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CAFClive
·CAFClive: 1-0ft. oppo were ahead on shots and possession but only a last-min penalty denies #cafc an away point
·CAFClive: 1-0. llera concedes penalty in injury time
·CAFClive: 0-0ht. doesn't sound like much happened for either side
·CAFClive: Starting XI vs Exeter: Elliot; Francis, Doherty, Llera, Fry; Martin, Semedo, McCormack, Reid; Abbott, Benson
·CAFClive: I'm in the air during tonights game so no updates I'm afraid.
·CAFClive: 3-1ft. debut goal for Fry the only real positive from defeat
·CAFClive: 3-1. Matt Fry, just subbed on for his debut, grabs a late one back. a consolation but he won't care
·CAFClive: 3-0. somewhat deja vu as Huddersfield bag another in the closing stages of the half
·CAFClive: 2-0ht. worner the busier gk on his debut but he couldn't keep the hosts out completely, with two late goals the difference at the half
·CAFClive: 2-0. a quick-fire double
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CAFC 2-0 LCFC: A Professional Job
Posted on Sunday, September 23 @ 13:55:17 BST by adminbabe |
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Just got back from The Valley. I thought we played well in the first half, although not as well as the midweek game (I remember that for the first half an hour or so against Norwich that they hardly touched the ball). We started brightly, with some nice passing moves and good general movement meaning we often found space to attack Leicester.
The two goals came in rapid succession and I thought at the time that either we would go on to completely batter them or just wind things down and hold out for the win.
In the second half they came at us much more - I'm not joking when I say that I think Kish coming on as a sub gave them some much-needed midfield energy - and the introduction of N'gotty at CB meant Iwelumo was to be much less effective than in the first period.
As it was, we came more into it in the second half of the second half and, some more good play to work the spaces meant we had some decent chances to totally put the result to bed. It wasn't to be but Leicester didn't manage to create any real threats so the 2-0 is a fair reflection I'd say.
I didn't have a great view of the goals as they were at the far end, but I was disappointed in a way that they both came from slightly scrappy box play coupled with atrocious Leicester defending.
ZZ leapt like a Chinese salmon to knock the ball on for Varney's goal but considering the expansive play we managed over the course of the 90 minutes it would have been nice to see one such move end in a goal.
No complaints though and, like against Norwich, we managed to create some very nice play which, although not coming to anything, didn't stop us scoring at all.
Mills had a very different sort of game than midweek but was again very good. I think he had less to do (no Huckerby-esque threat to really have to contend with) and I think Pards must have told him that Moutouakil is ready to return because Mills definitely went on some Yassin-like forward forays during today's match.
Danny has impressed me no end (I wasn't too sure about him when he joined, if I'm honest) and whilst Moutouakil should just about be first-choice, I'm not sure Sankofa will be too serious a challenge for the replacement RB position.
Defence was good again, although in general they didn't have much to contend with. Boughie is coming more into it, and his partnership with Fortune seemed pretty good. I like the fact that they have two experienced players in Powell and Mills flanking them, and much as they've fared well I'm not sure if they'll remain as watertight against stronger opposition. Weaver made a couple of decent saves but wasn't really troubled in the 90 minutes.
Sam was impressive although not as good as in midweek. Ambrose came on a late sub for him (again) but to be fair didn't have much time to do anything. I think that if we assume Reidy is a definite starter, and will be played as LM, then for the time being Sam has the RM berth although JT, Christensen and Ambrose (I'd probably but them in that order) should be aware that Pards seems to favour an injection of pace on the wings in the latter stages so they will get playing time if they manage to make the bench.
Reidy had an OK game but I think he found himeself quite tightly marked so maybe wasn't as creative as he'd like. McLeod came on for Varney and essentially Reid moved inside to play 4-5-1 with McLeod on the left. This worked better than the last time I remember we tried this (with M Bent as the 'fluid' LM/striker) but nothing much came from it.
I know Pards was trying to see the game out but with the wealth of talent - at least in midfield and attack - available then I really think 4-4-2 should be used both home and away (unless, as today, we just have to see out the remaining minutes when we're comfortably winning).
ZZ and Semedo didn't have great games but both were willing to run all over the pitch, put tackles in and mixed up their long and short passing. I am still a little concerned that neither of them seem willing to try shooting from mid-distance (despite repeated vocal encouragement from the North Stand) and that's probably the one real criticism I'd have of their partnership in the middle of the park. I've not seen Racon play but I understand that he is more willing to have a crack at goal every now and then.
Iwelumo had an alright game, winning a few knock-ons in the first half and getting a goal too. Although in the second period he was a little more subdued; as mentioned, I think this was due in part to the introduction of N'Gotty who was more adept at challenging him for the high balls we pumped forward.
Varney scored - against his boyhood club - and was full of running although this was not as effective as against Norwich. He is willing to work the channels but in a similar way to JT I think some people just want to see him skin the defender for pace and push into the box; more often he will find himself a yard of space but then try to swing in a cross, which is often not very useful because his phenomenal speed usually means he has no support waiting for him in the middle. I hope this is something Pards will encourage him to work on.
As mentioned, McLeod came on as a sub but was played wide and didn't have much impact.
Overall, I'd say we played well and managed to more or less dominate the game without really getting out of third gear. No-one played fantastically apart from maybe Mills who may be aware that his starting position is under threat. Despite this, as a team we put together some nice moves, limited Leicester to very few decent opportunities, scored a couple of goals and created chances to maybe get another one or two.
I have no doubt we'll face tougher opposition in the coming months but on this form - winning pretty comfortably without playing great - we should be there or thereabouts come the business end of the season.
Note: Article by ugotamesij
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