racing out for a clearance. It could go either way in the second half. I'd take a scrappy 1-0 win happily.

Storm

And I would walk 500 miles To take a man to a Rwandan flight OR I'm too sexy for this show Too sexy for this view Too sexy for reality

Ether

I can't imagine her standards ever going that low. 🙂

By going into the play offs, we won't know what level of non-functioning striker to get in.

Martin's going to be upset. 🙂

Pressed it. Lasted 30 seconds. 20 of which were not listening to them, but wondering if you could play X-Com on the back drop.

Phone-in fans grateful for Moyes' work. Some think it's time for a change though. Hard to imagine a club of that level dumping an eighth finishing manager just because he may have had to alter the style of play, which could look better. 🙂

Should we go up, I'd be surprised if he didn't get every opportunity. Offers a lot more than just the goals and assists, for a start.

Comfortable

If the exercises are essentially pretend, why can't they just pretend from the docks? This lack of flexible, tactical thinking shows a sad lack of imagination from Nato. Well done to our Navy for so clearly illustrating this. 🙂

Cough

Radio commentary on the Beeb a bit rubbish. Lead commentator had absolutely nothing to offer on the game. Reduced to endlessly saying the score, making woooo noises about how many it could be, and coyly (because it's the Beeb) wondering about Moyes future. No real idea of what the failings were, whether individual or tactical. No analysis whatsoever from either commentator. Edit: Oh joy. The dazzling perception of Clinton Morrison now.

Treasure