September 2011 - One star dims, but another starts to shine

This month sees us play 6 matches, which will test the fitness of the squad. This season is already looking to be much busier than our previous seasons, but with no injury problems heading into the month there is room for great optimism, especially with how well the team coped with the workload during August.

Sheffield United (A) Premier League

We arrive at Bramall Lane to play the Blades, with them as narrow favourites. Sheffield United are one of the newly promoted sides, so I'm hopeful that we can come away with the points from this match.

The match couldn't have started much better for us, with Scocco scoring from just outside the area with a stunning strike in only the 2nd minute. We dominated the early part of the half so it was no surprise when our lead was doubled in the 14th minute by Scocco scoring another stunning strike from just outside the area, this time deflecting in off the underside of the crossbar. Although United started to gain a bit more time on the ball, they were struggling to create good chances, causing us little trouble at the back. We were looking much more dangerous whenever we went forward, and in the 35th minute Balanta received the ball clear of the United defence after we'd cleared from a corner, but sadly his shot was deflected just wide of the post by the keeper. In the 40th minute Jiminez struck a shot which was deflected by the keeper onto the post, from which it went safe, to deny him his first goal for the club. He then hit a free kick just over the crossbar, and was looking like he was going to be desperately unlucky today. I was pleased with this first half performance which had been excellent, and fully deserve our 2 goal lead. Our keeper had hardly had anything to do, such had been our dominance, despite the possession being fairly even.

I sent the players back out hoping they could keep this going, as I was sure Sheffield United would try to come at us in the second half. The match picked up in pretty much the same way, and in the 53rd minute Curri hit a cross into the box which Jiminez headed home to finally open his account for the club and extend our lead to 3 goals. A 3 goal lead always makes me feel much calmer, however after this United started to play much better, creating a lot more chances, though still finding it difficult to even trouble our keeper. In the 66th minute though a lapse of concentration allowed Ched Evans to move into space in our area and head home from a cross. This was a bit disappointing as we'd been so impressive at the back up to this point, and gives them a glimmer of hope in the match. After this we were struggling to create chances when going forward and looking more desperate in our defending at the back. Despite the pressure we were being put under we stood firm and denied them any clear cut chances, and the match came to an end with us leading by the 2 goal margin.

I was pleased with this match, as we'd performed very well after the international break, particularly in the first half, and apart from the one defence lapse, we'd been very solid at the back. I was impressed with the players, in particular Scocco, who fully deserved his man of the match award, and Curri who provided two assists from the left side.

Result: 3-1

Panathinaikos (A) Champions Cup Group D

Our visit to Athens sees Panathinaikos as marginal favourites. The pre-match information from the backroom staff suggest that we have a reasonable chance of doing well in this match, giving us a chance at claiming what might be a valuable draw. On their advice I went for a defensive strategy, as I was sure they'd come at us from the off.

Right from the first whistle I could tell this was going to be challenge, with posession hard to come by in the early stages. Despite the pressure our defence was looking solid and composed, and defending from corner kicks well. Once we'd survived the initial 10 minute onslaught we started to gain a bit more time on the ball and beginning to look dangerous at times. Much to my surprise in the 19th minute Fatih Yucel passed the ball from out wide to Ephraim in the box, and he proceeded to dribble with the ball to a more central position in the area before unleashing a stunning shot which the keeper was unable to stop going into the goal. Our defence then came under even more pressure, but were standing firm against everything the Greek side could throw at us. We managed to hold out the to end of the half still with a one goal lead, which we just about deserved, with our excellent defending and although we created less chances, we looked the more dangerous side in front of goal.

I sent the players back out pleased with the performance so far. Panathinaikos came out really trying to get at us, and our defending wasn't looking quite as assured as it had in the first half, and we were giving the ball away too much for my liking. In the 58th minute I thought they'd grabbed an equaliser. I was relieved to find that it was offside, and reviewing it back was a very close call. That narrow escape seemed to wake the team up and we started to pass the ball around well again, and started to make Panathinaikos have to to defend well. This little period of pressure paid off with Buzsaky hitting a corner into the box, which Sunny met with his foot to volley the ball home. I was delighted that not only had we withstood the pressure early in the half, but had now extended our lead. The match really opened up after that with the ball being worked from end to end. In the 86th minute our resistance was finally broken down, though in slightly odd circumstances, with the ball bouncing off the back of the legs of Nasuti, who wasn't even looking in the right direction. The ball fell into the path of a Panathinaikos player who hammered the ball home from the middle of the area. I was a little worried by that, but the team reacted well and only a good save a minute later stopped Jiminez scoring at the other end. I was pleased with how we held possession for almost all of the last few minutes to make sure we kept our one goal lead to the end of the match.

I'm delighted with this result, as we were expected to be beaten in this match, but managed to come out on top. The stats would suggest we were lucky to win, but although we created less opportunities, and had less possession, we always looked more likely to make something from the chances, and it was the Greek side that needed some luck to score.

Result: 2-1

Leeds (H) Premier League

Leeds arrive at Loftus Road with us predicted as favourites to win over the recently promoted Championship winners. Their recent run of form which finds them in 3rd place would suggest they could put up a fight, but I'm not convinced. When the teamsheets are revealed it is apparent that Leeds have come to defend and hope they can catch us on the break, as they are playing a 4-1-4-1 formation.

The first 10 minutes of the match were pretty unexciting, although we'd dominated possession. In the 12th minute though this dominance paid off, with Scocco getting on the end of a very poor attempt to clear the ball, at close range, and hammered the ball into the net to open the scoring. I was delighted that we'd managed to get in front. Despite being a goal down Leeds were still defending in numbers and making it very difficult to find a way through again. On the other hand Leeds were finding it very hard to create anything, and any shots they did have were long range efforts. The first half came to an end with our lead still intact, with very little else of any note happening. I was pleased that we were leading, and that our defending when called upon had been exemplary.

I sent the players back out for the second half giving them encouragement to go on and see out this win. Astonishingly the 2nd half was actually even poorer than the first, with both defensive units doing a good job of restricting the chances that the other side could create. The most noteworthy incident of an otherwise uninspiring match came in the 67th minute, with Leeds having a player shown straight red card for a late challenge on Fatih Yucel. After that, we held more of the possession, and looked the most likely team to create another good chance to score. The match came to its end with us running out 1-0 winners.

I am pleased to see us win this match, where both defences were dominant for the most part. Simon Kjær's performance at the heart of our defence saw him run out as the winner of the man of the match award.

Result: 1-0

Barnsley (H) League Cup 3rd Round

The Tykes arrive at Loftus Road with us clear favourites to win this fixture. With the current run of fixtures I feel the need to give a few players a rest, which I hope we won't be made to regret. I go into the match feeling confident that we will proceed to the next round.

We started the match dominating possession, and in the 4th minute Ephraim was unlucky not to open the scoring when a shot from just inside the area hit the post to deny him. In the 7th minute we were nearly caught on the break with Jason Steele needing to make a good save in a one on one situation, and breathed a sigh of relief. Despite dominating possession and getting a lot of crosses in from the flanks, we were doing a poor job of getting on the end of them. The only other incident of note was in the 43rd minute when Balanta got clear only to be denied in a one on one situation. I was rather disappointed with our performance overall, with us looking too complacent.

I sent the players back out telling them I was disappointed in the hope they'd buck their ideas up. We did at least look a bit more motivated at the start of the half, but still wasn't too great. In the 61st minute a quick ball from the keeper to the right winger Grenier was instantly passed beyond the Barnsley backline for Scocco to run onto clear of the defence allowing him to slot the ball home to give us a deserved lead. I was hoping this would give us the confidence to push on and extend our lead. That didn't really happen however, with Barnsley pushing to find an equaliser, and we seemed to keep giving up possession far too often. The good thing was our defence stood firm to keep Barnsley at bay. It was only in the last 10 minutes we started to look like extending our lead, and Fatih Yucel should have scored from close range in the 82nd minute, and 5 minutes later Scocco should have scored from a one on one situation. The match came to an end with us keeping our one goal lead.

Despite winning, which I pleased we did, I feel this was a pretty poor performance overall. Our defence was fairly solid, in restricting opportunities for Barnsley, but at times we just looked so complacent and lacklustre. I have to look on the bright side that we gained a victory without playing particularly well.

Result: 1-0

Birmingham City (H) Premier League

Birmingham arrive at Loftus Road with us clear favourites to win this fixture. I am confident that we can live up to these expectations, and will pick a side I believe can deliver us the result.

The first half was not a particularly exciting affair, with both sides restricted to shots from distance, with only a couple of them from Birmingham requiring our keeper to make great reflex saves to stop them scoring. Our passing and possession was better than Birimingham's but we were struggling to make much headway into the match. A rather poor first half came to an end with the scores still locked with neither side having made a mark. I was disappointed with the first half display, given we should be able to dominate this match.

I sent the players back out with my harsh words ringing in their ears. It didn't look like it had achieved much as early on Birmingham got the first close range shot of the match, which was only kept out by another excellent save from Jason Steele. After another close call with a shot from the edge of the area going just wide of our post we seemed to finally wake up, and start pushing forward. The breakthrough was to come in slightly odd circumstances, with our ex-player Leigertwood making a poor backpass to his keeper, which he could only clear to a Scocco in the area, who smashed the ball home to give us the lead after 68 minutes. Our lead was extended to two goals in the 79th minute with Jimenez hitting a curling thunderbolt from 30 yards out, which couldn't have been struck sweeter. We looked to be coasting to victory, but things are rarely that simple for us, as we conceded a goal in the 88th minute after a spell of ping pong in our area after a corner, to make the last few minutes nervy. I was pleased with our response to conceding the goal, as we dominated the last few minutes with Balanta hitting a long shot which rebounded off the bar. The match came to an end with our one goal lead intact.

I was reasonably pleased with our performance in the second half, although it was far from the best we can produce. The main thing is, it was another victory and sees us still unbeaten so far this season. Jimenez's marvellous strike from distance was enough to give him the man of the match award.

Result: 2-1

Paris Saint-Germain (H) Champions Cup Group D

PSG arrive at Loftus Road with us favourites for this fixture, but with some of the quality players they have, I believe this will be a tough ask to take all the points. Our defence will have to be on top form as they have plenty of players that cause us serious trouble.

At the start of the match both teams were doing a good job of defending, breaking up attacks with ease. In the 13th minute though, PSG gave away a free kick just outside their area to the left, and I expected Buzsaky to try and take a crack at the goal, which with Enyeama between the posts, wouldn't be a particularly good option. Seems he didn't think so either and cracked the ball at the group of players in the box, which took a couple of rebounds, coming off the head of a PSG defender and landing at the feet of the unmarked Kjær, who dispite poor finishing had little trouble scoring into what was practically an empty net. This is his first ever goal for the club. The rest of the first half was fairly even with neither side managing to create any really good goal scoring opportunities, as both defences were looking very strong, and so we got to half time leading by the solitary goal.

I sent the players back out giving them encouragement to keep this performance going, especially in defence. The 2nd half started in worrying fashion with PSG only denied by a brilliant reflex save to stop them scoring from the middle of the area, within a minute of the restart. It was clear they'd come back out really determined to get back into this match. They were to score an equaliser in the 49th minute, with a 30 yard screamer from a player with average long shots skill, and dismayed that Lung jr didn't manage to even get a hand to it. In the replay it was clear he doesn't react until very late, and even appears to have been looking elsewhere when the shot was first hit, which is very disappointing, because he really should have been able to save that with no problems. We responded well from the kick-off with Balanta denied by an excellent save within a minute of the restart. For the next few minutes we looked quite good, but at about 60 minutes it was like a switch had been flipped and PSG started to dominate with us struggling to be able to hold possession for any length of time, with Lung jr being called on again to stop them scoring. With 10 minutes to go the pressure relieved a bit, with us getting more time on the ball, but still struggling to carve out good chances. In the last minute both sides had good chances saved, to keep the scores level at full time.

A bit of a strange performance, in what was actually a fairly even match, and but for Lung jr having a momentary lack of concentration we probably should have won. That said, without him putting in some other excellent saves, we would have lost this match, so difficult to be too critical of him. Simon Kjær's first half goal and a good performance at the heart of defence brought him the man of the match award. It's hard to know if I should be happy or disappointed with this result.

On a different note, an irriation during this match was that we were in our home kit, and PSG turned up wearing light grey, so it was hard at times to tell which side had the ball. I just hope the reverse doesn't happen when we visit them, as their home kit is almost the same as our away kit.

Result: 1-1

Monthly Roundup

Overall an excellent month with remaining unbeaten this season; comprising 3 wins in the league, another in the League Cup, with a win and draw in the Champions League. Going to Greece and getting a win was something I wouldn't have thought we'd achieve before the start of the month, which made up for disappointment our fans felt after we only claimed a draw against PSG at home. Whether we can advance through from this group is very dependent on how we play against Fiorentina who are considered the strongest team in the group. Our next opponent in the League Cup will be Newcastle at home, which is a match we should be able to win, which is important, as that would see us reach the target set at the start of the season in that tournament.

By winning all 3 of our league fixtures, we have now moved up to 3rd place, just 2 points behind the current leaders Liverpool. The most astonishing thing right now is the terrible form of Everton, who are sitting right at the bottom of the table, although I'm sure like last season they'll bounce back to be one of the form teams at some point.

In our Champions League group we are leading Fiorentina only by goals scored, and in a good position to maybe advance through to the knockout stages. Depending on results, this could turn out to be a very close group, with Fiorentina the favourites to win the group.

I appears that Fatih Yucel has a distinct attitude problem, and wants to move on, which looks to be affecting his performances on the pitch. If he doesn't improve by the January transfer window I will definitely be looking to offload him and pick up a new striker. The fans are now unhappy about his recent run of form too, and at the moment his star quality appears to have dimmed. I am however pleased with how well Scocco is starting to do for the team, with his star quality really starting to shine through, having scored 6 goals now in his 9 appearances, with 5 of those coming his last 4 starts. It is a shame he can't play in the Champions League for us this season. Jason Steele has now backed down on his demands to leave the club, which was why I allowed him a couple of starts and also got him to sign a new contract. The treatment room is empty, which is a great bonus.