King of Norway
Gudni Bergsson
Come on. It wasn't that bad. In the first half we were the better team. Could have been up by three goals before they got their first. We missed a couple of glorious chances. Even after that goal we had most of the possession.
The second half was less encouraging, I agree with that, but it was far from as awful as most of you make it out to be. They had more of the ball in the second half, but I can't recall them creating any chances apart from that goal which looekd offside. Still a bit lazy defending from BAE there though. We looked less threatening in the second half ourselves, but we did create a couple of good chances. If Lennon hadn't been pulled back every time he got in behind his man, we might have created more.
All in all it was an even game, decided by better finishing from Valencia's part. They didn't look better than us, despite us being a team without a central midfield. That is obviously a big concern a week before the start of the season, but at least we'll have Sandro back. We need a playmaker there too though. Huddlestone must be deemed not fit enoguh to play yet, and I doubt that Modric will feature, so we do have a problem there at this point. Same thing up front of course, although Defoe did alright today. He had a decent game, although he should have scored twice. We obviously need to bring in a striker or two very soon though.
Lennon had a good game tonight. He looks ready to make a good start to the season. Another positive was Vertonghen, who looked much better than in America, both defensively and going forward. I liek the way he carries the ball out of the defence, even if it sometimes looks a bit risky. I also thought Walker had a good game going forward. Still far from convinced by Sigurdsson. Rafa should start at Saudi Sportswashing Machine if fit.
The second half was less encouraging, I agree with that, but it was far from as awful as most of you make it out to be. They had more of the ball in the second half, but I can't recall them creating any chances apart from that goal which looekd offside. Still a bit lazy defending from BAE there though. We looked less threatening in the second half ourselves, but we did create a couple of good chances. If Lennon hadn't been pulled back every time he got in behind his man, we might have created more.
All in all it was an even game, decided by better finishing from Valencia's part. They didn't look better than us, despite us being a team without a central midfield. That is obviously a big concern a week before the start of the season, but at least we'll have Sandro back. We need a playmaker there too though. Huddlestone must be deemed not fit enoguh to play yet, and I doubt that Modric will feature, so we do have a problem there at this point. Same thing up front of course, although Defoe did alright today. He had a decent game, although he should have scored twice. We obviously need to bring in a striker or two very soon though.
Lennon had a good game tonight. He looks ready to make a good start to the season. Another positive was Vertonghen, who looked much better than in America, both defensively and going forward. I liek the way he carries the ball out of the defence, even if it sometimes looks a bit risky. I also thought Walker had a good game going forward. Still far from convinced by Sigurdsson. Rafa should start at Saudi Sportswashing Machine if fit.
