Captain wrote:
Can't agree that we don't have the players to compete one-on-one mate.
Even yesterday we won almost every duel, our midfield easily controlled them and our defence was barely tested for most of the game; Bale for instance had to go and seek the ball in other areas of the pitch because Sagna was dominating him, Van Der Vaart for all the hype was nowhere to be seen barring the set-pieces and their central midfield was invisible.
Surrendering a two goal lead is never 'unlucky' but it had nothing to do with not being able to battle, it had alot to do with lacking quality in at least three key positions.
In the first half, sure, I agree entirely. However, second half Denilson, Song and Fabregas went from being first to every ball, victor in every 50/50 to second to every ball and on the wrong end of every 50/50.
That's where I think athleticism and power in this team is a big problem. Can Denilson run as hard for 90 minutes as he did for 45? Can he do that for 40 or 50 games a season? Can Alex Song, can Cesc Fabregas? Arshavin ran his socks off first half, but was absolutely dead in the second half - suddenly you've got a 5'4" midget on the left wing who can't run.
The midfield running like they did first half is what's needed to make this team work. Suddenly the back 4 is protected, as it should be. Even then we're still woefully vulnerable to a long ball or a set-piece because, as you said, our defence, and centrebacks in particular, aren't exactly brilliant or reliable. And what really worries me is that I don't believe the midfield can or will play like they did in the first half yesterday, consistently. I don't think they have the needed athleticism or power, or even the inclination to run that hard every week. Or the quality for that matter.
I agree that we nullified their good players well. Van der Vaart may have had an impact on the game, but he was rubbish in general play. Don't rate him anyway, in fact can't stand him - him and Sneijder are like long lost brothers. Bale was dangerous when he got the ball, but Sagna handled him really well for the most part. Modric was okay, but struggled to influence the game much at all really.
