COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Hull (A)
Comments (15) : This was rewarded near the 20-minute mark when they gained a corner that was delivered in standard fashion to the far post, our defending was far from standard as the 6'-4'' Fellaini allowed the 6'-0'' Turner to go higher and powerfully head home from a tight angle.
We continued in our uncohesive way and Yak had a powerfull shot on the volley but straight at the keeper. Although I thought we had most of the possession we seemed ragged and unable to use it to our advantage and with half-time rapidly approaching I wondered what the manager might do about it.
The answer came as the teams emerged. Baines and Castillo gone and Lescott and Saha on. The former two hadn't done to much wrong but something had to change. It seemed a bright move right at the start of the half as Saha had a shot but three minutes in we gave our third 'own goal' away in a week, is that a record?
Another regulation corner delivered to the near post saw two defenders plus keeper contrive to put the ball in their net with no challenge from a Hull player. After Yobo's og Thursday and this one today, I feel Howard is to blame as he clearly must communicate better and louder.
The half got no better for us as we continued with the lion's share of possession but sloppy thought and passing was our constant undoing until Saha burst into the box on the hour mark and forced a save from the keeper.
Then on the 70-minute mark, a bout of pinball in the box took place and Cahill had a shot that hit the bar, I looked to the heavens in frustration but on looking back I saw celebrations taking place and it appeared that the linesman had ruled ball over line to give us a lifeline.
We perked up a lot from this point without playing much better football but with certainly more urgency and endeavour and then on the 80-minute mark probably our best passage of play in the game saw a move of many passes built up that culminated in Yak exchanging passes with Saha and feeding the ball into the six-yard box for Osman to want it more than anyone and send it into the net.
From being two down we were now looking for the winner,the manager threw on Vaughan in place of a tiring Yak,he put himself about as usual and had a good shout for a penalty but the Ref. was having non of it. Three minutes of injury time and we give away a free kick near the edge of our box but it came to nought and the spoils were shared.
Overall I thought there were some good performances but only spasmodically and if I were to give a 'man of the match' award I would give it to Jags as I thought he was our most consistent performer over the 93 mins. I thought that for the most part our team looked like a collection of individuals thrown together to see what they could make of it. Our formation seemed to be anything you like at any given time which produced a display of disjointed proportions. I thought we had far better individual players than Hull but not necessarily a team.
I suppose this is understandable as since the new lads came in we have had international break and very little time on the training pitch or in the tactical classroom. But the season had started and it waits for no-one so the manager finds himself in between a rock and a hard place over the coming games. Blackburn on Wednesday, the derby Saturday and the second leg Euro tie the following Thursday. With players not yet bedded in, a paper-thin squad and no noticeable pattern of play, how will he approach it?
We will have to wait and see what transpires and hope that a good collection of individuals can be welded into some sort of a cohesive team at short notice. To be honest, looking at our squad and the problems of the close season I fear we may be at the same building stage come next May. But hey, you never know with football....
UP THE BLUES
Reader Comments
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Blues forever!!
Better squad, better team, better chance of competing for the top 4.
Then Baines does nothing wrong and gets hauled off after 45 minutes...
It?s a pity Moyes doesnt employ this ruthless streak when dealing with some of his other precious little darlings.
I'm absolutely disgusted at the way Baines has been treated by Moyes.
The problem of our defence lay?s with Yobo: when Jags and Lescott play in the middle together, they play very tight; with Hibbert back soon at right back, give young Baines a crack with a run in the team Moyes!!
Personally I would play Saha and Vaughan in the carling cup midweek and keep the Yak fresh for the Derby. Maybe Pienaar will get a run-out midweek too.
One thing that I would comment upon is that despite the justified moaning about our start to the season, we’re still not that far off the pace. A derby win could really kickstart the season proper. Problem is though we have upcoming games away to Arsenal and home to man yoo.
However, his biggest fault is ’hoofing’. No other player on the side ’hoofs’ the ball as much as he. I hardly remember him ever giving a short pass to a midfielder. Its always a big heft down the field where we don’t have any tall forwards. I just cannot understand the mentality with ’hoofing’.
If I was Moyes, I would fine any of the back four for this irritating loss of the ball unless it was clear it was done under great pressure.
I agree Baines is having a tough time of it at the moment but he did have the chance yesterday to attack down the left and you have to take your chances. Dropping Lescott seemed to have the desired effect of sharpening him up. Some real positives though I thought. We played our best football with Cahill in an orthodox midfield position and Saha looked a lot better than I thought he would. It was the best 4-4-2 combination I had seen yet.
I still feel uncomfortable about the Moyes contract talks, and if they are waiting until Thursday or Friday to give us the good news that he has signed in order to galvanise us for the weekends battle then OK, but come on, Mihir Bose at the BBC has already let that one out of the bag
I can see why Moyes brought Lescott on, we needed a bit of drive and power in the side and Lescott offered that. He’s not as technical as Baines but he does get behind teams more with his pace and power. He’s more direct so to speak.
I thought it was a stupid decision though to be honest, either play one or the other. If you pick Baines keep him on the pitch, don’t bring Lescott on after 45 minutes.
Baines will probably leave in January or at the end of the season. I just don’t think Moyes fancies him as a first choice left back, bit of a waste of 5 million in my opinion. Not because Baines is a good fullback but because Moyes has never fancied him since he came.
Hopefully he gets a run of games down the line and proves himself. Hopefully the whole back 5 gets themselves together and proves they are capable and reliable defenders.
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1 Posted 22/09/2008 at 05:18:40
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