Random reflections on last night:
- Went into the game expecting to view Granada as a likeable team that punches above its weight through hard work and ingenuity. Like a Spanish Brighton. A game you're obviously desperate to win but where you have a sneaking admiration for the opponent if they better you, like when Bielsa's Bilbao knocked us out. This didn't last long. A really dirty side, with a lot of not just tactical fouls, but nasty ones.
- Other than creativity in set piece routines, there wasn't anything not admire in their football either: they had read the manual about sitting deep to deny us space, but they lacked the resources to effectively attack on the counter.
- The referee enabled Granada to hack with impunity while three of our yellow cards were soft. If it had stayed at 0-1 those second leg suspensions might have been more worrying. As it was, karma struck, with Duarte injuring himself while attempting to injure Dan James, and the referee proving he was rubbish, rather than bent, in the penalty decision.
- Lindelof has put in a number of similarly flawless performances in defence. He gets a lot of hate because there are certain types of games where he isn't strong enough, and ultimately that's reason enough to conclude he and Maguire shouldn't be our first-choice pairing, which effectively means Lindelof shouldn't be our first-choice centre back. But those 'can't remember a worse CB at the club' opinions should at least acknowledge that he's vulnerable in certain environments and pretty good in others.
- Also a word to those who resist this silly fad of wanting defenders who can pass the ball well and their job is to defend, dammit! If Chris Smalling had been on the ball when Rashford made his run, the likelihood of him attempting and perfectly executing that pass would have been substantially lower, and maybe we'd have approached the 90-minute mark at 0-0 with a frustrated team and a buoyant opponent. That's not a comment on the relative merits of keeping Lindelof and letting Smalling go. Obviously, defensive excellence should be a prerequisite for a centre back. But I think it's a reminder that we should demand the highest standards in both aspects.
- Tired legs and sore ankles against Spurs. I'd really like to find a way to limp over the line in the next game.
Granada
posted on 9/4/21
Agree with the OP too. Didn't really know what to expect from Granada, but was surprised by how toothless they were in attack. The ref was atrocious too.
Lindelof was very good and showed again that he is better in European competition than against run of the mill EPL sides.
posted on 9/4/21
Not really sure what you were expecting from a team that's punching above their weight despite having Soldado as their main striker
posted on 9/4/21
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 42 minutes ago
Lindelof is a good player who rarely lets us down on the big occasion. Yes he’s not perfect but people calling him useless are clueless.
Certainly someone I’d keep at the club long term just maybe not be in the team every week.
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Yes, he's decent back-up for me but we need a better all-round partner for Harry.
posted on 9/4/21
comment by Wilshere said it best (U21076)
posted 22 minutes ago
Not really sure what you were expecting from a team that's punching above their weight despite having Soldado as their main striker
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I didn't have particularly concrete expectations of Granada, but I went into the game with a lot of good will for them. If I'd known in advance we'd win 2-0 I'd have expected to have looked back on a satisfying result and feeling a bit bad for the plucky Andalusians. The way they played, I had no sympathy for the dirty b@stards.
posted on 9/4/21
Not sure the attack on Smalling by the OP was really necessary. Yes Mike might not have been able to pull off that one pass.
But Mike would have headed the ball away for Brighton’s goal and quite a few others we have conceded this season.
And Mike would have done a better job of heading at goal from a set piece than Victors lame attempt in the second half. Victor should remain at the back for our corners and free kicks.
He did have a good game yesterday though so fair play. He just didn’t have a good game often enough.
posted on 9/4/21
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 3 minutes ago
Not sure the attack on Smalling by the OP was really necessary. Yes Mike might not have been able to pull off that one pass.
But Mike would have headed the ball away for Brighton’s goal and quite a few others we have conceded this season.
And Mike would have done a better job of heading at goal from a set piece than Victors lame attempt in the second half. Victor should remain at the back for our corners and free kicks.
He did have a good game yesterday though so fair play. He just didn’t have a good game often enough.
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It wasn't intended as an attack on Mike Smalling. I specifically pointed out that I wasn't commenting on the merits of keeping him vs Lindelof, and on balance I agree with you. As I said, excellence in defending is also a prerequisite. My point was really that at this level a top centre back needs to be both a good at neutralising attacks and good at starting them. Being able to pass the ball well shouldn't be seen as an optional extra. And therefore neither Smalling nor Lindelof are quite good enough to be first choice for our club.
posted on 9/4/21
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 2 hours, 40 minutes ago
Lindelof is a good player who rarely lets us down on the big occasion. Yes he’s not perfect but people calling him useless are clueless.
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Stop watching football man. Lindelof has let us down plenty of times and on big occassions too. He was good last night but let's not forget he is not a defender who you want starting regularly if you want to start challenging for the league.
Europa league is his level. The moment he has to battle a 6ft+ striker he craps his pants.
posted on 9/4/21
Europa league is his level. The moment he has to battle a 6ft+ striker he craps his pants.
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I hadn't realised that the EL imposed height restrictions on centre-forwards!
posted on 9/4/21
The officiating last night was awful
posted on 9/4/21
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 9 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 1 second ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by Geoff Tipps (U1449)
posted 5 minutes ago
Was working last night so didn’t see game, why did Shaw go off?
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I didn't hear an official explanation but:
- He was one of the players on a yellow
- We seemed pretty comfortable at 1-0 and it seemed like we took the decision to give others (Pogba, Rashford) an early bath with the weekend in mind
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Ole said he had a knock but it’s nothing serious and he should be ok for Sunday.
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(Never bothered learning how to add emojis)
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That kind of makes you like a defender that can't pass. You need to learn to do both RR.
Anyway, I wish our defenders would make passes like that more often.