13-01-2019, 17:13
IMO, Moore got it wrong up top.
Gayle is being completely wasted on the left hand side of a front 3. He's an out and out striker and the 1 time he did get into the box, he scored. Unfortunately he spent too much time tip tapping about on the wing and doing defensive duties. Then he brings down the Norwich man in the corner, when he's going nowhere, which leads to their goal. It's hard to blame him though, as that's not his game being that deep.
Robson Kanu was having a poor game and IMO should've been hauled off for Hoolahan who could've then sat behind Rodriguez and Gayle as a front 2. Given the fact Hoolahan was head and shoulders above everyone else last week - combined with Kanu having a poor game - it surprised me that Hoolahan never came on. It seems Moore is completely inflexible with changing tactics and shape.
The other worry for me is the lack of defensive awareness throughout the team. Time and time again, Barry had to get us out of the sh*te with last ditch tackles. He was my man of the match by a mile yesterday. But apart from him and Livermore, who we are without for a while, nobody seems to recognise when we have to stop an attack at source.
On the plus side, Holgate was head and shoulders about Adaraboiyo at right back. It made a huge difference actually having a full back on that side who can play and cross and went some way to compensating for the lack of Phillips and Barnes.
Harper looked good on the ball and can play, but will need to improve his defensive side of the game if he's to be an effective box to box midfielder at the top level. Was impressed with his passing and energy though. Good debut.
Gayle is being completely wasted on the left hand side of a front 3. He's an out and out striker and the 1 time he did get into the box, he scored. Unfortunately he spent too much time tip tapping about on the wing and doing defensive duties. Then he brings down the Norwich man in the corner, when he's going nowhere, which leads to their goal. It's hard to blame him though, as that's not his game being that deep.
Robson Kanu was having a poor game and IMO should've been hauled off for Hoolahan who could've then sat behind Rodriguez and Gayle as a front 2. Given the fact Hoolahan was head and shoulders above everyone else last week - combined with Kanu having a poor game - it surprised me that Hoolahan never came on. It seems Moore is completely inflexible with changing tactics and shape.
The other worry for me is the lack of defensive awareness throughout the team. Time and time again, Barry had to get us out of the sh*te with last ditch tackles. He was my man of the match by a mile yesterday. But apart from him and Livermore, who we are without for a while, nobody seems to recognise when we have to stop an attack at source.
On the plus side, Holgate was head and shoulders about Adaraboiyo at right back. It made a huge difference actually having a full back on that side who can play and cross and went some way to compensating for the lack of Phillips and Barnes.
Harper looked good on the ball and can play, but will need to improve his defensive side of the game if he's to be an effective box to box midfielder at the top level. Was impressed with his passing and energy though. Good debut.