Positives from today

paulbefc · September 10, 2011

1. We proved ourselves to be technically and physically better than an outfit who we have missed out in the transfer market to and have spent vastly more than us with Cahill on his own up front. Got to give Moyes credit where due.
2. Royston Drenthe looks quick, assured and cool as a cucumber. On first assessment- left side problem - SORTED
3. Certain players back to their best - Felli was great I thought. Showed some great touches and rarely lost the ball. Coleman who I've doubted for a while tore their left back to shreds most of the game. Rodders was decent and was assured and did nothing wrong that I can recall and looked a goal threat. Best I've seen from him in a while. Bily can't fit in here as such because I don't think he's ever been at his best here but he didn't do much wrong and fitted in fine.
3. Young players bedded in like they'd always been there - Vellios caused problems and seems to have a great right peg. Barkley proved he will be the real deal if handled right and caused havoc coming forward.
4. The reception for Kenwright - I'll get stick but it showed the immense maturity of the overwhelming majority of our fanbase. Did that man look like the 'liar' and 'arsehole' that he has been painted as on the internet? I suppose to some the smile on his face was really an evil smirk of a man deliberately plotting the demise of his beloved club (and no I'm not a ****ing "apologist"... christ.
5. The rest of the season holds promise - We won't play like this every week but I do feel there's something about this squad now that arteta's gone. There's something really 04/05 about the club after today. I'm not suggesting I think we'll finish fourth but I believe in this squad as much as I did the last but this time there's no expectation and I think that's exactly what got us that great season 7 years ago.

Please add any more positives, we're due a few.

Nordecke · September 10, 2011

Drenthe was like bottled atomic energy those first few minutes.. Think he blew his load though, and went missing at the end..

chicoazul · September 10, 2011

Coleman looked very good on the right.

Cahill done a really good job up front.

Osman was excellent just behind him.

We've got some cracking young players coming through.

Drenthe looked initially very sharp and positive.

We dominated the game.

TheFinnFan · September 10, 2011

Paul, you are the man. respect.

tsubaki · September 10, 2011

The RS having a massive go at Clattenburg at the end of their game.

Phenom · September 10, 2011

Great post mate, Royston is the man.

Silas · September 10, 2011

Royston was very good and Bily wasn't by any means bad. I don't think anyone had a bad game. Velios was immense when he came on.

icburns · September 10, 2011

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paulbefc said:
1. We proved ourselves to be technically and physically better than an outfit who we have missed out in the transfer market to and have spent vastly more than us with Cahill on his own up front. Got to give Moyes credit where due.
2. Royston Drenthe looks quick, assured and cool as a cucumber. On first assessment- left side problem - SORTED
3. Certain players back to their best - Felli was great I thought. Showed some great touches and rarely lost the ball. Coleman who I've doubted for a while tore their left back to shreds most of the game. Rodders was decent and was assured and did nothing wrong that I can recall and looked a goal threat. Best I've seen from him in a while. Bily can't fit in here as such because I don't think he's ever been at his best here but he didn't do much wrong and fitted in fine.
3. Young players bedded in like they'd always been there - Vellios caused problems and seems to have a great right peg. Barkley proved he will be the real deal if handled right and caused havoc coming forward.
4. The reception for Kenwright - I'll get stick but it showed the immense maturity of the overwhelming majority of our fanbase. Did that man look like the 'liar' and 'arsehole' that he has been painted as on the internet? I suppose to some the smile on his face was really an evil smirk of a man deliberately plotting the demise of his beloved club (and no I'm not a ****ing "apologist"... christ.
5. The rest of the season holds promise - We won't play like this every week but I do feel there's something about this squad now that arteta's gone. There's something really 04/05 about the club after today. I'm not suggesting I think we'll finish fourth but I believe in this squad as much as I did the last but this time there's no expectation and I think that's exactly what got us that great season 7 years ago.

Please add any more positives, we're due a few.

I was surprised to hear this. It's good to see supporters actually support from time to time. Good on us.

Lien · September 10, 2011

If we can beat Wigan next week, then I'm giving the start to the season an official thumbs up.

Yes, it'll be official and everything.

Nealroy · September 10, 2011

I dont think Drenthe shot his bolt (as it were), think we just bypassed midfield after villa scored their second.

I'd echo all of those positives. I'll add to it that Jags head looked a bit more on it than recently too (though again someone got between his Sylvain).

Keep playing like that and we'll do well this year.

Allezfan · September 10, 2011

The 4-5-1 looks workable with Osman in the hole and Cahill or Vellios in front.

I still think it was stupid to not even try a 4-4-2 with Beckford but we do look like we have the personnel to make a 4-5-1 work now if Moyes is going to stick to it. Which could be really good news for us, especially if Denis can play the same role as well.

Zatara · September 10, 2011

Well said;

Drenthe has not played for months + had a few days of training only!

The midfield and attack looked potentially fantastic

Rodwell and Fellaini started and finished the game

Barkley and Vellios looked like they will have a great understanding

Entertaining football.

Blue 1 · September 10, 2011

We were quite ace and should have spanked them, really. Lots to be positive about, just gutted not to have taken 3 points.

BlueTornado · September 10, 2011

Even without a recognised striker for most of the game, the team looked balanced which is great to see, i think the return of seamus really helped with that, we can actually attack from both flanks now!

MoreCows · September 10, 2011

BlueTornado said:
Even without a recognised striker for most of the game, the team looked balanced which is great to see, i think the return of seamus really helped with that, we can actually attack from both flanks now!

Spot on. Key to this is the Felli/Rodwell axis with Osman in front. Gives us a foothold and chance to release the pace of Coleman or Baines.

One fly in the ointment. Would Heitinga or Neville in midfield have closed down their goals?