I didn’t have many fingernails left at the full-time whistle on Sunday, but was quite relieved to see us come away with a point in a game we could have very easily lost on another day.
After seeing it live and watching it back since then (yes I’m sad aren’t I), I thought I’d share 10 thoughts and observations from what I made of it all after being keen enough to watch it twice:
1. What’s happened to Matt Ritchie’s delivery?
I couldn’t be overly critical of him from this one as his energy and persistence helped us out defensively against Zaha/Van Aanholt, but I watched so many of his crosses hit the first man or go sailing over. He lacks pace so we rely on him to deliver technically – and this is something he did with ease on a regular basis last season. Hopefully this improves given how key it will be to feeding Slimani.
2. Diame’s like a new player
A few months ago he was struggling to get around the pitch, make 5 yard passes or even control the ball. Now he’s pinging it about like an on-song Shelvey, tackling like a in-form Tiote and seems to be everywhere in the middle of the park. A deserved goal, but in the bigger picture it’s great to see him using his power, playing with confidence and getting around the pitch much better. He looks fitter, stronger and sharper in everything he does at the minute. Long may it last!
3. Darlow worries me
He did make some crucial saves, so his overall contribution was largely positive, but his hesitancy on crosses, his lack of communication (noticed this twice with Lascelles and Dummett taking charge after he failed to shout) and his woeful kicking is a worry going forward. One minute he’s the MOTM (Stoke away), but the next he’s capable of costing us (Everton home) and that concerns me when the slightest error could be so so costly at this stage.
4. Dummett’s return a blessing
I got bashed by a few anti-Dummett fans when saying this on Twitter, but the lad is our best left-back for me and a solid defender. He’s put in several strong displays since returning and despite his limitations going forward, we’re better defensively when he’s around. He kept Townsend quiet and covered well for the CB’s superbly on occasion.
5. Shelvey – ran it first half, disappeared in the second
When I watched the game back I noticed how often he was picking it up for us and instigating attacks. This was all when we had possession and a foothold in the game, but when the tables turned in the second half I saw so little from him. He became wasteful, was slow to get back and didn’t do enough to protect the back 4. Is this to do with fitness or is he simply just one of those players whose so much better with the ball then without? I’d guess the latter.
6. Kenedy looks a class act
I expected him to be raw, naive and quite frustrating but he’s been anything but so far. He looked a cut above the rest at times and gives us something different down the left – with Dummett’s reliable defensive work giving him some freedom to do damage. Could and should have scored and wasted a big chance in the 2nd to put Perez in, but I’m very pleased with him so far.
7. Where’s Jacob Murphy? He deserves minutes over Atsu on current form
Atsu did little when he came on and was poor all night against Burnley, yet we have Jacob Murphy (a player nominated for January POTM) sitting on the bench. Rafa will be watching them in training and will know their fitness levels and frame of mind, but I’m disappointed that he’s barely been used in the last two games. After some positive performances and a goal and an assist in away games at City and Stoke, I had hoped Rafa would give him a run of games.
8. Gayle and Perez didn’t offer nearly enough
In their defence, there was too many hopeful long balls put up to them at times in the second half, but their touch was often off, they were too easily dispossessed and they were giving the Palace CB’s an easy time of it. Gayle barely got a kick, whilst Perez was so wasteful and soft in the second half despite two decent efforts on goal and a superb through ball to Kenedy in the first half.
9. Yedlin just about survived the Zaha onslaught
Wilfried Zaha is one of the best players outside the top 6 and is a player few full-backs can handle on his day, however I thought DeAndre Yedlin coped quite well in the circumstances. I’ve been critical of his ability to actually defend of late, however he competed well with him and wasn’t being beaten at ease like so many are when he squares you up down that left wing.
10. That’s a game we would’ve lost in previous relegation seasons
And finally, although the second half was hard to watch, the commitment and fight in the team was there to see – and that’s a big plus moving forward. Defenders throwing their bodies on the line on countless occasions to block goal bound shots and preserve our point. It’ll take more than effort to stay up this season, but this sort of attitude and spirit is something we’ve not always had in previous relegation scraps.
Got anything you want to get off your chest from Sunday’s game? Share your views in the comments below!
Thanks Olly.
You’re a glutton for punishment mate watching that again.
Good observation and I tend to agree on all but Yedlin who I feel is not a defender. He may of just about coped but he did struggle and not for the first time. He is a winger not a defender imo, great forward play , **** at the back.
On Diame, he is so improved now he’s further back, was ineffective further forward before. And yes he is very reminiscent of Tiote I agree. Let’s hope his groin is ok as was limping when Rafa subbed him.
Darlow was really unlucky with the pen, got his hands to it only to see it hit the upright and bounce in, such is his luck last two games. Shorter hair and longer fingers required me thinks, maybe a little less hair gel v Burnley would of stopped it sliding in off his head. I jest, but in fairness he’s not a bad keeper, his distribution could be better and he needs to be more vocal and not leave Lascelles to do the calls.
Kenedy seems to burn out a bit quick but I put that down to lack of match time, hence why he got subbed. He looks a fine player though, hope it continues.
Gayle is a busted flush of late, he looks short on confidence and lacks his former pace, think his hammy’s are playing on his mind. Or maybe he knows he’s not wanted long term so has lost faith in himself or the Toon ?. Right now I would put Perez and Joselu ahead of him until Slimani is ready.
Great to see Dummett getting some recognition too, he’s never been as bad as some said defensively, yes he doesn’t get forward like Yeddy but he does his job, defender, well.
And you are right Olly , this team are fighting and you cannot ask for more given our circumstances. They just need to keep their level of concentration and nerve to the full 90 plus, we’ve lost/ drawn, from too many winning positions which is mainly down to fear and lack of experience with a lot of them.
If Slimani can get fit and start grabbing a couple we could see confidence rise and lose some of those jitters.
kimtoon(Quote)
You know, we might be ok, lot’s of our relegation rivals are losing players to injuries or in a real slump and it could just be what tips the balance.
kimtoon(Quote)
Our fixtures aren’t good, Kim. Our home form is terrible and we have to play Huddersfield, WBA and Southampton at home. While having to play the likes of Liverpool and Spurs away… I think our season will come down to games against WBA, Huddersfield at home and the likes of Everton and Leicester who will have very little to play for.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, I agree, it’s so tight, bravery needed now, let’s hope it’s in them and us.
kimtoon(Quote)
Our biggest problem has been missing chances. That’s why Slimani is so important.
Stuart79(Quote)
I would tend to agree with you re. Yedlin mate. As I said, I’ve been critical of him recently, I just thought he did ok on Sunday so deserved credit. Thought he’d get ruined!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly it’s fair to say Zaha was a big test for him.
kimtoon(Quote)
Icedog: what did you hear about Colback? I think part of it was that we had arranged a loan for him in the summer and he refused to go. Part of Rafa’s remit was to get players off the books and Colback’s refusal to leave meant he couldn’t bring in another player. It is slightly petty because NUFC gave Colback the contract and he had said he wanted to fight for his place.
I think you said they had a spat. What was it about.
I also agree with Sham from the Colback article that Colback was a liability. We said it many time that his niggly fouls around our box caused us many a goal and also he stopped the fast breaks. He was also supposed to be fullback cover and the one time he played there he was abysmal.
It was one of those things again that Colback had his cart marked in the Championship by the Refs. They watch games on TV I am sure and must have noticed his way of doing his defensive duties was to leave his foot in or clip heels. Maybe it was just that he is clumsy but it happened every game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC from what I heard it was about a practice game reds v blues sort of thing Colback wasn’t playing but one player got a injury Rafa asked him to fill in to carry on the game,don’t know if he was in the huff but refused to step in hence Rafa telling him to go play with the youth team and stay there,imo I don’t blame Rafa one bit
Icedog(Quote)
Eric
I was not aware of any loan deal for Colback in the Summer.
I do know that he is on a £70k a week contract at NUFC until June 2019 and Rafa wanted him out but no club seemed willing to take on his wage.
I can not really believe that he refused to take part in a practice match as surely that would have resulted in disciplinary action by the club which may have included a financial penalty.
To be honest if I was in his position and told to go and train with the kids for £70k a week I would just go – like he did- and take the money until my agent found me a new club and without any loss in salary, even if that meant NUFC paying any shortfall in salary.
sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick believe what you will there a hell of lot of players at clubs that don’t do what the managers want from time to time,if you think it doesn’t your living in the past,most of these guys are millionaires,if it’s not making public there’s nothing for the club to fine and don’t worry their agents would soon make it public,players hold the ace hand these days
Icedog(Quote)
“Players hold the ace hand these days” – they certainly do!
sidekick(Quote)
I think it was Wolves. Who just happen to be top and if he had a good season they would probably have made his move permanent. There is no way he is on 70k. I have seen twitter quotes of that but I have also seen 35k. No way would the Fatman would make Colback our highest paid player. Remember he signed before Wijnaldum, Shelvey, Mitro, Townsend etc.
He was probably on 15k at the Mackems as he was more a utility play. I can see us doubling his wages because he was a free but not 70k. Some of this social media **** takes on a life of its own and becomes an accepted fact, when, in fact, it is bollocks.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ll give you another example of how social media rubbish turns to “fact”. Spurs agreed to sign Sissoko for 30 million in instalments over 5 years. This meant that NUFC would get 6 mil a year. Someone on a Spurs blog said Spurs were able to stop the payments if Sissoko was subsequently transferred. Again, absolute bollocks but went Spurs social media and became accepted. This is not how transfers work and just because an idiot said it why would it be true? Especially since Sissoko was on his way to Everton when Spurs stepped in, meaning we had 2 offers for him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The same guy that told me about the carry on over training guessed from what he heard at the ground that he was on 34,500 double what he was on at scum,there was a signing on fee but didn’t have clue what it was as agents spill lies
Icedog(Quote)
Looked up Ginger Jack on his wikipedia page and Hull nd Wolves were interested in a loan last summer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice: the Mackems were paying him double what he was worth 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
I have had a search on several sites re NUFC players wages and you are right . They all show Colback on £35k .
sidekick(Quote)
How bloody right you are
Icedog(Quote)
W/HAm sign Evra on a free
Icedog(Quote)
It is not just the social media either, it is the tabloids sensationalizing everything. An example of this is Sanchez who The Mail say is on 600k a week. Not quite, but if they repeat it often enough it will become accepted fact. Here’s the breakdown:
350k wages. Still obscene, but not 600k.
100k for keeping his own image rights. Total fabrication. Rooney’s were supposedly 100k as well and he was one of the 5 most recognizable footballers on the planet. Sanchez is certainly not.
150k bonuses. Yes, but for what? Team bonuses. Bonuses for winning the Champions League and Premier League, for appearances, for goals. There is no way he qualifies for these every year, and probably not even half. But The Mail put it in and it becomes “fact”.
Add the “fact” that they really have no inside knowledge of his contract and they just make a best guess and you can see why the Colback myth of 70k a week became accepted to some people on social media.
Again, it is stupid amounts of money but they just love to inflate the numbers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly – I get your point about Yedlin. Better defenders have struggled worst to cope with Zaha this season.
I think the fact he only had 45mins of him helped coz it was McArthur he had in the first half.
I think Yedlins pace was a big help to him & on a few occasions it was row Z defending. I have no problem with that though coz if Zaha nicks it off you and gets a run he’s a nightmare. Get shot and re-group if it’s a counter attack.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – that’ll be another HUGE wage then. Zaballeta on the right & Evra on the left – I bet some of these young wingers in the league just can’t wait to play WH. I reckon the likes of Zaha and Sane might fancy their chances over 90mins.
Sharpy17(Quote)
at 36 he will struggle against pace
icedog(Quote)
Don’t get how West ham say they are skint, Evra will be on a pretty penny .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – yeah apparently Everton were interested too, so with competition for his signature you can be sure he’s demanding a canny sign on fee as well – free agents are never free ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
pleased to say i think W/H will go down maybe they can use some of the porn money to ease the pain
icedog(Quote)
Ice – I wish, can’t stand them!!. But I think with the quality they have up front will see them right ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
I can’t decide what my preferred formation & starting 11 should be?! ?
I initially thought of Kenedy as a winger back, but having seen him in the last 2 games, I now think he offers more offensively to be worrying about defending.
So, with what we have now whats best? – 3-4-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
433 mate! However never underestimate Rafa’s ability to pick a weird 11 and change 4 or 5 players a week. Nothing like a settled team developed. Seems like rotation is the only game in town.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – that’s what I keep coming back to I think mate.
I think personally I’d go with Shelvey, Diame, Merino in midfield with Kenedy, Slimani and id go with Murphy on the right and side – but I don’t see Rafa doing that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
No way I would play Shelvey the guy is a liability and against the bigger teams that show him up his heed goes, he nearly gave a penalty away again against Palace
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – to be fair Clark was doing the same thing with a different player on the same set piece. Further to that, it happens nearly every set piece in every game in every league.
Shelvey has burn his bridges with me too to be honest & i’d be happy to see the back of him in the summer. But he ran the show in the first half against Palace & he can be an asset in our quest to avoid relegation – if his mind is right.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Manu will slaughter us on sunday. Another game I’m not looking forward too. Shelvey will be uniteds 13th man on the pitch with the ref being the 12th.
Stem(Quote)
If we lose 1-0 fans will see it as a win thats how far we have sunk under Ashley.
Stem(Quote)
If we had a striker in the summer we would be safe. Why it took so long in January is a disgrace on Ashleys part. Hoping cheap cast offs like Joselu will turn things around so the owner doesn’t have to put his hand in his pocket. Great strategy Ashley, relegation deserves to be your prize
Stem(Quote)
I think we will start with 4 at the back but may switch to 3 centre halfs mid-game. I sort of have a problem with Rafa’s in-game management because:
1. Some of his subs are just weird, often just meant to see a game out.
2. In quite a few games we have dominated the first half and then the other manager makes a tactical switch and we don’t react. The latest example was Palace. Sometimes I think Rafa sets up his gameplan in training and just sticks to it no matter what.
3. The only game where we really went for it full on, all game was West Ham at home. When we have our foot on the throat of the other team we should push on.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
My guess is that now that Lejeune is fit he will replace Clark who has not been at his best lately. I also think he will stick with Perez and Ritchie because of their energy. If Merino’s back is OK I think he will be in for Shelvey because of the latter’s lack of defensive qualities / pace. First sub will be Murphy though and not Atsu. My expected team:
New Goalie
Yedlin Lascelles Lejuene Dummett
Ritchie Merino Diame Kenedy
Perez
Slimani
Eric Sykes(Quote)
“Sometimes I think Rafa sets up his gameplan in training and just sticks to it no matter what.”
That’s the way it looks to me too Eric. The endless rotation is getting to me as well . There’s only 12 games left Rafa, you don’t need to rest someone for the next one. Was Diame carrying a knock? Didn’t look it to me. Had Kenedy run out of steam? He’s a fit 22 year old who’d only played an hour. I no longer trust Rafa like I used to. I sort of got it when there was 46 games but not now.
georgio(Quote)
Rafa has always been a rotation manager, used to drive Pool fans mad too, they still loved him though.
Shelvey could of cost us a pen on sunday, he is seriously starting to annoy me now. It’s the total lack of common sense that gets to me. He is so talented and brilliant when his head is right ( Palace first half ) but when the chips are down he starts doing silly **** which has and can prove very costly. Needs to man up and grow up, dust that chip off his shoulder.
kimtoon(Quote)
Not NUFC related but I am going to get on my high horse about the press again. De Bruyne is a brilliant player who has been one of the best in the league. The press anointed him player of the season after about 5 fckin games though. There is even a player on his team – Silva – who I think has played better and provided more for the team. I think the stats would bear me out and the stats would certainly bear me out on Mo Salah. But no, he was anointed by the press in November so it must be so.
The press create this meme that a certain player is a shoo in for player of the year and it becomes accepted even by the players themselves.
I am shocked that they haven’t switched to their golden boy Harry Kane, but it has become accepted fact that De Bruyne is de player of de season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yep agree on that mate, said first time we were due to play them that I thought Silva was the key for them, excellent player.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: Silva is 32 as well so at least give him a lifetime achievement award like at the Oscars. He has been consistently the best player in the league for the past 5 years. Maybe not in each individual year (Luis Suarez) but over that time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Here’s a list of a few winners in the recent past:
17 – Kante
16 – Vardy
15 – Hazard
14 – Suarez
13 – Bale
All worthy winners but I think it also makes a case for Silva getting the “lifetime achievement award”.
As an aside, guess who won in 1999 – Kevin Phillips 🙂 🙂 🙂
It must have had something to do with the millennial thing where everybody thought the world would come to an end and computer hard drives would blow up. Maybe there was a “Phillips Bug” that infested all the voters’ computers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Off topic, but it seems Samir Nasri is available on a free transfer… he’s a little knob, but a good player… I would take him on a free transfer. Anyone else? I know the Toon won’t. But do think he could do a job in midfield or as a number 10..?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Risky one mate, has a terrible reputation apparently, could upset harmony. Would give him a wide birth personally .
kimtoon(Quote)
Well Dei Ali is in deep ****,I’ve just seen a vid as plane as day of him in a hotel naked getting a b–w job from a naked girl
Icedog(Quote)
Dubai – it is a risky one but he’s more gifted than what we have. We’d probably take Ben Arfa who’s as big a risk but equally talented.
No great risk taking him til the end of the season if he creates or gets a couple of goals & keeps us up – especially if he’s playing for a longer contract. If he doesn’t he’s gone and we don’t have to worry about him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Golden boy isn’t having a great season this season like. Personally I can’t stand the kid.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good lad.
shamrock(Quote)
I agree 100% with you mate on the pitch he’s a sly dirty swine,if you watch him he’s always gobbing at players on the sly as well
Icedog(Quote)
DT,Rafa would never take Benny Ime afraid not a big enough team player for him
Icedog(Quote)
The video is deli ali but hes pissin in the girls mouth, either way hes a ****
Davetoon(Quote)
Urgh. That is minging.
He is a stroppy cheat on the playing field mind. Needs to focus if he wants to go on to greatness. Has the talent but wrong attitude.
shamrock(Quote)
We have 2 weeks off after Man U so Rafa has no reason not to play his best team. But Man U will have had 8 days off and no midweek game following so Moaning Maureen can play who he wants as well. Matic might be carrying an injury so it is a chance to give him a long rest. My guess at their team is:
De Gea
Valencia Smalling Rojo Shaw
Mata Pogba Herrera Sanchez
Lindgard
Lukaku
Of course, since they have spent the GDP of Panama on players in the last 3 years they are really a bit spoilt for choice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am just hoping that when Olly does his Opposition View piece that he can find the one Manc who doesn’t have a sense of entitlement/superiority 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Might of fancied our chances but now they have Sanchez, that small hope is gone.
kimtoon(Quote)
Dave toon is that you back on mate?! ????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Different davetoon sharpy mate, sorry to disappoint haha
Davetoon(Quote)
Dave – sorry mate, no disappointment at all buddy. Other Dave was an original when the site was first set up & not been on in donkeys ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Glad to see Mitro not burning bridges. He has an opportunity at Fulham to show Rafa what he can do. He is only there for a few months and then will return to NUFC so it would be stupid to be anything other than diplomatic. Who knows, we might be in a different division, have a new manager or new owners when he returns from the World Cup.
And we would be stupid to sell as well. A good World Cup could easily double his value. Look what happened with Sissoko. We were getting offers of 12 million and then he has a good Euros and suddenly we sell him for 30 mil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Good article on West Ham. They are an absolute mess and yet are above us.
http://www.football365.com/news/west-ham-diamond-geezers-with-their-rhinestone-club
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The way the fixtures are this weekend there is a chance we could be in the bottom 3 before a 2 week break. There would then be a lot of doom and gloom. Let me start it off. The bookies have us 2-1 to go down. That’s pretty bad but probably based on the fact that we have to face Liverpool and Spurs away and Chelsea and Arsenal at home. They will all be desperately fighting for a top 4 finish but a surprise win would really help us out. We really need to take 3 points from some of our relegation rivals. The good news is that there are so many in the relegation mix that an average of a point a game would probably see us safe.
Beating Man U would be a Godsend.
I reckon we are 50-50 for the drop.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh ****. I just looked at the fixtures and we could be in deep trouble. The next 3 games look ominous and we could need to beat Chelsea in the last game of the season (or might already be relegated).
Man U home
Bournemouth away
Liverpool away
Southampton home
Spurs away
Huddersfield home
Leicester away
Everton away
West Brom home
Chesea home
Bournemouth, Southampton, Huddersfield and West Brom look critical. Hope Slimani is the second coming of Alan Shearer or else it looks like we are Fcked. How’s that for doom and gloom 🙂
We really need to sneak some unexpected points and although we will be underdogs against Leicester and Everton there is a chance.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC it makes really bad reading mate,more so when we need 15 points to be sure we stay up,cannot see where we can get them looking at those games ime afraid
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: I missed a couple of games though:
Arsenal home
Watford away
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice: Watford is probably a must win. At least a must not lose.
I reckon 13 points will keep us up but the problem is that we play 5 of the current top 6 in our 12 remaining games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The odds are not in our favour I am afraid but miracles can happen. Swansea beat Liverpool! But let’s assume worst case scenario and we lose all 5 games against the top 6. That leaves us 7 games to get 13 or 14 points. That is an average of 2 points a game and we currently average under 1.
Of course that skews it a little bit on the negative side because we average slightly over 1 point a game against teams outside the top 6. However, there are some must win games for us now. Draws are simply not good enough against relegation rivals and we really have to pull off a couple of surprises.
OLLY: how about an article on what we need to do to survive?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Dele Alli getting a BJ. Whatever next… As long as they both enjoyed it and nobody was forced who gives a flying…
Anyway, I reckon Rafa will go with 3 at the back and use Kenedy at wing back with Dummet as left sided centre half. Slimani and Perez up top and Shelvey, Diame and Hayden in midfield.
Stuart79(Quote)
You not going to weigh in on points we need and points we will get Stuart? I didn’t realise we were in as deep **** as we are.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think 37 will def keep us up, maybe 36. Can we get the points? I’m hanging my cap on Kenedy and Slimani. I hope he converts some of the chances we create. The games I have my eye on are, Southampton, WBA, Watford and Huddersfield. Plus the likes of Leicester and Everton will have nothing to play for so we might get the odd point.
Stuart79(Quote)
Forget the top 6 we have 3 home games that we have to get 7 points from and 4 away that we have to get 5 from. 37 pts, probably enough.
Premandup(Quote)
That’s the problem with being a NUFC fan – you always think the worst (because the worst has usually happened and I wasn’t alive for the 3 FA cups in the ’50s). Rafa won 2 La Ligas with Valencia against Barca and Real Madrid. Liverpool were down 3-0 in the European Cup and won it.
Getting 12 or 13 points from 12 games cannot be beyond him. No matter who we are playing? Right?
I was getting a bit depressed this morning when I saw our schedule but it will all work out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well Rafa seems to think we can
Icedog(Quote)
Don’t forget new striker cannot play agains Leicester
Icedog(Quote)