Yesterday's match...

In my opinion....

We ended up clinging on because we were too negative 2nd half. We could have won the game very easily by 90 mins if we had continued with some semblance of an attacking bent but we seemed content to sit on the lead and try and counter-attack. Not a good policy in my opinion. Boro were wobbling and we let them off the hook. It might have been the manager's tactics to do that or it might have been the players' nervousness but yet again I came home from the game having less fingernails. We nearly blew it.

However, credit for the win. It was very much needed and hopefully it will give the players some momentum and confidence going into the Wednesday game.

I also think after watching yesterday that O'Brien is simply not good enough. His passing is usually awful, he can't cross the ball (to say he is a winger) and in spite of him trying hard (which to his credit he does) his desire does not compensate for his lack of skill. He is not good enough.
M'Voto however had a good game. His distribution is not great at times but he was commanding at centre half yesterday, he challenged for every header and constantly got a foot in where needed. He is improving and I think he is a big plus...
O'Grady led the line superbly yesterday and hopefully Pederson's run out was just what he needed.

 

We had more than enough good chances to put the game to bed second half.

 

Yes we had some, but the counter-attacking idea led us to sit back which for me was the wrong strategy. We could and should have been further up the pitch most of the time. When Boro's second went in it was like the alamo at the back

 

How they think a team with a defensive record like ours can sit back and defend is beyond me

 

Thought Flicker got it spot on myself. If Peds or Jim had put their chances away it'd have been 4-0 and game over. Can't blame Flicker for the players being nervous and lacking concentration under a barrage of pressure from a team throwing caution to the wind.
And Jim had a great game. Key player he was. And I normally wouldn't say that. But each to their own etc.

 

Problem is, he can cross a ball. I used to watch him do it every week, he's very frustrating at times!