what a chance
Should have been level there.
Fuck that was a great chance for Hooper. Smashing break. Well done to Sammy there in fairness and Hooper and Kayal did well, just couldnāt get it under control at the death.
What a chance for Hooper!!!
Fuck.
Forster has been dodgy in the opening moments.
Hoops should have scored there.
Canāt believe we gave Falcao - 17 goals in this competition last season - a free header after 3 minutes.
Anyway, letās see what happens.
3 defenders jumped with him so maybe unfair to single 1 out. Looked like zonal marking.
Correct. Iāll put it up on the appropriate thread later but on first viewing it looked like it was Loovens who could have gone and attacked it but didnāt. Brian Little was bang on in his analysis actually - zonal marking depends on players going and attacking the ball and he didnāt anyway. Not alone certainly though.
Hoops having early joy running down the channelsā¦
Playing okay. This may be the second phase, which I mentioned earlierā¦get comfortable and look like getting back into it before conceding again.
Weāre still playing well with the ball but we look all over the shop defensively. Canāt allow them to keep shooting from 20 yards with time and space.
I like the shape we are keeping.
Big John Hartson on Twitter:
āWe marked zones under Martin OāNeill, difference was when it came into your zone you made damn sure you headed it out!!ā
Perea looks quite uncomfortable at right back. Could be a chink in the Atletico line-up.
Mulgrew just about made it across there.
Agreed on our shape being good but surprised how flat-footed weāve been around the back. Any bit of movement of the ball looks like causing the back four problems.
Lazy lazy defending from Sammy. First of all he went for an interception instead of tracking the runner then had loads of time to get goalside of Perea and just dived it recklessly instead of putting in 5 hard yards.
Need to hold onto the ball here. Starting to turn it over cheaply now.
Just about to say the same. Mark Wilson gave it away poorly after we had worked hard to win it back a few minutes ago. Weāre letting them have it and dropping off which is fine and gives us a chance to regroup but when weāre happy to let them have it for spells we need to be careful when we do get it.
Ah thatās awful from Samaras. Either take on Perea or check inside and keep it. Pushed it ahead, went after it half-heartedly and gave away a stupid and obvious foul. Thatās the exact opposite of why heās in the team.
Jos Hooiveld is watching the game in a bookies. :lol:
He just posted a picture on Twitter.
Weāve lost our way now. Need to re-exert some control on the game and retain possession for a little while.
Young Forrest is putting in a good shift.