- Jul 26, 2005
- 1,312
- 2,584
Despite an Excellent Carling cup win and some encouraging performances against United, have we really played that well since Ramos took over?
Last year (seville 2nd leg apart) we were magnificent in Europe - I don't recall one good performance in the UEFA cup this season? I would question the inclusion of Gilberto tonight. I am not going to judge him on 45 minutes, and I am sure he will come good, but why risk him against what turned out to be an excellent/well drilled PSV side?..I still don't know what Lee has done to not be picked since the Ar5ena1 drubbing?..he may not be spectacular but he his solid and does a job.
Playing PSV tonight, I tried through red wine tinted glasses to imagine it as a Champions League game...PSV are Champions League quality...so how does are squad match upto a Champions League side?
Goalkeepers -- Robbo kept us in it tonight but him and Cerny are not good enough for top 4 or indeed a Champions League side.
Defence -- Woodgate, King (if fit), Hutton are top 4 quality, Dawson, Kaboul are good back ups and Bale, Gunter, Gilberto need more experience/games. Chimbomba (as Pleat called him tonight) can go, he shows no passion or effort for me.
Midfield -- Malbranque, Lennon are premiership quality only. So frustrated with Lennon - he has so much pace but just does not use it to great effect - no end product what-so-ever. Jenas alongside a commanding rugged midfielder would be excellent we just don't have that rugged midfielder so 3 out of 4 midfield slots need filling I think. Huddlestone, O'hara, Taarbat are good squad players. Last point on midfield - I still don't understand why Tainio does not get the holding midfielder role for the rest of the season, he did well on Fabregas in the Ar5ena1 drubbing.
Strikers -- Berbatov and Keane are quality but with no decent service even they struggle. No Bent on the bench tonight (was he injured)...don't think he will be with us past the summer so 2 strikers required to supplement Keane and Berbatov.
So a long winded way of saying we need at least 1 goalkeeper, 3 midfielders and 2 strikers to even consider a top 4 - Champions League spot.
The hard work begins for Ramos now, I don't doubt he will get the 3 wins required to secure Premiership safety, but more silverware added to the Carling Cup this season? - I don't think so...the honeymoon is definately over.
Last year (seville 2nd leg apart) we were magnificent in Europe - I don't recall one good performance in the UEFA cup this season? I would question the inclusion of Gilberto tonight. I am not going to judge him on 45 minutes, and I am sure he will come good, but why risk him against what turned out to be an excellent/well drilled PSV side?..I still don't know what Lee has done to not be picked since the Ar5ena1 drubbing?..he may not be spectacular but he his solid and does a job.
Playing PSV tonight, I tried through red wine tinted glasses to imagine it as a Champions League game...PSV are Champions League quality...so how does are squad match upto a Champions League side?
Goalkeepers -- Robbo kept us in it tonight but him and Cerny are not good enough for top 4 or indeed a Champions League side.
Defence -- Woodgate, King (if fit), Hutton are top 4 quality, Dawson, Kaboul are good back ups and Bale, Gunter, Gilberto need more experience/games. Chimbomba (as Pleat called him tonight) can go, he shows no passion or effort for me.
Midfield -- Malbranque, Lennon are premiership quality only. So frustrated with Lennon - he has so much pace but just does not use it to great effect - no end product what-so-ever. Jenas alongside a commanding rugged midfielder would be excellent we just don't have that rugged midfielder so 3 out of 4 midfield slots need filling I think. Huddlestone, O'hara, Taarbat are good squad players. Last point on midfield - I still don't understand why Tainio does not get the holding midfielder role for the rest of the season, he did well on Fabregas in the Ar5ena1 drubbing.
Strikers -- Berbatov and Keane are quality but with no decent service even they struggle. No Bent on the bench tonight (was he injured)...don't think he will be with us past the summer so 2 strikers required to supplement Keane and Berbatov.
So a long winded way of saying we need at least 1 goalkeeper, 3 midfielders and 2 strikers to even consider a top 4 - Champions League spot.
The hard work begins for Ramos now, I don't doubt he will get the 3 wins required to secure Premiership safety, but more silverware added to the Carling Cup this season? - I don't think so...the honeymoon is definately over.