12 Feb 2020 08:20:06
Given our recent run of form, a draw against one of the Championship contenders was a good result. Positives include; bossing the opposition on their own ground (except a 15 min spell after they scored) through retaining more quality possession and maintaining a high press when we did not have the ball. Keeping quiet a strike force that many pundits have waxed lyrical about, well done defence. Astute tactics to pin their left and right back through our wingers hugging the touch line being supplied with quality long passes. This definitely knocked Brentford out of their stride. Phillips was immense, glad to have him back. Negatives include; poor delivery of crosses from the wings. Despite getting a lot of joy by making their backs defend, when we attempted to cross it either hit the first man or was over hit. Harrison and Costa are not picking players out as much as hit and hope. Our finishing again was poor as both Harrison and Costa had good chances which both were hit with weak efforts. Individually we were better however Costa, Hernandez and Bamford did not have great games. Bamford I would excuse a little as he had little to work with but two half chances (at best) were ballooned over the bar, a sight we are seeing a little too often. Finally our goalkeeper. Be it that he is not good enough technically or he is struggling with external pressures, even his most ardent supporter must see that he is currently a liability. Gifted the opposition goal and could have easily done the same in the second half. Casilla needs time out of the firing line, because at the moment, he is good for a goal a game and I am not convinced we have the finishing quality to score two a game.
12 Feb 2020 09:02:15
Excellent post Notts.
12 Feb 2020 09:25:30
As ever Notts, an excellent post which I 100% agree with.
12 Feb 2020 10:08:21
Nice one Notts. It’s great to see someone coming on with a view to discussing the game, as opposed to complaining about something!
Even the written reviews say that our defensive line was “unusually resoluteâ€, which is hopefully a positive sign of MB’s ability to motivate / help psychologically.
Kal was always going to be a miss, and we need him fit / not banned for the rest of the season.
I agree re the wingers, but for me, not just because of crosses, but inability to score! They should both be weighing in with 8-12 goals per season, as should Pabs and Klich, and had they done this, we would be up already.
Sh1th0u53 of the match award goes to Ben White for trying to undo their gks gloves!
12 Feb 2020 10:11:25
One of the best posts/ match analyses I have seen, even better than Bielsa!
To add what was interesting about Bielsa's report was how much detail he gave about a lot of players, what was telling was the ones he missed out.
12 Feb 2020 11:34:56
Great post Notts. Good to see a balanced analysis, giving praise where due and sensible criticism (no recourse to the hyperbole which seems to be some posters'default setting) where merited.
Good to see their heads didn't drop after Casilla's howler. Apart from that moment, we seemed to render their much vaunted 'BMW" look as sleek as a Robin Reliant - probably helped, as you by the pinning of their full-backs. Hopefully other managers will have noted that and use it to but further brakes on the Bees promotion push.
Casilla needs to be rested, to clear his head - so frustrating that Bielsa continues not to see that.
12 Feb 2020 18:18:26
We were once contenders, we were once 10 points clear, clearly you don't see us in that light anymore,