A few thoughts..

[erikmata]

Hi everyone..
First of all, mind my english, it's been more than 10 years since my year in Worcester. I've been a goalkeeper for most of my life, not too bad and was actually rated top-6 in Sweden when 16-18 years old. I've also been a coach for 3-4 years or so, although in the lower divisions.

This is my belief..

I'm not worried about M. Hughes, he is a top manager and has a good track record, he will do just fine. As they say, the team need time to gel but they also need to play a bit smarter. Our problem against Swans was for sure Greens give away but still, the team looked quite good until 0-2 which really was an amazing counter attack. Then we started "hunting" the game and actually gave it away. There it all started..

I didn't think first half against Norwich was good at all, the question is why? Imo we are/were a bit too attacking minded, going forward with everyting we got, even Diakete quite often, leaving a quite shaky back four on their own... It will not be enough swiching Hill and Anton for M'bia-Nelsen, they will also get run over if we play like this game after game. The second half against Norwich looked better, defenders played closer to the midfield or actually the other way around with midfielders closing down a lot better. It can't be 20-30 yards between the back four and the midfield, that's why many managers play 4-2-3-1 these days but still, those two defensive midfielders MUST keep the team together, both cannot be attacking minded. I think there has been a bit too much intention to score goals in the team, then often you forget tactics. I think/hope this has changed. It is not brain surgury..

What did it look like against Walsall? That's a game impossible to watch here in Sweden.


So, what about Julio Cesar then?
Well, JC is the first brazilian gk I really liked, in ITALY that is! He has most of it; emotions, good technics, is an excellent shot stopper and far as I can remember has good feet. BUT, he is 2 inches shorter than Rob Green. It will be a different game in England.. I hope I'm wrong here, time will tell.


Erik, Sweden

[pauldrayton]

You're not the only one concerned about Cesar's height.

Might sounds ridiculous given his reputation but I prefer taller goalkeepers.

[Del]

You're not the only one concerned about Cesar's height.

Might sounds ridiculous given his reputation but I prefer taller goalkeepers.

Arguably the best keeper in the prem over the last decade has been "not very tall" Shay Given.....

There are low shots also you know.... and for the reasons you doubt a shorter keeper reachng certain shots, it's equally more difficult for very tall keepers to reach low shots.

Fear not, we have one of the very best and Cesar hasn't won best keeper in Italy ahead of Buffon and others 2 out of the last 4 years for nothing.

Stop panicking and prepare to enjoy.

[erikmata]

I'm not panicking at all, just feeling a little bit more worried than most others. But, for sure, you don't win best keeper in Italy just like that.. :=):

It will be really interesting anyway, in my 30 years as a fan this is really amazing times!

[Will M]

He's not small, 6'1'' and very physically imposing. And most importantly, he has amazing agility. Seen some of the saves he has made?

[erikmata]

I have...he is a really good shotstopper, the only thing that worries me is his height.

I am more worried about the way we are playing, I really hope Hughes has sorted out the naivety.

[Will M]

I'm sure we will be fine in time.

Swansea looked worse than it really was, with some good leaders in the team such as Nelsen and Cesar, and the addition of M'Bia I think we'll gradually improve.

Will probably still take a few hidings along the way though.

[erikmata]

Today was a big leap in the right direction, a shorter team is harder to break down. Playing like this we will not be pushovers any more..

Rob Green was not good enough, MC had four or five corners into the box which he must come and claim. I have my hopes för JC!