I wasn't confident before the game, as I said in the preview but the guys who came in were excellent and the first half performance in particular was won of the best we've had since winning promotion. We played some very good football, keeping the ball and waiting to pounce.
The left wing partnership of Ward and Van Damme was superb. Van Damme was everywhere winning his battles and attacking whenever he could. Ward apart from one moment of madness was solid in defence and when he moved to left midfield was a real threat. The save from Sorensen was fantastic, and in that scramble we were denied a clear penalty.
It also makes me feel better that in the absence of a key forward, the one that came in proved that he is good enough. Ebanks-Blake had one of his best games for a long time, and sent out a message. He's not just going to sit on the bench. The man he partnered justified his £7 million fee from Burnley. Many people thought that was over priced but these days you have to splash out to get a decent forward.
Kevin Foley well was just Kevin Foley. Rarely makes a mistake and adds something to the team going forward. He should deservedly keep his place where he was our player of the year in 2009. The centre backs were as usual solid, and only through one lapse of concentration at a corner did we concede.
David Jones was again influential. There were question marks over him in a 4-4-2, that him and Henry would get overrun but the two of them did there job and Jones ran the show from the middle. His goal was brilliant, probably the first time he has got that right after many failed attempts during last season.
Hahnemann - 7
 |
| Fletcher gets a debut goal |
Foley - 7
Berra - 7
Craddock - 7
Ward - 8
Jarvis - 7
Jones - 8
Henry - 7
Van Damme - 7
Ebanks-Blake - 7
Fletcher - 8
Subs: Keogh - 5, Elokobi -6, Halford - 6
A well deserved victory, next we go to slow starters Everton and we could get something. For now, we can celebrate being in the final champions league spot.
Following on from last season, I was part of 'The Verdict' on the Observer. To see it click here (scroll right down) or buy it.
Criminal that MOTD failed to show Delap's fluffed final minute throw in. Hopefully, MOTD2 will. Aside from that, what a team. Still not convinced that 2 in the middle of the midfield will be able to cope against the better teams but Jones continues to confound my every expectation. Anything at Goodison would set up a potentially incredible start (with Newcastle and Fulham to follow) and last year we gave them a proper scare so why not?
ReplyDeleteTop class win! Some of the footy in the first half was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThe way we came back into the game in the second half was excellent, exactly what we need to start doing when holding a lead