But when playing the likes of Albania, do we need to be worried about getting overrun in midfield? I'd go with 3-1-3-1 plus wingbacks. Yates could do that DM role as back up to Rice no problem. Wouldn't want Anderson doing it though.
Always embarrassing when the keeper gets megged, but the bigger problem is that once again we allowed a free header at or beyond the back post. We did it for Exeter's second and Newcastle's first. We got away with it a couple of times v Arse and again about 3 minutes after Ipswich's goal.
MGW really upped the game when he came on but I still think Yatesy is indispensible in midfield. Sangare looks well ...sangare... He isn't really doing anything for me and Danilo whilst being a big fan of his is still a bit alergic to tackling. Yatesy is starting to add goals to his game now and he really does tick all the boxes we need. Not having him on the field is very noticeable. I really hope he is starting against Citeh so he can kick a few of their midfield. Especially Rodriquez who seems like a tidy player but probably won't like it much when he comes up against our Ryan.
Taiwo looked a little lost if I am going to be honest and like Tricky I would rather him be the battering ram and his running gait is still way weird. The only time he got service he used it well. The rest of the time he was like a headless chicken trying to close down the defence and the keeper and basically not really getting much joy. Still, he has a lively smile and I cannot help thinking that soon he will click and one team (Fester?) is going to get a right old dicking from him.
Anyway, we have Ipswich to play away and I suspect Maguire learnt from this that we aren't very good at breaking down teams that like to defend . We may have to figure out a different game plan against them if we are to secure those European points.
Also we should buy Delap just for his penalty taking. That lad would fit right in.
I think he's a great player and will make a great signing for someone if Ipswich go down. I think City have a resign clause but can't imagine they'd exercise that having just signed Marmoush.
Yes. Always. The game is won and lost in midfield almost without exception.
The only difference with different levels of opposition is that 'midfield' might be on the edge of the opponents box, rather than around the half way line.....but if the oppo break the midfield, then they have time to pick a pass, then you are chasing them..and it could be anywhere around the pitch. It's how shitty conceded goals even when at their best, and it's how we score goals.
In modern football you need to snuff out that time and space, or you are at the mercy of what the oppo can do. That's what a midfield does.
Annoying bloke behind me was particularly dumb on Monday night (and it was the normal guy). There was an instance in the first half when Awoniyi came back from miles offside and the ball went to him - bloke just couldn't understand what had been given and why.
I really want to suggest that for one game I swap with his neighbour and spend 90 minutes trying to explain to him what's going on.
Second example, I've remembered. Sels catches the ball in our penalty area when we are defending deeply, so he waits for some targets to move to the half way line. Annoying bloke shouts "boot it". Why? Are you that desperate for Ipswich to get uncontested possession on the half way line?
Yeah, similar. Bloke in front kept turning round and staring at me. I think he'd been listening to the helpful advice I'd been trying to give to Awoniyi and Sels. I thought about asking to swap with his neighbour so I can explain what's going on, but he looks a bit of a cunt.
Brighton away, Sat March 29th, 5.15pm kick off. So looks like a night out in Brighton for 3,000-plus Reds.
And should mean no change to the United game on the following Tuesday.
ITV, unsurprisingly picked City as their main game (Sun afternoon), with BBC going for Champ side Preston v Villa Sun lunchtime.
Fulham v Palace in the sh!t Saturday lunchtime slot.