City looked a lot tighter at the back today.
Distribution from defence much improved.
Did we only have 29% possession?
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City looked a lot tighter at the back today.
Distribution from defence much improved.
Did we only have 29% possession?
All I will add is, our centre halves never went walkaboutQuote:
Originally Posted by Forest Green Bluebird
Manga like the rest 'left nothing on the pitch' today.Quote:
Originally Posted by BLUETIT
Well obvious answer is no we didnt at all.
As mentioned in another thread it allowed peltier just to be a right back also- something he did exceptionally well.
I don't think Morrison or Manga ever strayed from their positions today, thus cutting down the opportunities for West Ham to get inbetween the lines.
Peltier and Bennett played like proper full-backs for a change, not having to cover the gaps that have often been down to misplaced passes etc.
I have always worried about Manga as a right back in particular, but also as a centre half, with a dangerous mistake in him every game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Forest Green Bluebird
Today he was brilliant. Morrison was fine alongside him.
The defence was excellent today.
:ayatollah:
Thought Manga was great today.
I don't think he lost an aerial duel today.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baloo
He did go 'walkabout' (2nd half) when nothing else was on, but calmly made a good pass.
If we are to go down then I hope he is given an extended contract.
Me too, but he seems to have cut the mistakes out now.Quote:
Originally Posted by rich munn
We really need to get him a new contract.
At this level he looks the best of our centre backs due to his composure on the ball and pace
Not today, but we went a goal up very early and West Ham didn't start playing until the last 15 minutes.
Yes, let's see what things look like against opponents that actually turn up.Quote:
Originally Posted by LeningradCowboy
We were helped by how slowly West Ham moved the ball, as in the main it allowed us to retain our shape comfortably. But there’s no doubt we looked better as a defensive unit with a proper right back in position and Manga looks far more comfortable at Centre back as he would. I think his extra pace there helped when he played alongside Bamba and will also help Morrison.Quote:
Originally Posted by the other bob wilson
But tougher tests are ahead starting with Hazard and Chelsea.
Thought Peltier in particular and Manga and Morrison were excellent today
Think it shows that Bruno should be first centre half on the team sheet, with Morrison or Bamba to join him. Morrison performed better paired with Bruno. Morrison was much better yesterday.
He wasn't missed yesterday but we have what, eight games left? I guarantee that we'll have at least one game where we come away thinking it would have been so much better if Bamba was on the pitch.
I'm sure Arter and Gunnarson had better games, knowing that both centre backs were behind them in their correct positions, rather than going off for a wander around the park.
I would agree with you, but in those eight games there would be occasions when we come away thinking that it would have been better if he wasn't on the pitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by surge