30-09-2017, 22:49
(This post was last modified: 30-09-2017, 22:50 by Slick_Footwork.)
The biggest worry for me is that despite spending a fair whack of money during the summer, we don't look a better side than last season. It's almost like we just signed individuals rather than players who we could fit into the system.
The one thing we were always good at was defending balls into the box. Today we had to defend for our lives on one final ball, and one of their best 2 in air (Richarlison and Deeney won everything in the air all game) was left completely unmarked.
As far as game management goes, how we can get into a situation where they are catching us on the break in the 93rd minute is beyond me. Not sure what Barry was doing getting caught in possession when a simple pass was staring him in the face. That said, I'm not sure why we signed a 36 year old when it was clear last season we needed younger legs.
Grzegorz Krychowiak and Kieran Gibbs were our best 2 players on the day and look like good acquisitions. However, the other signings aren't quite living up to their billing. Hegazi looks like a good squad player for the money, but is no Gareth McAuley. Barry and Rodriguez had good debuts but don't really seem to have found their roles in the team. Rodriguez is probably frustrated at our style of play, but shooting every time you get the ball when you could lay players in isn't the answer.
I think what is really disappointing when the 2nd half is damage limitation but we fail to see it through. Makes you think we might as well of kept having a go.
As for Watford though, I think they might surprise a few this year. While we were poor, I think we also have to hold our hands up and say they've got a very decent side now.
The one thing we were always good at was defending balls into the box. Today we had to defend for our lives on one final ball, and one of their best 2 in air (Richarlison and Deeney won everything in the air all game) was left completely unmarked.
As far as game management goes, how we can get into a situation where they are catching us on the break in the 93rd minute is beyond me. Not sure what Barry was doing getting caught in possession when a simple pass was staring him in the face. That said, I'm not sure why we signed a 36 year old when it was clear last season we needed younger legs.
Grzegorz Krychowiak and Kieran Gibbs were our best 2 players on the day and look like good acquisitions. However, the other signings aren't quite living up to their billing. Hegazi looks like a good squad player for the money, but is no Gareth McAuley. Barry and Rodriguez had good debuts but don't really seem to have found their roles in the team. Rodriguez is probably frustrated at our style of play, but shooting every time you get the ball when you could lay players in isn't the answer.
I think what is really disappointing when the 2nd half is damage limitation but we fail to see it through. Makes you think we might as well of kept having a go.
As for Watford though, I think they might surprise a few this year. While we were poor, I think we also have to hold our hands up and say they've got a very decent side now.