From a defensive point of view sundays performance was a considerable improvement on previous weeks (although we did allow them 3 chances in the first 5 minutes!), the new system seems to be working quite well,(but we did seem to revert to the usual 4-2-3-1 well before half time?) I suppose the players will need some time to get used to it!

My problem with it is that we just dont look a creative force going forward & the lack of goals will cost us in the end if we dont sort it out!

Munua does make me nervous with some of his antics but he does make some decent stops, problem is he does seem to throw in the odd "howler" in each game & at this level it costs us goals!!

The back 5 looked solid defensively & tamed, what is on paper, a very potent Valencia attacking force! Jesus Gamez & Mtiliga are encouraged to go forward on overlapping runs with the new system & on sunday they both did it to good effect. The problem was the delivery of the final ball wasn't good enough, although you cant always blame the crosser as there was often only 1 or  occasionally maybe 2 players making runs into the box for them to aim at!

Weligton had another solid game & Stepanov is starting to look markedly better than Cuadrado (I did notice Helder Rosario was on the bench & when warming up didn't look like an overweight blob to me so hopefully he's sorted himself out?)

Apono had a good game again & is starting to look like he is back to full fitness. Xavi Torres put in another workmanlike performance but just seems to lack that extra bit of creativity!

Luque had a pretty quiet game. Duda teamed up well with Mtiliga working down the left flank but just didn't create enough with the final ball.

Obinna is a willing worker & I can see the argument for his hard work making him a M.O.M contender, but sometimes he seems to forget it's a team game & does too much himself when a pass would be a better option. He also seems to lack a steady nerve, especially in front of goal! He missed an absolute sitter with only the keeper to beat to give us a draw.

A more encouraging performance but we need to create more chances if we are to start picking up points! 99% of the balls played into the opposing danger areas are played in from at least 20/30 yards away, easy to defend against! We need to play more football, like we did last season, & start playing some little short balls into the box, catching the defender "on the turn".Lets stop this long ball game we seem to have adopted!

If we are to continue with the new formation next week I'd like to see Edinho as the lone striker with Obinna wide right where he can use his pace & bring in Forestieri or Benachour (for the injured Juanito) in an advanced midfield role where they can try & play a little more creative football around the opponents penalty area!!

So my team for next week:-

                                        Munua

                        Stepanov   Xavi Torres      Weligton
Jesus Games                                                              Mtiliga

Obinna            Apono           Forestieri (or Benachour)   Duda

                                       Edinho

as chudderz said, maybe if we start with 12 we have a chance of winning