So the system is OK for explaining away less effective performances from Baines and Coleman, but not OK enough to excuse Jelavic and Mirallas.
It's either a transition for all or not at all.
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So the system is OK for explaining away less effective performances from Baines and Coleman, but not OK enough to excuse Jelavic and Mirallas.
It's either a transition for all or not at all.
The Esk
Player Valuation: £70m
I think Mirallas and Jelavic are just off form whereas our playing style, in particular the lack of pace moving forward, are impacting Baines and Coleman rather than form.
Your expectations must have been pretty low because at the moment we're staring down the barrel of a relegation scrap and we're not even in September. We aren't scoring, look ponderous and the players look passionless.
The Esk
Player Valuation: £70m
Disagree, there's no evidence that we are looking at a relegation scrap, scoring may be an issue due to form but not style of play, today we created at least 5 clear cut chances that a striker in form would have buried.
bainesontoast
Player Valuation: £25m
Oh, get off it. You're making me cringe.
You watched a completely different game to me, as that simply didn't happen.
Mirallas fluffed two headers, one of which was what you'd call a good opportunity, and Jelavic put his header on target and had a half chance from outside the box which he scuffed over. That was pretty much it.
Arguably, we didn't have one clear cut chance all game.
mccole
Player Valuation: £35m
Hold Your Horses
I am as upset as all blues with 3 points from 9 however we have to come to terms that Martinez is very very different from Moyes.
Apart from last year, traditionally we are slow starters so it isnt a massive surprise that we aren't top of the league but look at the games:
NORWICH (A) 2-2
We controlled the game but their goals especially the 1st goal, a right back ghosting past 3 players then the same right back shot/cross creating their 2nd straight after we went in front. They
scored some very easy & lucky goals.
However, it is a tricky away fixture, like last year, but we saw Barkley & Martinez style taking place.
WEST BROM (H) 0-0
1st home fixture which again showed we are becoming a complete team but again, we are highlighted with our failings in central midfield & upfront.
We became restricted to what little scraps a 19yr old lad could battle out against 10 bodies behind the goal. We again controlled the pace but we never took the advantage of this & unfortunately Fellaini's & our only chance came & went against the post.
It highlighted the flaws again in the middle & upfront.
CARDIFF (A) 0-0
Very similar to West Brom, we just couldn't find a way through but we never for me very knocked hard enough.
Looking back at these games with the transfer debacle of Fellaini and Baines has hungover us, a key player like Gibson missing & forwards who just can't hit a barn door.
I understand why some are reaching for the bleach but it THREE games in, give Martinez a chance & let's face it he is getting it over a barrel by the board, he doesn't need to done by our fans too.
He has bought in 3 players, promoted Barkley to 1st team & we are through to the next round of the cup.
Sometimes you need to look at the positives.
I am as upset as all blues with 3 points from 9 however we have to come to terms that Martinez is very very different from Moyes.
Apart from last year, traditionally we are slow starters so it isnt a massive surprise that we aren't top of the league but look at the games:
NORWICH (A) 2-2
We controlled the game but their goals especially the 1st goal, a right back ghosting past 3 players then the same right back shot/cross creating their 2nd straight after we went in front. They
scored some very easy & lucky goals.
However, it is a tricky away fixture, like last year, but we saw Barkley & Martinez style taking place.
WEST BROM (H) 0-0
1st home fixture which again showed we are becoming a complete team but again, we are highlighted with our failings in central midfield & upfront.
We became restricted to what little scraps a 19yr old lad could battle out against 10 bodies behind the goal. We again controlled the pace but we never took the advantage of this & unfortunately Fellaini's & our only chance came & went against the post.
It highlighted the flaws again in the middle & upfront.
CARDIFF (A) 0-0
Very similar to West Brom, we just couldn't find a way through but we never for me very knocked hard enough.
Looking back at these games with the transfer debacle of Fellaini and Baines has hungover us, a key player like Gibson missing & forwards who just can't hit a barn door.
I understand why some are reaching for the bleach but it THREE games in, give Martinez a chance & let's face it he is getting it over a barrel by the board, he doesn't need to done by our fans too.
He has bought in 3 players, promoted Barkley to 1st team & we are through to the next round of the cup.
Sometimes you need to look at the positives.
The Esk
Player Valuation: £70m
For Tubey:
2 Mirallas headers - Cahill would have buried both in his prime.
Jelavic header first half
Jelavic shot early second half
Deulofeu's cross across the 6 yard box - just required an in form striker, or somebody predatory, again Cahill in his prime would have popped up at the far post and scored
(BTW I am not advocating Cahill returning just stating that 4 years ago with Cahill offered the same chances he might have had a hatrick). My major point is that we created chances than should have been converted.
2 Mirallas headers - Cahill would have buried both in his prime.
Jelavic header first half
Jelavic shot early second half
Deulofeu's cross across the 6 yard box - just required an in form striker, or somebody predatory, again Cahill in his prime would have popped up at the far post and scored
(BTW I am not advocating Cahill returning just stating that 4 years ago with Cahill offered the same chances he might have had a hatrick). My major point is that we created chances than should have been converted.
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They aren't clear cut chances mate, they're half chances at best.
A clear cut chance would be the two or three Kone had against Stevenage, notably from one and six yards out.
The cross along the six yard box is just that; a cross along the six yard box. It would have been a chance if the lazy yard dogs in the box made some sort of movement towards the ball, but they didn't.
For all our dominance, we didn't create a chance where I'd be able to confidently say the striker should have buried it. That's our main issue at the moment; a ponderous, slow midfield lacking creative spark.
My feeling is that Osman is holding us back massively as we don't know whether to stick or twist. Missing Gibson severely too.
Neither I, Everton or the players can make up for your crap life mate...but I await your NSNO retort with open arms. You're just waiting to swing for the bleachers so, please, entertain us all.
The Esk
Player Valuation: £70m
of the 5 quoted:
Mirallas - two free headers
Jelavic - 6 yards out, clear chance
Jelavic shot - only the keeper to beat
Deulofeu - any ball hit across the 6 yard box must be deemed a chance....
I agree we are very slow in midfield, but I'd argue that we created those chances despite being slow, and if we had an in-form striker we'd probably all be sitting here thinking how great Martinez was after three games.
bainesontoast
Player Valuation: £25m
Who do you think we could realistically target to solve your version of our problem?
Jelavic being one on one with the keeper is a clear cut chance.
We should have won 2 or 3 nil really.
We should have won 2 or 3 nil really.
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