Gave Trent MOTM for an outstanding first half. Robbo would have been the other contender.
We were good going forward but too open at the back again. That spell at the start of the second half was interesting - we were getting completely overrun, Jürgen subs on Keita and Elliot for Thiago and Ox and we instantly became more solid defensively, and kept the ball better and got our composure back. Thought the Keita for Thiago sub was the key one. Great though he can be, Thiago, I think he's been a weak link for us this year - too many flash, high risk passes in our half, encouraging the opposition, and dives in too much defensively instead of sprinting back to cover.
Can't believe Darwin got MOTM from Andy Townsend. Fair enough, he did keep going, and I agree that is the most important thing for a striker - just keep making the runs, buying a ticket, and the goals will come. (I always thing of Inzaghi as the ultimate example of that.) So yeah it is encouraging for the future that Darwin has the appetite and belief to keep doing that, but no way was he the best player on the park last night.
Bacjetic took his goal reallly well, looks very composed for his age. With him and Morton, we do have a couple of promising young DMs in the making. Good to see youth getting a chance - think Jürgen is quietly rejuvenating the squad (maybe not so quietly if Gakpo and another arrive this window).
There was more energy and running in the team than earlier in the season (Fabinho looked better than he has in a while, Darwin did put in a shift up front), so overall a good 3 points and encouraging signs. But still a fair bit to improve on the defensive side.
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