IanBishopLegend7 wrote:I thought we played the best football I have seen for a very long time (for about 15 mins, after their goal).
The players showed they really have it in them, but I don't think anyone is really happy right now. In Bilics first season it would have been a comeback special. These days it's just sad to watch the motivation go from average then poor to abismal.
There was a period where we did indeed look coherent and threatening, as a team, as we moved the ball around nicely. However, with hindsight, two additional factors emerged
1. Brighton retreated to create a defensive shield, and
2. Even if we were dominant, we didn't consistently work their keeper.
The revelation is one many have already posted: Brighton had a game plan, had fit and capable players and deserved their comprehensive victory.
Looking at our team in the cold light of the morning:
1. The best thing people seem now prepared to say about Hart is that he is 'better than Randolph'. His attempt saving their first goal was poor (the 'saving arm' was pointing in the wrong direction!). That's 17 goals in 9 games now. He also started to get sloppy yesterday. I watched in the pub. A wag called out 'England's number one!' when he kicked the ball out under no pressure at all.
2. Despite playing well up the pitch, Zabaleta has now conceded 2 penalties in 9 games. He does however show drive and doesn't respond to the ball as if its made out of something radioactive.
3. The CB partnership are not terrible, but they share the blame for our generally porous defence. Glenn Murray is 34 years old. He took the piss last night.
4. Masuaku deserves a place in the team, but he should be further up the pitch
All of the above means that our defence is ripe for attack, even by promoted teams, playing away. They bided their time and took their chances well.
5. Kou and Obiang appear on paper to have the industry and craft to be a useful centre-mid partnership, but, as per, there are niggling question marks over precisely how good they are (and how well they will stand up to other teams set up in the same way). Yesterday, Obiang unwittingly nudged the ball sweetly into the path of the player to score their second, but also executed a perfectly timed tackle in our penalty area too. Some of his passing was a little wayward, but, again, despite the runner being offside, threaded an almost perfect ball between their CBs for what would have been an open goal.
6. Arnautovic doesn't come across as new or slow to adapt to our team. He has a facial expression that suggests that this is the first time he's ever seen the other lads with a football at their feet. He's an expensive misfit. Its not my money, etc, but who on earth thought he'd improve our team? He's clearly skilful, but that's not enough.
7. Lanzini huffed and puffed and had a few moments. The problem is that everyone seems to look to pass to him wherever they are, simply to get the spotlight off themselves. He dropped ever deeper yesterday; a risky tactic.
8. Antonio had a reasonable match. I am pretty sure that when he went down and needed treatment, he spewed up something. That explained why he was holding his chest when the opponent tackled his legs. His ball control was better than normal, but Hughton and his team had done their homework. Like other decent players, there was no proper connectivity with other team-mates. Zabaleta in an advanced position and Iron Mike might prosper, but it leaves a gaping hole behind them.
9. Hernandez is becoming a bit of an enigma. He's clearly a capable goal poacher, but, yesterday, he was pretty much marked out of the game, by a promoted side.
In conclusion, in terms of our 4 major signings none has clearly improved a team that just about deserved to stay up last season. The tactics are charitably described as basic and hopeful. Clean sheets will be a rarity.
We need a fairly major shake up to avoid the lottery of the league place that is dependent on how bad other teams around us turn out to be.
