Thursday, October 20, 2005
Grasshoppers Zurich 0 Boro 1
An away win, 3 points and a great start to the group stage - just! After a perfect start, and a flowing move resulting in Jimmy's first of the season, we never looked convincing - looking messy, undisciplined and very average for the majority of the game.Grasshoppers responded well to going one down and carried more momentum, especially in the 2nd half, which was pretty much backs to the wall! OK, we were unlucky several times on the break, but so were they, having a perfectly good goal disallowed amongst their woes. Boro rode their luck for sure; Nemeth was having one of his amateur nights and Mendieta wasn't much better. James Morrison came on after the hour to bring some forward motion and commitment to the team and looked good; Viduka was OK if unspectacular; and Doriva had the best of the midfield, skimming the post from close range in his best move after the goal assist.
An occasion where fortune was on our side (which is always welcome), but I have to argue with the boss who again let loose his catchphrase on the media saying the back four were "magnificent". They got away with it is more accurate...! Still a bit of glory on our travels and let's be positive, it is only one defeat from seven. Can't help thinking there is work to do though, first for West Ham and sooner than is comfortable Man Utd, just around the corner.
My MOTM: Southgate at the back did enough and always worked hard, getting the nod - Doriva would have been the choice if he'd buried his goal chance.
