I quite enjoyed the game apart from the moaning bastards around me who moaned about everything even at one point calling the substitutions "Jackett like". It was never going to be pretty with that line up but when we went up a gear and moved the ball quickly in the final third some of the football was fantastic. Even with it being disjointed it was still much better than last year. Someone needs to tell out fans that last man doesn't mean automatic red card these days either as everyone round me was adamant it was a red card.
On the players;
Lonergan - Actually worse than he thought he was, in both cup games now he hasn't looked good enough. Made an excellent save at 1-0 but that's as good as it got, doesn't talk and does not command his area. Every time the ball got put in the box he looked nervous and nearly cost us right at the end. If he communicates we don't concede.
Coady - Looks decent enough at right back, got forward well and defended well enough.
Iorfa - Had a pretty poor game to tell the truth, never really looked on it from the start and struggled to pick it up but was better in the second half though. Panicked for their goal clearing it straight in to Hause and then making it worse with a poor header.
Hause - Wasn't very good in the first half, passing was sloppy and like Iorfa just didn't seem with it. Improved massively after the break though and came forward with the ball well 2 or 3 times and won some very important headers when it was clear Lonergan wasn't going to get it.
Saville - Struggled at left back, didn't track runs and at times there was a gaping hole that was covered only sometimes by Price. Improved when he moved in to midfield.
Henry - Just a game of going through the motions, didn't do a lot and then missed a penalty with a poor effort.
Prince - Can pick out a pass and did so well a few times early on. He isn't as physical as he looks though and needs to get used to the English game.
Price - Neat and tidy as usual, positioning isn't great defensively though when playing in front of the back 4 as he allows the ball to go in between him and the 2 centre backs far too easy which is the reason he doesn't play there. Set pieces not as good as they have been.
Teixeira - Too many needless flicks and should not play midfield again. Much better playing a wider role where he drifts in. Still looked creative and a threat but needs to work on his shooting.
Wallace - Another good performance and deservedly got a goal and could have had at least 1 more. Looks like he will only get better and i have no idea how we sent him out on loan last year.
Costa - Not a front man and that was obvious but lead the line well in a different way, pulling wide and getting in to very dangerous positions. Scored one, set up one, won a penalty and had another couple of decent chances.
SUBS
Edwards - Didn't do a lot, he runs around but it's obvious he doesn't have the quality on the ball of the rest.
Doherty - Came forward well from left back again but does go too early at times.
Bodvarsson - Looked a big threat again and that he has good feet for quite a big lad
