In fairness to Manning he's gone to another level this season and has really turned himself into a solid winger. If he rounds out his defensive game I don't think he'll be long in the championship
Yet another example of too much expectation on young shoulders. A lot of our team are really starting to hit their stride...and the timing is perfect
I see the new manager has brought Gavin back into the teamOriginally Posted by rebelmusic
Manning does seem to have found his feet recently, but at 29 I think the he's only a baby defense doesn't cut it. He seemed to be struggling to add enough defensive solidity to his game at left back to play at the very top, and if he's instead working out as a winger then good for him. Thing is, while an in-form winger Manning is a welcome addition to the Ireland squad, I think we'd happily sell him to Qatar* if we could get an actual left back in his place.
*Yes, I know, but it's only a matter of time before FIFA relent and allow the petrostates to outright buy players.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Himself and Bazunu seemed to get in a mess at the end today to gift Millwall a win over Southampton. Hard to know which of them was more at fault for it but it was a poor either way. The defensive issues remain for Manning and Bazunu still can't put a good full 90 together and is continuing to get zero sympathy from the Southampton supporters.
Manning had cleared off the line a couple of minutes earlier. Tough game, football.
Actually, looking at the highlights and it's a bit harsh to call that a mix-up I think. Back-post header that goes between Manning's legs and gives Bazunu little time to react. I'd be more critical of the first goal - Bazunu's weakness from long shots showing again; I think he should be getting a hand on that one as it's not close to the corner.
Second Millwall goal is a peach. Emakhu seems to have played reasonably well, though he still can't actually find the net.
We are back to this old chesnut again - Southampton today were back to the defence played by Russell Martin - stand off strikers 20 yards out and allow them time to set up, pick their spot and strike the ball - when you do that the striker will score 19 times out of 20 - that is what happened for both goals today. Bazunu was at full-stretch for the first goal and couldn't get close and there was nobody within 5 yards of Azeez. When you expose a goalkeeper like that you are going to leak goals no matter who is the keeper. It is also worth noting that Bazunu made a cracking save in the first half when the score was 0-0. Southampton fans saw what was happening today and the criticism has been firmly levelled against the defence, not Bazunu (who has been playing very well since he came back into the team).
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