23 Nov 2016 22:21:01
I might be in the minority tonight but I thought we played well, at least in the first half. We tired late in the game but that's expected. Our passing was sharp and accurate at times. I think this game has shown how much he we are improving.
I thought Scott Brown was exceptional yet again. His quick closing and strong tackling was first class. What a season he is having. Definitely looked the part against a team that people pitch a tent in their cacks for at every opportunity.
I also think the criticism of McGregor is harsh. He has his limitations but I thought he had a decent game. Sutton was giving him stick from kick-off, which was unwarranted. He obviously doesn't rate the lad but to continually harp on about the miss against Borrusia Hoochinfartbox (or however you spell it) is out of order. That game is gone and there is no point dwelling on it. Why didn't he have a go at Dembele for missing a penalty against Barcelona in Nou Camp and another sitter tonight?
I hope Sinclair is fit for Sunday nevermind tonight's result. Onwards and upwards.
23 Nov 2016 22:48:21
why was our tiring to be expected? Hate these comments as playing football is their only job so, at this level, tiring is a feeble excuse.
23 Nov 2016 23:29:17
I don't think we tired massively considering the chasing we did, just ran out of ideas. Brown put in a great shift but a threat through the middle isn't there. He is a ball winner/ percentage passer and his stats have been great. He has 1 more season playing that role before having to drop a bit deeper. Mcgregor and biton aren't the guys to make the difference beside him. A hard tackling creative cm is a must but it's fantasy football manager territory. Rogic is a great no 10 for 60 mins but we don't play that diamond shape in Europe, we can't. The guys that we knew weren't good enough weren't the others I think done thier best. No point being bitter. Every game we could of lost a few more goals and didn't. Scored a few great ones.
It's a start.
24 Nov 2016 00:35:11
TinyTim, because Barcelona are masters at keeping the ball and making you chase and chase until you're knackered. Our players are very fit but if you're chasing shadows then it's absolutely to be expected. I felt the team did very well tonight but at this level just lacked that final ball or bit of quality when it mattered.
24 Nov 2016 01:19:26
we haven't as healthy a life style over the years as Spanish teams have adopted . We are playing Catching up with the Spaniards re fitness . As Keybhoy posted Barcelona are very good at making the ball do the work , hence we had to work very hard to win back .
We did this, we could have scored and I think Suareez conned Izzy and referee into penalty.
24 Nov 2016 01:49:50
a***H***! Never liked him! AND HIS BIG TEETH!
24 Nov 2016 07:11:03
TinyTim the point I was making about getting tired was explained by Kev. Barcelona controlled the game with 2/ 3rds of the possession. I think I read at the end of the game that their passing accuracy was 88%. We were also behind for most of the game. All this would suggest we were chasing the game in every aspect and were bound to run out of steam.
As for calling McGregor an arsehole Davie, well that's your opinion. Don't know the lad personally to comment. I think he tried hard last night. I said previously that I think he has his limitations. He wouldn'the be my first choice selection but the manager pitched him in and obviously thought he was the right choice on the night. Not all of us will agree. Unfortunately for him I think his days are numbered as I expect to see us reinforce in January.
I am not going to say that there is no shame in getting beaten 2-0 by Barcelona as I hate loosing to anyone. It was an encouraging performance but I feel there is still improvement to be found in our team.
24 Nov 2016 07:11:21
I don't think we tired physically it was more of a mental tiredness.
There second was a real sucker punch and just after we had a good chance pretty deflating.
Still far better than the last time we played them.
24 Nov 2016 09:20:38
I agree thought we played well, and held our own, but to be beaten by messi, and a penalty that Suarez made from nothing.
It was a tough group, and but for a bit of composure and luck, I think we could have won a couple of games. A couple of better quality players and hopefully the same improvements next year.
24 Nov 2016 09:49:54
Agree about brown mate, thought he played really well! Controlled aggression and always looking for the ball! Been a critic of him in the past but he's really came on to a game under BR! Just think we're lacking in some departments. mcgegor for me isn't the answer in there!
There was a point just into the 2nd half when the ball broke to him just outside there box with nobody near him and he took 5 touches before he had a poor shot at goal! Was really poor! And izzy showed why wee KT is the undisputed number one LB. that was schoolboy defending for that penalty!
Yes Suarez is a dirty bastard but it was a clear foul! But all in all it's been a good experience for the players and we've earned some good money from this! On to Sunday and picking up the first trophy of the treble! Looking forward to it already! ðŸ€ðŸ€HH.
24 Nov 2016 09:59:08
Tinytim, chasing the world's best would be tiring you wouldn't get a second to breath with there movement compared to what we are used to.
24 Nov 2016 18:42:30
Tiring mental would be a bigger problem Han physically becoming tired . We can easily push ourselves through physical tiredness, I am not sure we can over come mental tiredness as easily.