Strange game that. There were many promising aspects but also some worrying ones. Enzio was absolutely top draw the whole way through, seemed to be enjoying playing further up the field and the team completely lost their focus and pressure when he came off. Baffling decision for Kewell if he wasn't injured.
Defence looked quite effective at times but gave away at least 2 weak goals, and seemed to be missing when it mattered most. Young was good and played a big part in most of our attacks. TV was completely annonymous, not helped by the fact that he was heavily marked the whole way through and the referee repeatedly ignored his shirt getting pulled, but still would expect better from the big lad going forward.
First goal was an odd one. Free kick decision seemed strange...I would have given it the other way. As said above, massive deflection and Morris totally wrong footed. The second goal.A petulant challenge then no marking at a basic near post delivery. That to me was worrying.Schoolboy stuff on both parts.
Then Enzio creates one for himself. Brilliant control and run and a fine finish, again the keeper routed to the spot. Then Enzio comes off. Best player on the pitch, and 30 minutes of looking half decent is completely undone.
I hope Enzio took a knock.If not then it's the most mind boggling decision I've seen with regards to withdrawing a player.
There's loads we can discuss about the match,but for me the first discusdion should be about Harry Kewell. Why did he set up with 5 at the back and one up top and then clearly instruct the players to play out from the back at a snail's pace.All Port Vale had to do was sit back and wait for us to give the ball straight to them or let us kick it out of touch.God we were crap in that first half.
Second half we played much better.We attacked with pace and Enzio was on fire.He scored a fantastic goal and was causing Port Vale huge problems and then got taken off.What the fuck was that all about.I think the whole stadium was stunned by that decision.It is the most bizarre decision I've ever witnessed at the Broadfield stadium and without doubt contributed to there 3rd goal and our defeat.
Well there were some positives - Enzio was good, Young had his best game in a while, Evina is an improvement at LB and we looked a bit more combative in midfield.
Sadly we are still weak at centre back and had nothing up front really. A few flicks from Thomas but generally no one else within 20 yards.
I was gobsmacked when we took Enzio off, he looked our best chance of a second goal.
Early days yet, but it confirmed my thoughts that it will be a long hard season.
All 3 sups made the team weaker. Lewis no impact Cox wtf Payne wtfffffff
Kewel clueless
Dont agree at all about Payne, before that and amazingly we had a centre back in Yorwerth looking as though he had been given a free ranging role in midfield and looking totally lost. With Payne on we started to move the ball around better. Probably agree about Cox as yes we passed it around nicely but with no threat once Enzio had gone off which is probably the worst substitution I have ever seen made, and we are told as supporters we know nothing about football! Some nice football played at times, Young got some decent crosses but we have no threat apart from Enzio running at players and I suspect other teams will soon cotton on to that? Verheydt looked as bad this week as he was decent last week (admittedly that was a PSF), how he stayed on I have no idea, but then we didnt even have our other forward Camara on the bench, is he injured (I discount Harrold as he is a immobile as Verheydt was today)? Where are the goals to come from?
First half was really poor from us. We were predictable, we kept persisting with passing it around at the back, but had no midfielders showing for the ball so just ended up lumping it up to no one.
Whatever the manager wanted from the players wasn't working.
Port Vale were an average side and we struggled against them at times.
Second half was much better, when Payne came on we seemed to get hold of the midfield more and Enzio scored a cracking solo goal and the momentum was with us.
Then again we let ourselves down with some sloppy defending and the game was out of sight at 3-1.
A poor performance overall, but there were some positives we can take going forward.
Enzio was on fire and was causing their defence all sorts of problems and when he cuts inside you know something can happen. As others have said, strange decision to take him off when he looked liked scoring again.
Randall was composed in midfield with his passing and looked to make things happen, he seems to have something about him. He can be a bit sloppy with the ball at times though.
Lelan, for all his criticism, did a decent job at centre half on the whole.
TV wins lots of flick on's, but isn't the most mobile and needs players around him. He can't play up front on his own! Would like to see Camara given a chance to play up front with him, he'd give us a bit of pace up front alongside our wide players.
There's lots we need to improve on if we are to do any better than last seasons dismal showing, but we're only 1 game into the season so it's very much early days, but things have to improve.
Very poor first half, better second but why was Enzio taken off? The best player on the park today and that sub killed the game and led to 3-1
few people rightfully askung why MOM Enzio went off....overheard someone ask did Lewis even touch the ball....and he didnt mean young who helped an improved Reds team after the interval by pushing forward. Dreadful defending yet again destroyed what looked like a possible come back. Finally the penny dropped for Harry and Yorworth was taken off for an energetic Cox. Ironically it was Young though that provided some great crosses. Vale keeper un particular persisted wasting time and the ref adeed to this with a weak performance failing to punish the dirty Northernees tactics.
Summing up we had moments but add to that an average at best Porky Vale sat back somewhat leading 2-0 theres still an awful lot of work to do to even compete at this level never mind kick on. Priority must be defending and Connoly's stupid lengthy contract suggests we are going to be in a lot of trouble at the back. Captain Bullman was no longer fantastic and really average overates him. Off the pace and looked past it to me.
As for TV i wouldnt have minded some of those Dutch replays today...boom boom!! My point though is he did what he could I thought Porky Vale did a good job on bullying him outta the game often doubling up and with our team mates often too wide any flick ons etc werent capitalised upon.
Enzio was superb today. You can only presume he was injured to be subbed, but he showed no signs and nearly scored just beforehand so it was strange.
Some of the same issues as last year. Giving away cheap free kicks around the box and poor marking. Lelan and Connolly poor today.
Lelan poor today what game were you watching he was by far and away our best defender today.
Being our best defender today doesn't mean he wasn't poor. He has never convinced me as a centre back at this level. Basic defending such as not letting long balls bounce, marking and positioning was only on display from Port Vale today in my opinion.