A frustrating draw at St. James Park today, as an awful VAR decision – denying Joe Willock of a fair goal – and missed chances cost us against Crystal Palace.
We go again against West Ham next week, where we’ll hopefully have our ‘big hitters’ back in Bruno Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Here come the ratings from today’s 0-0 draw:
Nick Pope – 8* – Made nine saves in total and two were superb, one against Mateta in the first half and the other to somehow turn Edouard’s goal-bound shot around the post in the second. Always quick off the line to deny Palace’s runs in behind and released the ball well, at times, to set up attacks. Seems incredibly solid in between the posts. A brilliant bit of summer business from the recruitment team.
Kieran Trippier – 7.5* – A very solid performance from our on field captain, making six key passes and creating one big chance, but also kept Palace dangerman Wilfried Zaha quiet all game. Some great deliveries from corners could’ve also bagged him an assist on another day.
Fabian Schar – 7 – Won five out of six of his aerial duels this afternoon, five clearances and put in a strong second half display after making the odd error in the first.. A solid showing from the Swiss international.
Sven Botman – 7 – Forming a fantastic partnership with Schar at centre back. Completed 89% of his passes (43) this afternoon, demonstrating his ball playing abilities fantastically. Was unlucky not to have a goal in the first half with a melee in the Crystal Palace box and would’ve had an assist had the dissalowed goal stood. Sometimes struggled when Palace got in behind our midfield and ran at our back four, but looks so comfortable in the Premier League. We definitely have a player on our hands.
Matt Targett – 6 – A steady display from the left-back, but it was not one of his best performances in a black and white shirt. Lost possession 18 times this afternoon and failed to affect the game in the final third. Pretty solid defensively and subbed in the 79th minute for Dan Burn.
Sean Longstaff – 6.5 – A steady showing from the Geordie man in midfield who has responded well to a poor showing against Tranmere in the cup. Did well considering he was booked early on, made two key passes and completed 91% of his 31 passes attempted in midfield. Lacks mobility at times, however, meaning our midfield sometimes looked a little one-paced.
Joelinton – 6 – Started brilliantly, but lost possession a few too many times, also making three fouls. Good in the tackle but wasteful on the ball. Will benefit from a rest this week as suspect he has run himself into the ground in recent weeks.
Joe Willock – 6 – Missed a few good chances in the game but was always a threat in the Palace box. Again, much like Joelinton, feel he may be slightly tired from the recent schedule and will benefit from a rest. Unfairly penalised for the own goal that was chalked off!
Ryan Fraser – 5 – Did very little after a lively start. well but fizzled out of the game a little, althoughFailed to make an impact on the game, making no key passes and only 15 in total all afternoon. Was very quiet but always put a shift in defensively. Booked for a cynical foul in the second half, stopping a Palace counter attack.
Miguel Almiron – 6.5 – Looked a real threat in the first half but sometimes made the wrong decisions at key times. Needs to work on his right foot as defenders are aware of his desperation to cut inside onto his left. Ran himself into the ground as ever, hit the post with a deflected shot and saw another flash wide in the second, although a bad touch in the first half saw him throw away a huge chance to get in behind.
Alexander Isak – 6 – Wasted a big chance in the first half after bursting through, as his final touch and chip was read well by Guiata. Made a fantastic pass through to Willock for a chance in the second half. Lacked a bit of support up top from our midfield and only got 20 touches of the ball, but still showed a few classy touches. More to come I’m sure.
SUBS:
Elliot Anderson – 7 – Made a real difference when coming off the bench, creating a few chances with clever balls into the box from down the left, winning free kicks and forcing a few corners.
Jacob Murphy – 4 – Had one goal-bound shot well blocked, but Murphy just doesn’t look cut out for the Premier League. Lost possession six times in 15 minutes and made a ew silly fouls. Completed six passes. Worrying that he’s our ‘impact’ sub…
Dan Burn – N/A – Won a few headers to add aerial threat late on. Came on for the final 10.
Chris Wood – N/A – Only played two minutes.
We have too many players who can run all day, but lack quality and vision where it counts.
Don’t need to name them as it is obvious.
Can’t wait for Wilson, St Max and Bruno to return as they have the vision and quality required.
Full strength team and we can go up the league, injuries and we are a mid table side.
Anderson must be worth a starting place at the moment.
Joseph(Quote)
6.5 for longstaff is very harsh everyone around where I sit were saying what a good game he had always remember Rafa saying his best position was thatMichael Carrick style role think last couple of games he’s went long wat to prove that right needs extended run at it thou
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Don’t know what game people are watching when they say Longstaf had a good game to slow to react he should have been subbed instead of Miggy and Anderson brought on when ever we make changes we almost give the game away. Our depth is very week our sub quality are just not good enough, we just don’t have the players, Longstaf Wood Fraser should never come.
BMlondon(Quote)
There are fans out there who claim all they want is a player who tries – that would be running all day!
Agree with you about Anderson, especially with so many players out at the moment.
BykerBill(Quote)
BykerBill:-
I have never said we have players who don’t try, I believe they have all given their best despite poor coaching and management at times.
We have also had some sick notes on massive wages who should have been moved on long ago.
We should always be aiming for higher quality within the squad otherwise you go backwards.
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph agree with you we should be aiming for higher quality but it wasn’t going to happen in 2 transfer windows especially when our starting point was we were going down before the takeover happened plus it’s trying to move on players on high wages we will get there where just not there at moment also BMlondon just out of curiosity you say longstaff should have been subbed instead of miggy so who would you have put as the holding midfielder
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Darren Bebb:
It looks as though we are on the same page, things weren’t going to happen in two windows, after what we have had to put up with in the last decade we now have a good sat nav giving an upward trajectory !
Joseph(Quote)
Sven Botman is an amazing footballer. Hope he gets lucky in the future.
cladder(Quote)