pommpey
THE FUTURE ... AS IT USED TO BE
- Banned
- #1
Pretty typical swings and roundabouts display for me. If anything it reinforced my assertion that Chris Basham is great as a defender, but far more valuable to the team in midfield. But there were a lot more confirming aspects about that game that were minuses as well.
Overall though, the 5-3-2 continued to be shakey throughout the first phase of the game. I don't get how Wilder doesn't see that oppositions have every solution to this formation now. Pack the midfield and stifle the wingplay. Force us to go direct, because we have no method of feeding the channels or moving the ball up the pitch through the middle. If anyone thinks that last season's midfield three of Fleck - Norwood - Lundstram has anything to give SUFC now I beg for your working out. We looked far more capable when Lundstram the Liability was redded and Wilder went firstly 3-4-2 then in the second half 4-4-1. Get that - with ten men, our game improved. Odd, isn't it? Fleck's substitution and Lundstram's tackle came from us being totally overrun in the middle of the park, and us retreating into that 'defend, expecting them to score' mentality we have seen so much of this (and at the end of the last) season. Again, with the three in the middle, the gap between McGoldrick and then Brewster is vast and there's no pressure for their defence and possession is just weakly given away. That is how we are playing and that is why we are losing. Again, Brighton concentrated a lot on the Stevens-Robinson axis and very much nearly succeeded, save for some great work from Basham. When Fleck went off and we gained Burke, the effect was instant, and the free kick Didsy hit was the sort we've wanted all season. At least he made their keeper work for the save. Burke again alters our aspect entirely and must start against Everton. Brewster also needs to take note from Burke as to what tireless, relentless and 100% determination looks like. We got our well deserved goal playing 4-4-1 and Burke's industry was instrumental in it.
Okay, we made the big fat mistake late on with Osborn giving a pointless free kick away and tell me - is there any Blades fan who watched them line up for that who didn't believe it would be a turning point for us? It was writ large in stone that that foul would give them the opportunity to equalise, which they did. Billy Smart's defending again which screams for the composure and assurance of Jack in that penalty area which doesn't result in the prolific Welbeck to do what he has always done with a loose ball from four yards. Had that fallen to Burke however, it would have cleared the fucking Amex Stand and landed down on the seafront.
Ramsdale 6.5/10: Thought he pulled off some decent saves including the two low down. He is still nervy and a bit uncoordinated though.
Baldock 6/10: Had a torrid time with his flank even as a five across the back. Came narrower at four but still did well, and his last gasp stop at the end was very pleasing
Basham 8/10: Had a great game, better in midfield of course. Found myself saying, 'Well in Bash!' so many times as he did his usual thing of getting in the way of much of what Brighton tried to do, be it high, medium or low. And - did his usual deft flicks and take throughs which simply baffles oppositions. Christ knows what we'll do if he's suspended or injured.
Egan 7/10: Again, spreading himself across to cover for Robinson at times (especially at 4-4-1) but still, this was a better game for him. A lot of what they put into the box in his zone was rebuffed and he did well to frustrate the threat of Maupay and Connolly
Robinson 5/10: A better game from him but far from what we need in that position. He still plays like a robot, he's very one-speed and at times over-methodical and predictable. Attackers can read him easily, which is why he isn't really PL standard
Stevens 6/10: Another better game for him, even if at times flat footed and exposed. I don't know if his collapse in form is two parts confidence and one part 'no Jack O'Connell' on his right hand side. They tried a few excursions up that flank but it's a bit broken.
Lundstram 1/10: Shit tackle. Up to then had compounded our efforts playing his usual 'play where I want, me' crap. Suspended now and needs shipping out in January.
Ampadu 6.5/10: A lot better game from him. Seemed to want to get stuck in early and 'impose', which is something we haven't seen recently without Lundstram putting his foot through the ball and getting redded.
Fleck 2/10: Now looks totally lost and a shadow of his former self. Another one for shipping out, maybe? He's never going to get any better and will never be the player we once knew andloved at LCM
McGoldrick 7.5/10: His usual cavalier self, swashbuckling andcreating nuisance as much as his tired old legs will take him, as well as digging the ball out and carrying it. He's a number ten, Wilder. Play him there, FFS
Brewster 4/10: I am starting to doubt this last is anywhere near at the standard for PL. Liverpool have had our kecks down
Burke 6.5/10: Tremendous effort but loses a whole point and a half for his missed effort. That shot, back of the net, would have killed Brighton dead and we then have four points and a win. Just think about what that would have done to the team and the fanbase (and Wilder) into this short - in many cases (including mine in Tier 4) miserable Christmas Break?
Bogle 7/10: Really impressive debut and a wonderfully well taken goal.
Osborn 5/10: Put in a good shift and was a decent axis for the long ball out to Burke. But that foul? Lose a whole point because of what it cost us. It was pointless
Wilder 5/10: Gets that for starting with that 5-3-2 and ending with the 4-4-1, and something of a team stripped of all his major signings, looking broadly capable and digging out blind to get the point. He needs to think very, very carefully how he lines us up against Everton, because they have a midfield very agile and very skilful which will will bulldoze a three man outfit flat and force us into that predictable, beatable and embattled five with the three midfielders watching them pass it round and through them and the front two sat playing draughts with their central defenders.
For next time
-------------------------------------------------------Ramsdale-----------------------------------------------------
----------Baldock---------------------Egan--------------------------------Robinson-----------------Stevens------
---------------------------------Basham--------------------------------------Ampadu------------------------------
-----Bogle--------------------------------------------McGoldrick----------------------------------------Osborn---
----------------------------------------------------------Burke-------------------------------------------------------
Note no:
Mousset (£11m)
McBurnie (£20m)
Berge (£23m)
Brewster (£26m)
Lowe (£4m)
and no
Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram either
This is the way ...
pommpey
Overall though, the 5-3-2 continued to be shakey throughout the first phase of the game. I don't get how Wilder doesn't see that oppositions have every solution to this formation now. Pack the midfield and stifle the wingplay. Force us to go direct, because we have no method of feeding the channels or moving the ball up the pitch through the middle. If anyone thinks that last season's midfield three of Fleck - Norwood - Lundstram has anything to give SUFC now I beg for your working out. We looked far more capable when Lundstram the Liability was redded and Wilder went firstly 3-4-2 then in the second half 4-4-1. Get that - with ten men, our game improved. Odd, isn't it? Fleck's substitution and Lundstram's tackle came from us being totally overrun in the middle of the park, and us retreating into that 'defend, expecting them to score' mentality we have seen so much of this (and at the end of the last) season. Again, with the three in the middle, the gap between McGoldrick and then Brewster is vast and there's no pressure for their defence and possession is just weakly given away. That is how we are playing and that is why we are losing. Again, Brighton concentrated a lot on the Stevens-Robinson axis and very much nearly succeeded, save for some great work from Basham. When Fleck went off and we gained Burke, the effect was instant, and the free kick Didsy hit was the sort we've wanted all season. At least he made their keeper work for the save. Burke again alters our aspect entirely and must start against Everton. Brewster also needs to take note from Burke as to what tireless, relentless and 100% determination looks like. We got our well deserved goal playing 4-4-1 and Burke's industry was instrumental in it.
Okay, we made the big fat mistake late on with Osborn giving a pointless free kick away and tell me - is there any Blades fan who watched them line up for that who didn't believe it would be a turning point for us? It was writ large in stone that that foul would give them the opportunity to equalise, which they did. Billy Smart's defending again which screams for the composure and assurance of Jack in that penalty area which doesn't result in the prolific Welbeck to do what he has always done with a loose ball from four yards. Had that fallen to Burke however, it would have cleared the fucking Amex Stand and landed down on the seafront.
Ramsdale 6.5/10: Thought he pulled off some decent saves including the two low down. He is still nervy and a bit uncoordinated though.
Baldock 6/10: Had a torrid time with his flank even as a five across the back. Came narrower at four but still did well, and his last gasp stop at the end was very pleasing
Basham 8/10: Had a great game, better in midfield of course. Found myself saying, 'Well in Bash!' so many times as he did his usual thing of getting in the way of much of what Brighton tried to do, be it high, medium or low. And - did his usual deft flicks and take throughs which simply baffles oppositions. Christ knows what we'll do if he's suspended or injured.
Egan 7/10: Again, spreading himself across to cover for Robinson at times (especially at 4-4-1) but still, this was a better game for him. A lot of what they put into the box in his zone was rebuffed and he did well to frustrate the threat of Maupay and Connolly
Robinson 5/10: A better game from him but far from what we need in that position. He still plays like a robot, he's very one-speed and at times over-methodical and predictable. Attackers can read him easily, which is why he isn't really PL standard
Stevens 6/10: Another better game for him, even if at times flat footed and exposed. I don't know if his collapse in form is two parts confidence and one part 'no Jack O'Connell' on his right hand side. They tried a few excursions up that flank but it's a bit broken.
Lundstram 1/10: Shit tackle. Up to then had compounded our efforts playing his usual 'play where I want, me' crap. Suspended now and needs shipping out in January.
Ampadu 6.5/10: A lot better game from him. Seemed to want to get stuck in early and 'impose', which is something we haven't seen recently without Lundstram putting his foot through the ball and getting redded.
Fleck 2/10: Now looks totally lost and a shadow of his former self. Another one for shipping out, maybe? He's never going to get any better and will never be the player we once knew andloved at LCM
McGoldrick 7.5/10: His usual cavalier self, swashbuckling andcreating nuisance as much as his tired old legs will take him, as well as digging the ball out and carrying it. He's a number ten, Wilder. Play him there, FFS
Brewster 4/10: I am starting to doubt this last is anywhere near at the standard for PL. Liverpool have had our kecks down
Burke 6.5/10: Tremendous effort but loses a whole point and a half for his missed effort. That shot, back of the net, would have killed Brighton dead and we then have four points and a win. Just think about what that would have done to the team and the fanbase (and Wilder) into this short - in many cases (including mine in Tier 4) miserable Christmas Break?
Bogle 7/10: Really impressive debut and a wonderfully well taken goal.
Osborn 5/10: Put in a good shift and was a decent axis for the long ball out to Burke. But that foul? Lose a whole point because of what it cost us. It was pointless
Wilder 5/10: Gets that for starting with that 5-3-2 and ending with the 4-4-1, and something of a team stripped of all his major signings, looking broadly capable and digging out blind to get the point. He needs to think very, very carefully how he lines us up against Everton, because they have a midfield very agile and very skilful which will will bulldoze a three man outfit flat and force us into that predictable, beatable and embattled five with the three midfielders watching them pass it round and through them and the front two sat playing draughts with their central defenders.
For next time
-------------------------------------------------------Ramsdale-----------------------------------------------------
----------Baldock---------------------Egan--------------------------------Robinson-----------------Stevens------
---------------------------------Basham--------------------------------------Ampadu------------------------------
-----Bogle--------------------------------------------McGoldrick----------------------------------------Osborn---
----------------------------------------------------------Burke-------------------------------------------------------
Note no:
Mousset (£11m)
McBurnie (£20m)
Berge (£23m)
Brewster (£26m)
Lowe (£4m)
and no
Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram either
This is the way ...
pommpey
