I doubt I am first to express that I had doubts when
Jakupovic came on against Arsenal. He
didn’t fill me with confidence previously but did commendably – saving some
shots which others would not have.
Jakupovic came on against Arsenal. He
didn’t fill me with confidence previously but did commendably – saving some
shots which others would not have.
Against Liverpool he was again a hero. Reading the forums, it seems that more fans
picked him as their man of the match than didn’t – personally I picked the
three centre backs as my joint men of the match, however the facts are that we
have had very few clean sheets this year and Jakupovic did not let a goal in,
nor made any glaring errors. This cannot
be said of McGregor this season.
picked him as their man of the match than didn’t – personally I picked the
three centre backs as my joint men of the match, however the facts are that we
have had very few clean sheets this year and Jakupovic did not let a goal in,
nor made any glaring errors. This cannot
be said of McGregor this season.
It is clearly too soon to judge the Jak, and the defensive
improvements are also to be attributed to Chester returning, an return to form
from Davies, and a greater understanding from Dawson.
improvements are also to be attributed to Chester returning, an return to form
from Davies, and a greater understanding from Dawson.
Also Jakupovic’s distribution could be improved.
If he keeps a clean sheet against free-scoring Southampton
then it might be difficult to bring McGregor back when he returns from injury.
then it might be difficult to bring McGregor back when he returns from injury.
The team performance on Saturday was a real battling
performance, all hands on deck defending duties, without much opportunity to go
forwards. It really reminded me of last
season, where we were more regularly under the kosh. This was an absolutely
fantastic point.
performance, all hands on deck defending duties, without much opportunity to go
forwards. It really reminded me of last
season, where we were more regularly under the kosh. This was an absolutely
fantastic point.
I think Liverpool did ok.
There was probably more in their performance for them to be happy about
than there was for Arsenal the week before.
I thought Gerrard still showed his class and was the most dangerous
player on the pitch. The much-maligned
Balotelli should have scored a last-second winner, however I would not give up
hope on him if I were a Liverpool fan.
He did ok against a very resolute defence.
There was probably more in their performance for them to be happy about
than there was for Arsenal the week before.
I thought Gerrard still showed his class and was the most dangerous
player on the pitch. The much-maligned
Balotelli should have scored a last-second winner, however I would not give up
hope on him if I were a Liverpool fan.
He did ok against a very resolute defence.
Had Liverpool started with Lambert also up front and the
very impressive Coutinho, they may well have been too much for us.
very impressive Coutinho, they may well have been too much for us.
So 3 games unbeaten from a tricky period and a total of 5
points. Next up is Southampton at home
and I wonder if we could spring a surprise?
points. Next up is Southampton at home
and I wonder if we could spring a surprise?
Then comes the impossible to beat Burnley, away, followed by
Tottenham at home and Man Utd away. 5
points from those 4 games would be very impressive.
Tottenham at home and Man Utd away. 5
points from those 4 games would be very impressive.