Well that was an experience that I really don't want to repeat any time soon? The timing of their first goal sent us into a tail spin that we never really recovered from. I thought Vestergaard was an accident waiting to happen all afternoon, he was the guy that should have picked up the scorer of their 2nd goal, instead he was wrongside 3 or 4 meters away ball watching. McCarthy was unusually shaky and KWP was laying off his man far to much in the first half, but looked better after the break. Shame about Sofiane he looked up for it today. We enough of my rant, I need a beer.
This post sums up my perception entirely although I would add that much of our turn around in form has been due to Armstrong who was largely anonymous today. I think it is alarming of Redmond is going to be out for one-two months but perhaps this will allow Adams and Obefemi to step up to the mark. I would have thought Romeu might have been a good option today although it was unfortunate that Boufal's injury stopped what might have been a decent 90 minutes from him. I thought Bednarek was unfortunate to be dropped although not as fortunate as Vestergaard was at being selected! The second half was dreadful although I cannot say Burnley were that entertaining either. It is for a good reason that Dyche is billed as the "Ginger Mourinho." All in all, it would have been difficult for anyone to play football in today's conditions and perhaps we are fortunate that the match was not later now that the weather has deteriorated even further.
Ings had a shocker for the first goal but made up for it with a great goal. Vestegaard is a liability VAR was correct Adams needs more than 10mins each game. If Hojberg squares to him rather than shoots we scrape a draw. We are playing ok, it's the West Ham scalp we really want anyway.
Not today there's not Kaito. I could feel myself sinking lower into my chair as the game went on. Not the worst game this season obviously but we have been served up some real **** at home this season. I'm not so sure the weather was to blame for that.
It's not really fair, Burnley get to train in these 'up north' conditions week in week out whereas our lads are used to the golden sunshine of the south coast.
Only thing that can make this day any better is the Scousers losing their unbeaten record at bottom club Norwich, maybe their pampered stars might not fancy the stormy conditions...
I thought we were alright first half. Not great, but alright. A draw at HT was probably fair enough, but if anyone deserved to be in front it was us. Burnley offered nothing. Main reason for that I thought was Boufal. Huge blow that he got injured, because I thought he was running the show somewhat. Unfortunately, the second half was more akin to the rubbish we've been served up so often, for so long. Everything sideways and backwards. No urgency. No creativity. Passing the ball two yards after winning a FK, rather than looking to get it into the box. That second half deserved nothing other than a defeat. (Not that I thought more better of Burnley's performance, mind.) Again our subs made next to no impact, which is becoming a concern. Actually, that's not true. Djenepo had an impact... in the sense that he was terrible. Really, really bad. There was a period in the second half where him and Armstrong swapped over, which I read as Ralph trying to do something to get Djenepo playing better. But alas all it achieved was to put Armstrong out of position, and thus weaken someone who was playing alright until that point. I was pretty impressed with KWP. Looked decent enough. First impression is that he's someone who thinks attack before defend, and that's presumably because coming as a FB from a club like Spurs, that is what he's used to.
So is the secret plan by Ralph to make it absolutely obvious to the board that Vestergard is simply not PL quality? Your ‘accident waiting to happen’ has been the apt description ever since he arrived with rare evidence it’s going to be any different for the foreseeable future. I’m not surprised that McCarthy looked a tad off key with such unreliable personnel in front of him. Pretty sure Ralph will give up on Vesty as a first choice, and get Bednarek and Stephens alongside each other again. We’ll win next time out, pretty sure about that. In Ralph we trust!
I'm not sure we will win the next game, I think Burnley wanted it more today and I bet Villa will also.
I’ve not seen the game on telly but I’m a few beers and I love to drag up an old debate. But at least Shane tries hard. #clublegend.
I’m tuned in now. Vestergaard is that bad that if he’s still here in 4 years time he could become a club legend.
Just want to say. Amazing effort by the fans that were there in those conditions. You have my full respect. Also remember as teams in the premier league go we are pretty **** we have an amazing manager who is massively over achieving a little bit like Koeman did when he took over. Hopefully we have enough to stay up and then build for next season.