Beleck on for Big Chris. Chris has had a great game. Shouldn't be sold on the back of that performance.
A very good win, we controlled the match other than a short spell of Brum pressure! Well done GFZ and his Golden Boys let's see what we can do from here
Watching Vydra's finish again. Just sublime. The little movement before he lifts it over Butland. Glorious.
Really good first half, just got to work on the second half if we want to have repeat results against better opposition. The Iwelumo/Vydra partnership clearly wasn't working , I would have stuck on Leo Beleck much sooner. As soon as we lost the outlet upfront, we were unable to pick it up or hold it in midfield as well..... meaning we were pinned back. Luckily, we defended well and Birmingham were very poor. We played well and deserved the win, but I'd like to see some of these new signings come into the frame so that we have more options to keep the team fresh for 90 minutes.
Well that was fun! Obviously the first half was better than the second...but we defended very well. Yeates is a bit of an enigma, he can be bloody awful, and then he can have days like today...he and Iwelumo stole the show for me...and i hope this means that we won't see Hodson instead of Doyley for a while! Bring on Tuesday!
It is unfortunate but I have happily just seen this result. I had to go to Guadalajara to sort a few things out. Was the performance that good? I am sure the 1st half was judging by what people have said. We are going to have good days and off ones, this is the way it could be when so many changes have taken place. Glad to see Garner on the bench, no offence to him, not good enough at this level. His time must be up with others coming in and more importantly into fitness. How good were Birmingham? I saw Ipswich got hammered, just shows what unpredictable start to the season it can be. We will move in the right direction, we have a lot more quality in the squad, albeit at a cost to our original prinicpals. However, those who get annoyed over future bad performances should remember the one today. We are, without doubt, an unknown in this league now, just ask Zola he isn't too sure about it all yet either.
Once we'd dried out, very enjoyable, especially the first half. My impressions, for what they're worth, of individuals... Almunia...could have taken a nap in this one Doyley...rarely under pressure, got forward, still looks nervous with the ball at his feet Pudil...neat and tidy, linked well in attack, defensive positioning spot on today Taylor...doesn't sound nice but had Marlon in his pocket Nosworthy...quietly effective against out of touch strikers Hogg...unfussy barrier in front of back four, no need for any rash tackles Murray...kept the ball but perhaps not yet match fit Abdi...touches of class, wants the ball, faded in the second half Vydra...superb finish, found space on the left, occasional lightweight in challenges Yeates...best game in a yellow shirt, incisive passes, looked for the ball, can't do it for 90 minutes though Iwelumo...did what he does best, held up even awkward balls, harrassed defenders and shouted encouragement
I am not a big fan of Iwelumo since I think he is too slow --I would prefer a more mobile forward. But I have to admit he has his qualities and in this game he showed them. It is actually quite good to play him from the start rather than only bring him on towards the end "to shake things up" . If he is on the pitch from the start then we have the option of varying the play during the game--not having to change the team to vary the style. If a team press us higher up the pitch to stifle the passing game (as Ipswich did) we can immediately go more direct via Owelumo, and get behind them. Pressing us higher up the pitch becomes a risky tactic for opponents when Iwelumo is an option. Zola seems to be closing in on a good formation and tactics that suit the players at his disposal. Doubtless he will ring the changes as more players get fit, but he does seem to be headed in the right direction. The team looked like a proper team last night , and the training ground work was clear to see.
I assume you mean it wasn't working after the tiredness set in. I thought it worked very well for the fist 55 mins or so. I am not a great fan of big Chris, but thought he played very well yesterday and linked up really well with Vydra. Vydra looked absolutely dead on his feet after an hour though, and Chris was also looking very tired by mid second half. I have to also acknowledge Mark Yeates performance as well. Another player that I am not a fan of, but had one of the best games I have seen him play for Watford yesterday.