Team V PAOK

[Paolo10]

We need more strength in depth, it's so obvious. Bit unlucky, if it had've been a boxing match it'd have been stopped. Credit to PAOK for a Rocky-esque victory.

Really not bothered though, hope we don't qualify tbh. Concentrate on the league.

 

[mike_l]

What's the point of even going for the Champion's League if our squad players are so crap, we'd be stretched out again. Can't mount a two-pronged assault anyways.

I half feel sorry for them, it can't be easy to be thrown together every few weeks with no competitive practice to prepare.

But on the other hand they should be pushing the first teamers and forcing their way intp PL matches not just waiting to be called upon in the cups. And if their only chances do come in the cups they need to damn well make them count.

 

[srups34]

It still depends on the last results though as to whether we can still go through or not. It could still happen.

We are as good as out. Both those teams will play for a draw. :-(

 

[Paolo10]

Bloody iPhones...

 

[kernowspur]

We do not deserve to go through. Playing ten men for over half the game and very few chances created. It was clear after 25 minutes that Corluka and Pienaar were having terrible games and should have been substituted before, or at least at, half-time. Harry bottled it though and kept Pienaar n for too long and left Corluka on for the whole game.
It is also clear that Kane is unlikely to make the grade, tried hard but pretty ineffective.
Shows just how much we are dependent on our starting eleven plas one or two at present.

 

[mike_l]

Trying to find a positive I thought Falque looked more lively than most of them when he came on and tried to make things happen. Maybe should have started ahead of Kane?

Chirpy would have been a better option than Kane tonight.

 

[felmani26]

Well I'm looking forward to BC picking the bones out of that one!

 

[Narnill]

Need more strength in depth?

Our back line tonight was fine in terms of personnel. But form and lack of minutes this season is the reason they were so sloppy.

I don't think 'better players' would've done any better, every player gets rusty.

 

[Mr Pink]

Personally I think we were fucking about far too tentatively and lacked real purpose and conviction with our movement and passing.

What is was crying out for was some bursts through the centre to disrupt their shape a bit and pull some of their defenders out of position.

 

[muppetman]

I can only hope that this makes the chairman realise our squad isn't good enough. We need to strengthen in quite a few areas if we want to be in for more than the PL.

 

[felmani26]

At least Crystal Palace are winning at OT in extra time so hopefully they will take the brunt of the media coverage!

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

It's like last season all over again.

Team for Shamrock?

 

[danielneeds]

Too many players searching for form and fitness in the 1st half, you can't afford to carry Pienaar, Gallas, Corluka, Rose and a raw Kane against a really up for it European outfit.

In the long-term I don't think going out of the Europa League will do us too much harm, infact it could help us come the 2nd half of the season. Really want a good run in the FA Cup now though.

 

[Wsussexspur]

It's a shame that Niko & tommy Hudd & Dawson missed pretty much the whole Europa campaign.

 

[mike_l]

Need more strength in depth?

Our back line tonight was fine in terms of personnel. But form and lack of minutes this season is the reason they were so sloppy.

I don't think 'better players' would've done any better, every player gets rusty.

This is right, you can have the strongest reserve squad around and it would count for shit if the only matches they play are every fortnight for 6 games per year.

 

[MR_BEN]

God even Pav would probably of scored a few tonight...Eek

Now you are taking the piss.

 

[Mr Pink]

Another thing, two thirds of our team looked rusty as fuck, like they hadn't kicked a football in five years...touch was truly poor on so many occasions tonight.

Rose, Bassong, Gallas, Corluka and Pineaar looked so rusty it was unreal.

 

[kazzah9]

Having a 'good' squad means nothing if they cant play well together

 

[Graysonti]

Do we deserve to go tonight

Fans and players have taken comp like the training/two bob comp it is.

I had a ticket for tonight but decided to watch on tv

Let's concentrate on league

The positive us no more Ch 5, awful coverage

 

[AngerManagement]

Harry Kane makes me long for Raisak, I seriously do not think he will ever make it as a first teamer with us.

I just don't see any qualities in his game that suggest he will ever be good enough, his movement is poor, his finishing is not good, he has his head down always and he doesn't look mobile enough.

Poor night all round and we don't have a hope in hells chance of progressing now, but we treated this competition with contempt (rightfully in my opinion) and we don't deserve to progress based on the way we have played in pretty much every game aside Hearts away.

Never mind, bigger fish to fry and while its embarrassing to lose to them having played such a strong team it is not our priority and you do have to give PAOK respect for the level of effort and commitment they put in to win a game they desperately wanted to and probably deserved to.