Adrian: Not really called on and a comfortable game for the keeper who when he did have to get active was on top of the job 5
Jenkinson: No complaints. The lad is becoming a growing presence and defended well whilst getting forward at every opportunity 6
Collins: Rock solid and a defender playing to the top of his form. Impressive 7
Tomkins: After the nonsense of last weekend James showed us what he is all about – solid and dependable and a defender who can play more than a bit 6
Cresswell: Top player. Ball fell for him a tad fortuitously for the goal but he took it well. Defensively as sound as a pound. What a buy 7
Downing: Good to see him back in action and played some neat stuff at times but blew a great chance when different options were on 6
Noble: Showed no signs of the knock from last week that had put him in doubt. Wholehearted as ever but overplayed on a couple of occasions 6
Kouyate: Loads of energy and had a hand in the goal but probably still coming back to best 6
Jarvis: Bags of energy and no little skill’ Looked our most threatening outlet at times. Good return 6
Amalfitano: Patchy performance. Lot of ball given away and an odd choice to support Carroll 5
Carroll: Still not 100 per cent fit. Lacked a burst of speed when needed in box but an unsettling presence for all that 5
Subs: Zarate. Terrific performance. Hard to understand how he is nailed to the bench for so long. He must get more game time 8
Nolan: Nothing to say but he gets his appearance bonus I guess 4
Tend to agree about Zarate, but when everyone fit who do you leave out?
If Zarate doesnt start now when will he… Its so obvious that Carroll and Zarate should start right now and even more so at home games I just dont understand the fat man some times
Blimey. Has the author caught BFS’s disease? Collins was NOT rock-solid – au contraire. Three glaring mistakes, as pro rata, plus being slightly out of position for much of the second half.
I declare, I do not understand this man-crush on “Ginge”. I would give him a 4 for effort, same as always. But he is rubbish.
🙂
You know Micheal that’s what makes this game great, so many others on other sites have Ginge down for MotM! I think he had a solid game too and I hope him and Tonks keep their places ahead of Reid on Tuesday.
The other player I liked was Aminfitano. He is a real quiet operator in my view. I think he might be one of Sams first picks because he will know the work he does for us.
I’d give the MOM to Cresswell for the goal and not really putting a foot wrong, Newcastle were very disappointing and I don’t remember Adrian making a save.
Carroll up on hus own is stupid, there was a vast difference when Zarate came on, someone with a bit of craft on the ball.
When they’re fit, Sakho, Valencia and Song would come straight back in – I’d expect Carroll, Amaltifano and Jarvis to make way.
What I noticed yesterday was how thin our squad looked with a couple of injuries. Cole, Vaz Te and Nolan should be nowhere near the First Team.
We have the strongest squared I can remember in years but you are right with 4 out in Reid, Song, Valencia and Sakho the bench looks light with Cole and Vaz on it. Nolan deserves a place on the bench for me. With those boys back we look strong again.
I think we are fine, I think our squad is as strong as most outside the so called big clubs.