Firstly, Perkins is far too good at protecting our defence in centre midfield to take him out of that area and ask him to play left back. It is not just that he did not do a good job at left back. It is that we were wide open down the middle. Secondly, this is the first time that I have seen Ranger. He is too much like Davies. I became really frustrated during the first half when our midfield failed to pass the ball forward, instead passing it backwards to retain possession, so I took to watching our front pairing. Neither were making runs, preferring to ask for the ball to feet with their backs to the two Palace centre halfs. There will be those who would say that another ref would have given us many more fouls as they jostled Davies and Ranger, but I prefer to go with the refs opinion that the challenges were fair. It is just that our play was predictable because there was not enough movement. The good news is that Mr Hill recognised his mistakes and corrected them. Wiseman made a much better job of full back than Perkins did, even putting in a good left foot cross. We were far better balanced up front when Haynes was partnering Davies and his movement made space for others. Those who are worried that Butterfield may leave should not. He is only half a player. He is OK with the ball at his feet, and even though he had an average game tonight, he still made the second goal with the power of his shooting. However, his positioning and his unwillingness to work hard when we do not have the ball is bound to scare the big boys away.
not really Perkins awful at left back, 200% better in his correct position in second half Ranger poor again Butterfield poor again. saved himself with a goal on Saturday and tonight with a decent shot that led to goal.
Perkins was not awful at full back at all he is just better in midfield . incidently he didnt do a great deal there tonight Had Danny Drinkwater been playing ok Hill would not have made that change imo
I think Butterfield's improved ten fold since last season, and is still only get better. I saw times when he covered for Perkins at left back first half, tracked runners etc. He'll get there. And I disagree with the Ranger/Davies pairing. What was frustrating was only Vaz Te got anywhere near the two up top - think those two did well with the two big centre halves considering the physicality of 'em as well. And Keef looked outstanding so all's good.
what????, We won and i am happy, and I unlike most on this board have been behind hill and the player he brought in right from the start. But just because we won again should we all pretend everyone played fantastic, My post was in reply to tyrone1 saying what red rain had posted was rubbish
Thing is I have been one of Hill's biggest critics, but I thought that he got it right. Perkins is never a left back in a million years, but needs must. Zaha didn't get a kick because he was tracked everywhere. Last week Zaha terrorised Man Utd. Their fans were taunting man u with"he's just too good for you" , and he was. Ranger did ok I thought. The miss was a bad one, but I thought he offered something different. Thought Butterfield had an off day, but still contributed. Rightfully subbed though.
Agree with that - It was an obvious decision to take Drinkwater off and replace him with Perkins as Drinkwater was not at the races tonight. Thought Perkins did OK at full back but do agree that he was missed in the middle. I was much happier with the second half formation.
Never said he was ****. Player of the season for me. This season. A totally different impact to last year. He was ineffective last year. Said so himself. Radio Sheffield said the same tonight, and what a different player he is now. I'm glad he is. He's been brilliant this year.
Butterfield is, by some distance, the best player we've had since Hignett. OK, by his very high recent standards he was less effective last night. But he still made both goals, a couple of his passes in the first half were sublime, and all this despite the fact he's struggling with a foot injury. Just wait until he goes in January and see the difference.
Butterfield was well under par last night. His corners were poor and he stole Vaz Te's free kick for a quick one that not even our own players were expecting. Lad needs a rest.
You're either his agent or his dad some of his passes were sublime. and some of them were too short. and a lot of them were backwards. His performance last night smacked of he'd been told by his agent whos sat in the stands, played within himself, infact I thought quite lazy at times. Dont get me wrong, on his day, he can pick a pass and deliver a great free kick, and he's much improved now he's had a run in the side. Id go as far as saying he's one of the first names on the team sheet, but maybe thats part of the problem. I hope he stays and continues to improve, but I doubt he will, money talks. I doubt we'll miss him that much though, as a replacement is most likely already be lined up.