by Ian Royal »
28 Oct 2010 20:16
Just enjoyed the full match online and a couple of beers.
First of all Peter Hood & David Armstrong hang your heads in shame. THAT is what real commentary should be like. Fantastic from the Burnley team. I didn't agree with it all but it was measured, intelligent calm and constantly focused on the game.
I think the score line flattered us, a lot. Whilst we were clearly the better side and in control most of the game on another day Burnley could have had two or three before we scored our second missing out on two possible penalties (although I agree with the Burnley man -Clarke Carlisle?- that it was a stonewall penalty for Bikey taking out Karacan second half)
Most of the game we struggled with the usual problem of creating clear cut chances, whilst Burnley struggled to have anything of the game but created several good shots or opportunities to score. As for the ref, some strange decisions and clear got a fair bit wrong, but probably balanced over the game and his discipline and control of the players was excellent, even if he gave a few things quite badly the wrong way. Intelligent reffing on the whole.
Federici - 8 not a great deal to do, but some crucial good saves to keep a clean sheet.
Griffin - 7 not to the standard I'd come to expect from last season, a couple of dodgy moments but good all round.
Harte - 7 a good performance, done for pace a couple of times but no real problems
Mills - 7 solid, but very lucky with a couple of decisions IMO
Khiz - 8 near faultless, a couple of dodgy passes and a slip is all he did wrong.
Karacan - 7 busy performance tidying up in midfield, seemed to be asked to sit back more than I thought he'd played recently
Howard - 8 ran our midfield well and exactly what we've been missing there, quick feet and vision. A good playmakers performance
Tabb - 9 suberb. Strong running, kept Cork really quiet and lovely interchanges with Howard amongst others. MOTM. A fantastically weirdly defensive display in an attacking midfield position. Not sure it'll work long-term, but well worth sticking with.
McAnuff - 7 really needs to work on his finishing but a well taken goal and lots of positives.
HRK - 7 exciting ability but doesn't quite play the final ball or have things come off just yet.
Long - 8 great work upfront, caused real problems got a good assist all the grunt work well. Doesn't look like ever scoring in open play.
Church - 6 largely anonymous but seemed to be asked to play in midfield (thanks Brian that cools my interest in him in the hole) but he scored - even if it was a skewed cross.
Antonio - 6 awful miss, good running and effort and a goal even I couldn't have missed.
McDermott - 8 lucky, but tactically absolutely spot on after being out thought by Rodgers.
EDIT: One thing we did a hell of a lot better than against Swansea was get men beyond Long and close in around him when the ball went up to him in the air. Against Swansea McAnuff, HRK, Long & Kebe were rarely near each other.
