Watched the game on Prem Plus...
I think the gradual effect of Roeder's game cost us the win there tbh. We've become far, far, far too negative. I thought we played well, in general, and there were plenty of plus points - but by God we should have taken them to the cleaners tbh. It's a big shame that Dyer got injured, because they seemed to be inviting pressure a lot in the first half, and we looked dangerous with two strikers.
It's a good point, no doubt about it, though - and i'd have taken that beforehand. Can't help but feel a little bit disappointed though.
Plus Points:
/ Taylor was very solid at the back, and appears to be really up for it. I still think he's going to be a very good player.
/ Nobby Solano is just a warhorse. Class defensively, innovative going forward. We don't need a right-back in the summer, i don't reckon.
/ Carr looked relatively competent - not great but not bad.
/ Butt did his job superbly - unfortunately Emre wasn't really at the races, but this partnership has so much potential. It's a real shame that Parker is guaranteed a starting spot.
/ Duff appears to be improving, gradually. Disappeared in the second half - granted, but it's not his fault he didn't get taken off.
/ Martins was creative in the first half, but don't expect him to play with any damage when he's upfront on his own.
/ N'Zogbia returned
Negative Points:
/ We were too negative.
/ The game pretty much confirmed to me that Onyewu is not worth keeping on, which is a real shame because he's got the physique to do it in the EPL.
/ Given and Dyer's injuries.
/ Emre wasn't at the races, but then he hasn't played an awful lot of football, tbh. Still really hope he stays.
/ Emre continues to be given set pieces.
/ N'Zogbia was brought on as a centre-midfielder, when it is absolutely blindingly obvious, so blinding that your retinas are under threat, that he is a winger.
Steve Harper - 6. Nothing to comment on, really. One of his kicks was gash.
Nolberto Solano - 7. I'd be tempted to give him man of the match. Defensively, as we have seen time and again, he was sound and organised, and that clearance(s) off the line was exceptional. He was creative going forward aswell, he wanted us to score. Nobby is an absolutely key player, and it's performances like this that have confirmed to me that he needs to be the right-back next season. He can still do it.
Steven Taylor - 8. I thought it was an excellent performance from Taylor. Not only was he good defensively, challening for balls, winning tackles everywhere and getting up for headers - but he had a real desire in their penalty box. He gives us bite - which is what we crave, because we are so negative. MOTM.
Oguchi Onyewu - 5. He's just not doing it for me. I know that he's never had a consistent partner, and he's knew to the league, but he's getting the basics wrong. He's very erratic. When it's him and an attacker through on goal, he lacks in confidence and doesn't seem to know whether to slide in, whether to block off, or whether to grab the ball and pass. He made one crunching tackle, but it's just not enough for someone who is 'gifted' with his physique.
Stephen Carr - 5.9. Hmm... Carr was alright. But he holds us back terribly. He wasn't particularly bad, and it'd be unfair to slate him for that performance, but he just lacks so much. He got the ball and passed it fine - but he offers absolutely nothing going forward, due to a lack of pace - and seemingly lack of intelligent footballing brain. But he was fairly strong at the back.
James Milner - 6. He came in fits and spurts did Milner, and i think he - along with Duff especially in the second half - didn't get enough of the ball. I think he could have had Clichy a good couple of times and there were some intelligent runs through the centre from the likes of Martins, when Milner had the ball. He was alright, but didn't have the effect on the game that he usually has.
Nicky Butt - 7. Butt was told to go out there and do a defensive job. Win the ball and stop Arsenal in their tracks - halt their fancy passing play and just get stuck in. And he did that very well, he was a thorn in their side. He and Emre got a bit caught up a few times but i don't think that was down to him. Good player and a good performance.
Belozoglu Emre - 5. I'm going to be fairly harsh on Emre, because he simply wasn't at the races when we desperately needed him to be. We needed him to be the innovative, creative one - helping the strikers and getting the ball forward. But he wasn't, he was all over the place really, and ran into brick walls. His set pieces were dire, aswell. But i still like him, he could be such a good player for us.
Damien Duff - 6. Duff was OK in the first half. He got the ball and used it well, and teased the defense at times. He really faded out as the second half progressed, though, and should have been withdrawn early on in the second period.
Obafemi Martins - 6. Oba did quite well in the first period - he mixed things up, played the ball well, and was generally a nuisance. When Dyer went off though, and not replaced by any striker of any sort whatsoever, Martins just wasn't in it. Especially considering Emre was so wayward with his attacking approach; Martins excellent flick ons and, surprisingly good, control of the ball - he didn't really have a hope. He was alright, though.
Kieron Dyer - 6. Not bad, but never really in it, and got injured. Not a lot to say tbh.
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Charles N'Zogbia - 5. Did nothing. Isn't a centre-midfielder. Good to see him back but get him on the left for God's Sake.
