Our away record includes losing to all opposition, not just good opposition... To be fair, I think we'd actually be in this game if not for the initial gaf.
Fair point. Point I was trying to make is that you have to be more defensive away against top oppo and even managers like SAF were. “as if he should play two DMs against better oppo.” However hard to do that if the manager only has one DM in his toolbox. We need Amrabat & Mainoo available so bad …
it's quite sad folks have to keep mentioning a kid with no real first team experience as vital to our season. but that's where we are. overburdening another young talent
Lindelof is so bad. Once every 10 games he’ll look great and give us hope, only to remind us for the next month that he’s soft as baby shit and is constantly lost on the field.
Nice goal from Cas, good team play in build up. Then horrible defending from Lindelof brings it back to 4-2. Bruno fk & Cas finish makes it 4-3. Fin. When Amra / Mainoo avail would play Cas higher pivot on attack - at least he contributes to the attack and his mobility is becoming a big issue on transitions. Was actually better than I feared after the Brighton game. A lot of issues persist though.
The cycle is usually; - injured - back as sub but looks disinterested / reluctant - gets some more minutes and eventually starts looking just ok - after a few more games looks top quality for a game or two - gets injured again So hopefully he nails it for a few games before his next injury …
One would like to think that when you were booed while being subbed on for another player, the previous game, that it may be gave you a kick in the ass. Nahhhh, nevermind.
re: Onana or Onana vs DdG and who is better this is what you get with Onana. comfortable on the ball and good passer but less of a shot stopper. DdG is a better shot stopper and a lesser passer. so depending on what you value we've improved the position, gotten worse or it's roughly net even
Except his passing really hasn't helped the team as a whole. As for this game, in the end we lose by a goal after Onana gifted them one and they got a cheap penalty.
well as i said in the transfer window thread his passing will only help IF the team is functioning well. we can barely retain the ball for 5 passes anyway and we are leaking more than 2 goals a game so what does it matter than he can pass and sweep up. no one is in good form either. not a single player
anyway before i forget +ves: Reguilón - looking like the Sevilla days again. if he keeps this up long term it will be an improvement overall at LB Højlund - scored, good attitude and effort. let's hope it doesn't get dminished by the overall mood ============== as an aside, what's going on with Martínez?? looks a shadow of the player from last season. worrying
Partial mitigation is that almost every player around him is not who he is used to; - Lindelof as a CB pair rather than Varane - different / new LB in Reguilon & before that Dalot (who doesnt usually play LB) rather than Shaw - was Mount as left pivot in CM on defence (though back to Eriksen who he is used to - but also having a bad start to the season) - less of an issue but also a new gk behind him too However has still been poor, but his position is most disrupted by changes to those around him esp from injuries.
There was some fight there at the end so that’s gotta be a plus. Playing Eriksen is like playing with one less player. Subbing him for McTominay is perfect cuz they both offer nothing. lol
Martinez trying hard to play like Cannavaro and do everything on his own. Needs to trust his teammates more.
Not totally, just more. It's like with Rashford and his dribbles. Anyways, I think ten Hag is trying to get everyone to trust each other more. Some of the passing, movement has made us look like a team. But when we defend, everyone seems to be in their own world. And I think we are really missing Varane's leadership at the back. He's vital to us.
You admit you need more defensively. So why play Eriksen, who has been a liability? We were never going to have possession this game, so play someone who can run and track. Hell, play Bruno deeper if you have to. Just give me someone who will actually run. Whether it's Scott playing 10 or Hannibal.
ETH values possession so thats easy. ------ People are shitting on him. Ill post one DDG compilation from just the last season to remind you guys with bad memory.