NaijaFox

I hope they’re at least good with support… Just realized they’re charging me for both the video and audio services.

You mean the one he cleverly and adroitly lifted over the GK. It’s a game of inches, sometimes it deflects in and sometimes out. No one else in blue even came that close tonight (sans CB Vestergaard).

He didn’t make first choice under three managers simply because of a LEGEND called Vardy. Let’s quit making up “new-fangled” reality. BTW, I am NOT “also Nigerian”. Granted I was resident in Lagos when I joined FT, but even if I was it’s not mutually exclusive with stating factual opinions.

Not talking of “on target” or “off target” and all sorts of new-fangled stats.

It’s not. It’s hitting the bar or post.

He’s not your “typical” centre-forward and has always often moved around just to get a hold of the ball - with varying degrees of success. Nonetheless, it is a “tactic” when the coach elects to utilize specific skills or tendencies of individual players to prosecute the game plan.

May well be, but he still didn’t “miss” the chances. Both things are NOT mutually exclusive.

I think that’s most likely the game-plan. However, unless you have other players running behind the defense (particularly into the areas vacated by the pursuing CBs.defenders), it can become an ineffective (even constraining) tactic.

He didn’t “miss” them - one was only denied by a stellar save and the other came off the bar. No one else in blue (sans Vestergaard) even came close.

Not your “typical” centre-forward. And often “looks” (emphasis) too casual. Yet (apart from Vestergaard’s header), worked our two best scoring chances- only to be denied by a reflex save by their GK and the post. Perhaps that’s why Enzo left him in. He (sometimes) can have a subpar performance and still find his way to the back of the net (or thereabouts). Meanwhile, the amount of times he dropped way deep (even to virtually the edge of our eighteen yard box) to pick up possession and try to bring others into play has to be purposefully by design. Otherwise, Enzo would have chewed his ear off - and most likely yanked him off.

Ironically, Iheanacho (apart from Vestergaard’s header) had our two best chances- only to be denied by a reflex save by their GK and the post. Perhaps that’s why Enzo left him in. He (sometimes) can have a subpar performance and still find his way to the back of the net (or thereabouts). Meanwhile, the amount of times he dropped way deep (even to virtually the edge of our eighteen yard box) to pick up possession and try to bring others into play has to be purposefully by design. Otherwise, Enzo would have chewed his ear off - and most likely yanked him off.

Would have all been avoided but for Vestergaard’s needless backheel…

Never thought I’d be saying it this season, but Ndidi’s absence has significantly affected the quality of our chances. His (mysterious) injury has been such a setback, as he was actually just getting more comfortable with new role and improving with each game. Hope he doesn’t return significantly rusty, and needing a long runway to get back to speed - just in time for the AFCON disruption.

We definitely were NOT “poor” tonight…

4 of our players (Iheanacho. Dewsbury-Hall, McAteer and Verdy) have as many or more goals thus far this season than Piroe…

I was expecting (or perhaps just hoping) that with Ndidi injured and sidelined (as well as Yunus), and thus not having to look over shoulder, he would grab the opportunity to come into his own, but sadly he’s been pointedly UNDERWHELMING!

Praet should (hopefully) be back by then, and that should soften the loss

There was hardly ever any target in the middle. At least there was a chance Mavididi would cobble up a situation that he/we could muddle something in.

We played well - and, apart from Fatawu’s cracker that unluckily crashed off the bar, it took a world-class save by Meslier to preserve their victory. It was a good game between two well-matched sides and not surprisingly it took a fortuitous goal to separate the sides. We missed Wilf and Yunus (and Praet) today, but we move on.

Coinciding with Wilf’s absence. Unfortunately, Casadei has not stepped up as I had expected (or hoped) he would without looking over his shoulders. We need Wilf, Yunus and Praet back as soon as possible.

After international break…at best

One shot on target all game - and it came in extra time (should’ve been the equalizer though)…DIRE!

One shot on target all game - and it came in extra time (mind should’ve been the equalizer though)…DIRE!

FFS! But it ultimately had to come. Ruined weekend now.

Nail-biter thus far… Shame Yunus isn’t available, as Casadei has struggled. COYF!