Well that was a yawn-fest if ever I saw one. For seemingly the umpteenth time this season, super Soucek saves our blushes again with a last-gasp winning goal writes Michael Talbot.
This was one of those “collector item games” when we had more than 50% possession but sadly only underlined how slow and laborious our build-up play is.
Super Soucek saves our blushes
Without Bowen and Kudus we look toothless in attack. I think we might regret Lucas Paqueta‘s move to City falling through, as for all his skills and tricks he gives the ball away far too much and rarely makes the killer pass everyone thinks he does – only one assist this season !
That was also Benrahma’s 150th game for us, apparently, and I think we can safely say he’s not good enough. Whilst Fornals has to move to another club where he can play in his proper position.
The only faint positives from that performance was Cornet’s ball for the goal, and the fact Soucek keeps scoring. Which was lucky because once Mubama was subbed no-one else was going to score for us.
Just as an aside, Group positions are decided by the head-to-head results. As we have already beaten Freiburg we are ahead of them on that basis, so we only need a draw in the return match at the London Stadium to go through as group winners.
Although this was not one which will live long in the memory it was an 18th win in 20 matches in Europe, so job done for Moyes and the Irons though hardly with any sort of style!
It is very easy to be critical of Soucek and how he plays. I dont see him as the problem. The fact is that he does not fit the style of football and players we are putting together with Steinden and Sullivan to the fore and a manager completely doing his own thing not aligned with the club strategy. The person to blame is Moyes, he is a very limited coach which is proven by lots of factor none more so than buying WP in the summer and putting most of his emphasis on goal getting from set plays. But there are so many examples all culmulating in the boring football we are currently being served and the dreadful performances. Soucek has a part to play but not as a starter, Losing 1-0 with 15 mins to go, needing to defend a 1-0 lead with 15 mins to go – but not starting games, not starting the game waiting for those final few mins and totally take away from team performances. Same with WP. Moyes is and will be the problem until he is sent packing or resigns, this cannot come soon enough.