Today, even though it wasn't a win, what a performance. We belong here. We're not making up the numbers, we're not the whipping boys, we can go toe to toe. Really, the first hour of the Liverpool match should have convinced me of that, but what impressed me today was how we paced ourselves. OK, with no offence to Fulham, we were against a lower class of opposition to those chasing the title, but you could see the way we sometimes sat off, and then started the press once again. It meant we could do it throughout the game, rather than burning out mid way through the second half.
I have to admit I don't see Muric as an upgrade on Hladky at this early stage - he certainly didn't fill me at confidence when coming for the ball. His distribution will come as he gets used to where players will be. The backline was, for the most part, brilliant. It feels like Phillips has found somewhere where he belongs and I hope he continues to grow. Morsy had a quiet first half but picked it up in the second. I'd argue the same for Hutchinson; it was an interesting decision to play him as the ten and Szmodics on the left. As Hutchinson drifted more to the right, it did leave Szmodics 'alone' at times, and he didn't have the same impact as previously for that reason, though still did well. Ogbene did well, and can see why we wanted him as he has similar attributes to Burns. Delap... what to say. £15m is looking more and more of a steal.
Clarke was very bright when he came on, and Cajuste seems to be another fine signing. Chaplin didn't have much time to have an impact. With Al-Hamidi, I'm hoping he's still finding his feet after injury, but there is a definite drop in hold up play without Delap.
But overall, a very entertaining game which we possibly edged. The Premier League is almost two tiers in itself and, whilst we understandably can't count ourselves towards the top-to-six clubs, we are more than capable of giving the rest a run for their money. |  |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
