[Albion] The first goal

[trueblue]

Had Bart committed to it I'm pretty sure he'd have got there before Rashford, or at least put some pressure on him. As soon as Bart hesitated it gave Rashford a free run on goal, and you'd expect him to score more times than miss, in that situation.

I’ve just watched the same angle as Bozza. Have to disagree this time. I think we’d be talking today about Bart’s silly charge out of the area and how stupid he was to get himself sent off. It’s a fantastic pass perfectly-weighted into the path of a quick striker running at full tilt. Rashford keeps the ball close and puts it away with his second touch. Can’t see anything other than a costly collision if Bart had tried to get there first. At best, they’d have reached the ball about the same time. Bear in mind it’s travelling diagonally, not straight towards goal. It’s not really winnable until the second bounce by which time it’s right under Rashford’s feet. It would need to be an incredible tackle to take it cleanly at that point.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I was expecting a VAR offside check but my son had realised, and quickly told me, that Rashford was in his own half when the ball was played.

That makes it a defensive error. Irrespective of whether Bart could and should have got there we should never be that open in the first place. I really like Gomez and he was great in the first half again but he does seem to be a little 'all or nothing' and you can never last more than about 60 minutes charging about the way he does. If you're going to be the covering man at one of our corners then you need to actually be in position to cover and to have enough in the tank to run.

 

[trueblue]

I was expecting a VAR offside check but my son had realised, and quickly told me, that Rashford was in his own half when the ball was played.

That makes it a defensive error. Irrespective of whether Bart could and should have got there we should never be that open in the first place. I really like Gomez and he was great in the first half again but he does seem to be a little 'all or nothing' and you can never last more than about 60 minutes charging about the way he does. If you're going to be the covering man at one of our corners then you need to actually be in position to cover and to have enough in the tank to run.

I also thought he was in Albion’s half and offside at first look although it was hard to see when the ball was kicked. He’s no slouch, sadly.

 

[Curious Orange]

Yep - in real-time from the WSU I noticed Dunk in that very distinctive flat-out sprint of his before I clocked the danger from Rashford and uttered "oh, shit" under my breath.

Same here, especially as I'd mentioned to Junior Orange and Curious Dad prior to the match that we should avoid a high defensive line because of Rashford's pace.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Absolutely. If he was better and quicker he’d have been on the pitch and caught Rashford. Cashout on him now!

..and taller.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Had Bart committed to it I'm pretty sure he'd have got there before Rashford, or at least put some pressure on him. As soon as Bart hesitated it gave Rashford a free run on goal, and you'd expect him to score more times than miss, in that situation.

Had he committed and/or been quicker off his line then Rashford would/could have chipped him at the opportune moment. It's really difficult to know what the best option for Bart was. I guess the best option is to not let a pacey half decent striker have so much time and space.

 

[Justice]

Typical of us to hand Rashford his first PL goal for Villa.

 

[Si Gull]

Had he committed and/or been quicker off his line then Rashford would/could have chipped him at the opportune moment. It's really difficult to know what the best option for Bart was. I guess the best option is to not let a pacey half decent striker have so much time and space.

Yes, it's all hindsight, of course. I just think if Bart had put Rashford under more pressure, he may not have scored. Not in any way blaming Bart, the high line and poor positioning/awareness of the defence have that honour.

 

[Doug-ees-evil]

Thought their first goal was a great goal really. At the time I was thinking, has Dunk been caught out there?.. but the long ball from the left back position over the top to Rashford (still in his own half) was a beauty and if we'd scored that goal we'd probably say it was genius.

Admittedly I wasn't watching from an elevated position and I can see now that Gomez gets caught in a wrong position too. And that is fair shout about Bart getting there first. But overall, still feel this was a smart goal and a ruthless finish.
Goals two and three however... hmmm.

 

[Weststander]

We are the soft team to counter attacks, never leaving enough insurance around the centre line.

I watched this for as long as I can remember. Some other successful coaches always leave a fast FB snd a proper DM back to cover. In addition, their players 75 yards out, have one eye on switching to tracking back in a micro second. All very organised.

 

[tstanbur]

I’ve just watched the same angle as Bozza. Have to disagree this time. I think we’d be talking today about Bart’s silly charge out of the area and how stupid he was to get himself sent off. It’s a fantastic pass perfectly-weighted into the path of a quick striker running at full tilt. Rashford keeps the ball close and puts it away with his second touch. Can’t see anything other than a costly collision if Bart had tried to get there first. At best, they’d have reached the ball about the same time. Bear in mind it’s travelling diagonally, not straight towards goal. It’s not really winnable until the second bounce by which time it’s right under Rashford’s feet. It would need to be an incredible tackle to take it cleanly at that point.

Have a look at @Bozza 's really useful screen grabs above.

Bart's (good) starting position was only a few yards away from where Rashford took his first touch, no "charging out" needed at all! He would have easily got that way before Rashford.

He hesitated and retreated instead.

 

[METALMICKY]

Not in build up, no. However he stuttered in decision making about whether to advance or retreat, very clearly changing his mind and ended up stood in no man's land.

Terrible goal overall and he was last line of defence, sadly he made it easy for the goalscorer by not giving him a decision to make.

This big time! The angles of the replays of the goal don't really show clearly the awful stutter by Bart. Of course this doesn't get Gomez off the hook but it made Rashfords job easier and he scuffed it!

 

[Giraffe]

As the ball went through I shouted for Bart to come, it felt very much in his territory. He rarely does though. Definitely comfortable in that situation.

 

[Bozza]

Have a look at @Bozza 's really useful screen grabs above.

Bart's (good) starting position was only a few yards away from where Rashford took his first touch, no "charging out" needed at all! He would have easily got that way before Rashford.

He hesitated and retreated instead.

Indeed.

By the time Rashford took his first touch - and that was the earliest he could - Verbruggen had retreated further backwards than he would needed to have gone forward, and he'd have covered the ground quicker going forward.

 

[Barryseagulls]

Rashford biggest attribute is his speed, had it been another slightly slower player, Bart may have decided to come rushing out !

 

[Mellotron]

It's a whole combination of errors isn't it. Can't fully blame any one player in my opinion.

Set pieces were pretty shite all evening as well...

 

[martin tyler]

It’s a decent quick counter - but yes it could have been stopped. Gomez has to go with the man first of all. A new role to him maybe, Baleba would have given Rashford a tougher time there. 2nd Bart looks like he had a 5 yard head start on Rashford when the ball was played. Second he hesitated that was lost and he ended up in no man’s land really. He’s a great young keeper but he’s still hesitant around his box at times and to me misjudged where that ball was going to end up. I think the Martinez, Alison’s, Raya ect come and that ball ends up in the crowd around half way.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Next game, watch Verbruggen sprint out of goal for one, get there way too late and smash the striker

 

[Uh_huh_him]

it showed the value of a quick release from the keeper from a set piece turn over.
We rarely do it.
Bart may occasionally hoof it long in hope, but he rarely sends a player off with the ball to catch the opposition on the back foot.

I assume there is a belief that we are better off getting into our shape, than trying to take advantage of the opponents lack of organization.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Next game, watch Verbruggen sprint out of goal for one, get there way too late and smash the striker

Mateta's other ear?