A lot of the reaction to this game is complaining about our general weaknesses this season, which is understandable. But actually this game was not that typical of our troubles this season. The problem today wasn't really them playing through us and getting behind our high line etc. It was rank rotten defending of balls into the box. That's something that statistically we've been pretty good at this season.
This game was actually more like the same fixture last season, when they overloaded certain areas of the box, stuck crosses in, and we couldn't handle it. The fact we couldn't handle it again today means that Frank basically out-coached Jürgen for this one. We should have known what was coming, but we clearly weren't ready for it. (In fairness to Jürgen, he wouldn't have expected Fab to completely miss his header for their first, although he definitely should have expected Trent to get caught between 2 stools when doubled up on for their second). But yeah, it was the general carnage in the box from aerial balls that was the big problem today, not the age of our midfield.
I still agree that our midfield needs additions. We don't have the same intensity and energy there that we used to. That has been our biggest problem all season. It just wasn't our biggest problem today.
I gave Ox MOTM. I'm not a fan of his in general but he was good today - not just the goal but quite a few good moments, the best being his bit of skill to tee up Kostas.
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