27 Nov 2015 18:38:57
So Ronny again. really? Left with out FOUR first pick midfield picks, and of course Commons unavailable, he had to go with young players. Hard enough domestically but horrendous in Europe. McGregor, pulled in after months on the fringe done okay, exceptionally so with his goal. Armstrong and Rogic adapted well to difficult holding roles, both are happier going forward, but done a shift for the team. Even Forrest covered his side.
After the goal we looked okay for 10-15 minutes, i was in fact quite impressed by our bravery to take a pass and play in tight angles, but Ajax were always going to have a spell. For me Gordon has to hold his hands up, get it? for the first. After it spins into the air he should have went through everyone and punched. Initially it was a rank rotten deflection, you noticed how they always fall to other teams in Europe?, So lousy luck.
Second again i hold Gordon to blame, near post? The cardinal sin for keepers. And he was well off his post. We also could have scored, more than once, if Griffiths had his shooting boots on. He was also guilty of not squaring twice to unmarked player
Lastly, Young Allen and Tierney. Balls of steel KT, what a find. Allen, jeeze i feel for the boy. A sublime pass, and i mean Pirlo like quality, to Griffiths should have won it. Caught short, lesson there for the boy about Europe, but showed he might be a vital link this season.
27 Nov 2015 23:05:37
GJ 10 Europa league games without a win if that is not RDs fault then who.
28 Nov 2015 05:23:12
Think you got the culprit here, GJ, and those who deserve credit. Forrest has been the only player for me with a relative consistency in Europe: looked willing if not always able. Tiernay, best of our lot. And surely time for Allen to get a run.
28 Nov 2015 09:15:19
I'm not a fan of Craig Gordon but for me Boyata shoulda stuck his head on the ball for their first. The second goal I can understand what CG was doing so don't really blame him for that either. I blame Armstrong for taking a short corner. What was he thinking! Put our big guys in the box then play it short does my head in!
28 Nov 2015 12:01:17
The same players are making the same errors every time and because we have failed to rectify our problem positions, deficiencies and surplus dross in several concecutive windows, we have nothing better to come in.
Gordon is having a really poor season and in all fairness needed a rest after playing a full season so well after a very long lay-off. Boyata and Simunovic have hardly played together - but will never be a Denayer/VVD pair and Lustig, Johansen, Brown and the Dundee Utd lads have all been a fraction of last seasons form and effectiveness.
The squad does have some great potential and a group of talented young players but needs some experience and reliability all over the pitch.
Like previous managers did with old heads brought in.
{Ed007's Note - Gordon isn't having a poor season, he's playing without the protection of van Dijk and Denayer in front of him and he cost us again on Thursday. If he spends any more time flapping about in no man's land he'll be up for a part in a John Lewis Christmas ad.}