Rousseau

The GPL predictions are quite optimistic.

I've gone 0-1. Not confident at all. Nightmare match. 

Dammit. 

I hope we get compensated sufficiently. 

It's a fantastic story.

I think he epitomises the player profile we should be going after; young, technical, but cheap and underestimated. 

I was first made aware of him the season before we signed him; he was regularly around the top of the league in terms of stats, with his passing and interceptions especially top notch. It was just the little hint that he's able to do things that others of that level can't. 

Gerrard makes a good point about players fitting into the style of the team. He was developed at Arsenal, but then the styles at Southend, Colchester and then Dundee -- under McCann he did well, because there was an intent to keep the ball, but not the other manager(s) -- didn't really suit his abilities. 

It didn't matter in the end, because it was offside, but that save from McGregor, where he tipped a header over the bar, when it looked net-bound, was absolutely phenomenal! ?

Morelos' goal was sublime, but I thought it wasn't really working for him for large spells -- albeit, from the rest of the team being sub par. 

For me, it's Goldson; he was immense, clearing everything, intercepting everything, and never misplaced a pass (some of them were quite audacious passes too). 

13 hours ago, buster. said:

Barker is the man to come in !!!

 

SG's new go to European option.

 

The Mancunian Candeias !!

 

To be fair, I think he would prefer Jones. I think he wants someone that's disciplined, but that can run with the ball. 

We were quite poor, I thought. Porto's tactical set-up caught us out, and that combined with several players just seeming nervous made for a really frustrating first half, first hour. However, the resilience to hang in was brilliant. 

Porto were playing a back-three at times; and with Kent and Barker not quite pressing effectively, they got into the final third quite easily. 

Our key playmaker Davis couldn't get into the game either, with their three floating midfielders; they were swarming all over him. I did notice we dropped him a little deeper in the second half, into a situational back-three at times. It meant he had a little bit of time to collect the ball, and it brought those Porto attackers forward allowing more space in midfield.

I thought their Captain Danilo was given far too much space. He's a a big unit in DM, but I think he needs time to play the pass; he's not cute with it, like Davis. I was thinking throughout, if we got someone pressing him quicker, we could've created some decent turnover situations. 

When Pepe went off, they switched to a 4-4-2, which finally gave us control at the back; Goldson, Helander and Davis could control the ball. 

The period when and after we scored was a blur...  

We should've beat Young Boys, but screwed it up; we should've beat Porto away, but couldn't take our chances. Last night we were not at our best for large spells, but showed a resilience to hang in there, and crucially, we took our chances. 

Solid, comfortable win. It was never in doubt for me. 

I thought Ojo had a decent game. 

Gerrard showing his sadomasochistic side by bringing on Defoe (Ojo off) to play alongside Morelos.

Another outstanding performance from Jack, who comes off to be replaced by Arfield. 

Ojo's stepped it up a level, and they can't deal with him. 

Ojo through in behind, tries to play in Morelos, but Berra just gets there ahead of him. 

Morelos denied a hat-trick. 

Aribo might be offside, but Morelos is definitely offside. 

Naismith has just elbowed Goldson in the face, the dirty b*st*rd. 

Inevitably Jack sticks up for him, and they both get a yellow. 

Kent's looking really good for a guy that's not fit. 

Ah--comes off now, unfortunately. Excellent contribution today. 

Terrific goal; really well worked.

Morelos nods it down for Kent, who proceeds to turn a couple of men inside out, then cuts it back for Morelos to finish.  

That's their third change. 

Naismith comes on. 

Hearts should have scored. 

This could be a cricket score now, for me -- rarely turns our that way, though... 

Morelos. 2-0. 

9 minutes ago, Gaffer said:

I was desperate for Kent to score.  I just love watching him.  He has all the skills and tricks.  If he can add goals to his game (which he needs to), he will be up there with Morelos as one of our most dangerous players.

The play where he glanced the post with a curling effort was wonderful. 

If we get another quickly, then they'll collapse; they're struggling to deal with our pressure already, with a couple pulling up injured. 

I think we've played well. They've barely had a sniff; We've pegged them in. 

Our final ball was disappointing, but despite that, we've gone close several times.