Well that was really a lesson of taking your chances. Braga scored 3 very good goals, although the 2nd was because Ridge didn’t go with the man he appealed for offside instead. I have to say though, we gave the ball away far too often. I thought that N’Daw and Spector were both poor this evening, although Spector did make a couple of decent tackles.
On the positive side of things, we showed a lot of spirit with Redmond looking good, he was very unfortunate not to score in the 2nd half with a curling shot saved by the keeper. Burke continued his good form when he was bought on in the 2nd half. Houghton clearly was saving players for Sunday’s game against Southampton.
Also, King scored on his full debut and we did work hard trying to get back into the game – but I did feel that Braga were always just out of reach. They out competed us in midfield most of the game and as I said, took their chances.
I thought this would be the game we were most likely to lose. In regard to progressing, we would want Braga to win all of their games now!
Off to Mirabor next, that will be tough too, but we could get a point there.
I agree, N’Daw and Ibanez clearly looked like they werent match fit, Rooney is a big lump and a yard off the pace. Spector and Carr were very poor indeed tonight. The much lambasted Curtis Davies was a massive miss at the back tonight. Positives were defo King, Burke, Redmond, Murphy. Braga looked much fitter than us and their passing game was more clinical. If Rooney had scored that relatively easy chance in the 3rd minute the outcome could have been oh so different……KRO.
we have sold an entire team so to expect us to compete with what are one of the best sides in this competition would be over optimistic. Braga never realy looked troubled and i felt cruised to their win. the blues goal was well worked but i agree with the previous post that Rooney is a lump. i think birmingham would be better employed this year just playing king up front and 5 in midfield. unlike rooney and zidic, he does have some quality about him. Oh for someone with some pace to play up front along side King. Still, now that the Hairdresser has been refused a travel permit on the basis he is likely to do a runner, the club can convert all those bearer bonds (the proceeds of all the player sales) allegedly stuffed in a suitcase in Pannu’s office back into cash and use is to buy some quality in January
Wasnt that impressed with Elliott who(hopefully)was only suffering from nerves on his home debut.
On the plus side King looked a class above,and again Redmond was outstanding.A lot of wide players can beat a man,but then put awful balls into the box,the quality of Redmonds crossing was outstanding.