Just back from the gig. Was basically starting the van up as the final whistle went. Fucking stupid time for a kick off.
Overall we didn't crumble, capitulate or disgrace ourselves, our brilliant supporters, or the club. For large parts of that game one of the best sides in Europe or even the world, stuffed with really fucking great players struggled to break us down and the levels of concentration and commitment were possibly the best I have seen us have for some time. Whether it was Wembley itself, the occasion of the late stages of the FA Cup or just the will not to be bummed like Burnley (there you go Fallowfield, you can have that) or even all three in parts, I thing the players today did us proud. Sure, there were errors, but faced with players who will destroy you through those errors we have learned valuable lessons today and ones which spell out where a PL season is in terms of what we need and what system we need to play to survive.
From the off we could have shocked them. NDaiye with a sitter and later on we went close again and later still in the first half broke cleanly only for the usually magical NDaiye to lose control. But elsewhere the midfield held firm and the defence were pretty fucking excellent to be honest. Football Robot Haaland was pretty anonymous (Arsenal, take note) and Grealish was smudged out by the attentive Baldock. Okay, Citeh kept players like KDB benched because they'll need him on Wednesday but face it Blades, that aint much to carp about. We were eventually undone by naivety which was a shame. City are deserved winners - they are better than us and the scoreline proved it, but we didn't give in without characteristic battling.
Foderingham 7.5/10: Couple of good stops in the game but no chance with any of Mharez's hat-trick. Every goal was a lesson in finishing.
Baldock 8/10: Snuffed much of what Grealish and Palmer had to offer out completely. Stayed on his feet and didn't over commit and made both players look backwards rather than take him on
Anel 7.5/10: Stuck like glue to Haaland which is what his brief should have been
Egan 7/10: Not a bad game at all save for his daft hesitancy when Mharez ran through. With Robbo facing the other way and expecting the layoff, it was Egan's job to deck Mharez and buy the yellow card
JLT 7.5/10: Typical blood and guts performance with some errors but overall can't fault him after that
Lowe 5/10: Mharez was his man and in a game like this, Lowe needed to firstly not be so dumb as to give up possession to him but secondly not allow him so much room out wide or to score his third. Errors that cost us.
Berge 7.5/10: First half put himself about and got past players but less so in the second as we fell behind
Norwood 7.5/10: Not a bad game for him, save for some iffy headers and passes. Did his best with Gundughan, but clearly the City player was better. See also SIlva.
Fleck 7/10: Surprisingly good and energetic in the first half but faded in the second. The gulf in class became increasingly evident
NDaiye 7/10: They were 'aware' of him raher than feared him although massive chance early doors to make our mark was missed. No chances after that which said it all really.
Jebbison 5/10: Poor challenge in the box and really quite ineffective
McBurnie 5/10: Nothing to offer. Totally overshadowed
Sharp 5/10 Came on for Fleck as we switched to 3-4-3 and tried ... but poor old fella is slowing up
Basham 7/10: Another old feller but this bloke's footballing nous is second to none
Bogle 5/10: On to rest Baldock and just make up numbers
Coullibally 5/10 Ditto above but a bit weak and naïve at times
HJ&SMcC 10/10: For getting us this far and sticking out a team which did us proud. Now, let's got get the promotion we deserve.
pommpey
Good report - think I've been more harsh - did try and consider the oppo but generally agreed. Lowe and Jebbo weak links. Berge, Egan and Baldock best 3. Anel ok too. I actually thought Norwood faded badly as did Fleck so knocked of a mark from yours.
Generally agree with much of what you said.
It shows the reality is we have about 4 or 5 starters really and the rest needs to be upgraded for us to have a chance of staying up. Maybe RND gets fit and we push to 5 or 6.
It showed Baldock, Egan, Anel and Ndiaye can probably be fine at the higher level.
We need a GK, LCB, 2 CM's and 1 CF to start.
Likes of Norwood, Wes, McBurnie, Robinson, Bogle maybe even Jebbo/Osula (but think those two go out on loan) ok as bench type options but others like Lowe, Coulibaly (granted limited time but not stood out even in this) and sadly even Sharp/Bash not really up to it at top level anymore. Brewster I am not convinced will be fit consistently and also needs a loan and game time - he was way off Premier LEague standard before.
I'd expect Fleck, Stevens and Osborn to move on too.
So you are looking at 5 starters - 6 if RND not back/not quite up to it and probably about 5 or 6 others for the bench/back up. 10-12 players is not too indfferent to Forest is it not but we dont have the monety to do this if you think 10 million for even a squad type player (we paid 3 or 4 for Osborn and that was 4 years ago and he was/is nowhere near the standard).
Not sure where we find 150 million+ from to sign them when a fair chunk will be used to pay off existing debts?
Scary stuff but also we need to ensure financially we keep stable even if we do come flying back down. I'd rather use the money on a new academy/training ground and the scouting infastructure (like Brentford/Brighton model) to improve our recruitment model. Sounds negative but long term will help. Signing another Brewster, Berge and Ramsdale is not going to happen. We won't be able to afford likes of Gykores, Henderson etc despite people saying these are possibles. We might get a few from other Champ clubs that we can pick off but won't be stand outs - outside of Burnley - how many really good players are better at this level than the ones I am saying are not good enough - Robbo, Norwood, McBurnie etc? That's the reality. We need to sign young and up and comers that can improve.
