ClaretandHugh’s ratings man Niall McDonald delivers his verdict on today’s performances
Adrian: Struggling to think of a shot he had to save. Obviously encouraged the players to re-focus after their goal 5
Byram: Made a brave challenge for a loose ball in the opening minutes and was stretchered off – our run of injuries continues… No rating
Reid: A heroic effort. Injured just before the break, emerged afterwards favouring a bandaged wrist. Let nothing past him 8
Collins: Solid defensively – saw too much of the ball in the first half 6
Ogbonna: I apologise to all the full-backs I’ve taken for granted down the years. Clearly a specialist role which clearly doesn’t suit Ogbonna. 3
Noble: Skipper was subbed again. Seems to be struggling to last the pace but then he has started every single game so far, friendlies included 5
Obiang: A master class in defensive midfield play – outstanding. Now will he get the chance to stay in the side? 8
Kouyate: Looked fitter to me today. Not making that standout contribution in the game yet 5
Tore: “You’re ******* useless”, a voice behind me bellowed not long before he made way at the interval 2
Payet: I was sitting thinking it wasn’t as if he was being marked out the game, he just wasn’t involved and then he beat five of them and saved the day 7
Antonio: Added ‘centre-forward’ to his CV – his relentless energy, running and commitment shone through again 6
Subs
Arbeloa: Played virtually the entire game and is starting to show his undoubted quality 7
Zaza: I always used to feel half-time changes were a sign of a manager not knowing what he was doing. Zaza was today’s entrant after the break for the hapless Tore. Didn’t look likely to break his duck today 4
Lanzini: Some more nice touches – not quite got the killer-pass radar working 5
My boy asked me why we make so many passes backwards during today’s game. Do you know, he is on to something and he is 12. No movement in the final third so nobody in space to move the ball up to. Never thought I would pray for the return of Carroll and Sakho but we need someone to hold it up and someone else who can move defenders around and create space for others. Unfortunately Zaza possesses neither attribute, leaving limited options. But looking on the bright side, I was concerned Valencia could suddenly look good playing for another side. I needn’t have worried on that score. Oh and spot on with your description of Tore’s performance today.
Stop making excuses for Noble !!!. We start a man short everytime he plays.l think only you and Slav see something in him. Even with Obiang doing the donkey work and mopping up behind him, he still was insipid. Obiang was miles ahead in terms of tackles, interceptions etc, but watch how Noble will once again “lead” the team against Palace with Obiang sat on the bench. lts like Nolan all over again…. and he will be Slavs undoing.
Not you Jimbo, but Niall
Trying adding ‘in my opinion’ hehe.But there is one difference,Bilic substitues Noble,BFS kept Nolan on :
Point taken Eddie
I’m no fan of Noble’s – he’s done well for us, and done very well out of us. Subbed in the last 2 games, maybe the end is near. When he’s 100% on his game he’s great but that’s a couple of times a season these days. He wasn’t great or awful today – 5 out of 10
Just happy we are not all Captain Noble haters like the few have decided from.the start of the season, there are plenty not performing fully, but we need to Back them, All The Team or we will be in a one big mess.
Jaybs why is is it when someone says something about Nobes being **** they become a Nobes hater? The fact is he’s been pathetic, slows the game down everytime he gets the ball,doesn’t drive the team forward and is fast becoming Nolan a captain with no legs and picked on a reputation not because of his form.
Today there was no movement and little shape to the team, we got a result and that was good, Noble and Kouyate were as poor as I have seen them, I thought Ogbonna did ok I would have given him s 5, I also thought other than his ridiculous shot from 35 yards out Zaza showed signs of improvement, Payet was better I said to the guy next to me before he scored I wonder what would happen if we made Payet captain ? Obiang and Reid both had really good games every time a cross came in Adrian looked lost with a number of very dodgy punches and flaps, Arbeloa looked good also and wasn’t shy of telling his midfield to help him out when he was exposed a couple of times. I really want to see Fernandes in for Kouyate or Noble and Fletcher must get a start soon. Overall the sort of performance required to stop the rot but we need to kick on now COYI !!!
In my mind, considering the current predicament, the 1 all draw is very much welcome, shape and movement or no shape and movement we desperately need to start somewhere.
Glad Reid turned up and great goal Payet. Keep them coming whilst the others find their feet. Nice break now and hopefully a time to get players back and work on the basics and tactics. COYI!
To those arrested,
F off morons! Don’t need ya, jog on as they say ere in Essex.