There were chances but we always give defenders a chance to get back in. It's not like we opened them up with a series of passes. I think we're too predictable in the final third and organised defences can deal with that. Also agree with Ten Hag in his post-match when he said our players were too static. That's also part of the same problem.
He had one assist for Rashford's first goal but otherwise didn't do much imo. You can see the difference between him and Eriksen. Bruno's better than that though, he's just nowhere near his best.
I think our build up play was/is too pedestrian. Playing from the back doesn’t work against premiership teams who are fast and aggressive. When we try to play from the back, we are so slow that teams who press hard capitalise on our mistakes at the back. Against Liverpool and Arsenal we played to our strengths. Against City we tried to mix it with them but came up ridiculously short like boys against men. I’m afraid for that Everton match, unless we play to our strengths we will get nothing.
I’m not convinced yet by our lineup in the middle of the park. I think we need the best of Bruno to really make it click. Whenever Bruno struggles in a match, things become pitchy. But to be fair, this unit is still new to each other. We have to wait until the turn of the year or half way through the season before we can really judge where we are. Just blows that the season will go on hold again for World Cup.
Agree with this. It would be ok if we could bring it out quickly from defence to midfield. Instead all too often it's pedestrian and we're relying on that killer through ball which bypasses the midfield. Great when it works but you can't rely on it every game.
At least one thing has changed in the last few games, we are actually scoring goals now. We struggled with that in the first few games. But I do not know when the defensive issues will get fixed especially if Varane remains injured.
I'd be hopefully Varane is back Sunday as the alternatives are ****e. Maguire aside of course, although I think he's further back than Varane as far as coming back is concerned? Not 100% sure. One of Varane or Maguire needs to be playing alongside Martinez Sunday or we're ****ed. At the other end, hopefuly last night put to bed any demands Ronaldo might have to start games. If he thinks he's worthy of being in a Champions league side then please crack on, yesterday tells me he's not. Plus, the idea he'd have made any difference to last Sunday against City is exposed as laughable. Personally, I think Sancho needs to step down on the back of recent (non)performances and that the front three should be Martial, Rashford and Antony. Need I actually say Casemiro replaces McTominay? No, thought not.
Martial needs to play, for sure! I agree that Sancho needs to step up his game. Also, Garnacho is there playing in EFL when his tenacity is much needed in the first team in my opinion. McTominay needs to give way going forward. We have to start Casemiro! Otherwise, how do we even justify spending all that money on him? Makes no sense. It’s like we can’t get out of our own way. He needs games to blend into the team and there are no easy games. So just throw the man in ffs!! Ronaldo’s situation is perfect example of how the club has become too slow to act on critical matters. Same way we should have acted on Pogba those summers ago, Ronaldo should have been let go this summer. But we got too emotional and became completely paralyzed by it. That needs to change.
I wouldn't start Rashford myself, I'd give him a break as he's needed Sunday. One of his injury issues is wear and tear, made worse by multiple matches. We've league games Sunday and Wednesday next week. Antony, Elanga and Sancho can play the wider roles, plus Garnacho, and Ronaldo as centre forward. Should more than suffice.
Well Bruno starts with Fred and Casemiro. Bruno needs a good game here, he needs to put in a performance. We won't improve until he does.
Two changes I would make are Lindelof off and Varane on, and also Dalot off. But then I look at the bench and no sign of wan Bissaka. Assume he's injured? Plenty chances, and the keeper has made some good saves, but we're lacking in intent, it's just not urgent enough.
I completely despair at the commentary. Savage and the ABU next to him banging on about expecting to see loads of early goals from us A marked difference in the performance from last week. For 40 mins we were playing expansive football, passing into the spaces on the pitch and moving the ball into the box quickly. We created so many chances, but for poor finishing we'd be at least 2/3 goals up. Completely dominated that half. But the performance was better last week apparently
Dalot's not had the pace to keep up with Bruno for Omonia. Fred has been a bit hit and miss imo with his passing. I still feel it's a matter of time before we score. Unless we have a brainfart at the back and concede ofcourse!
Dalot will always be exposed defensively and he's not even that good going forward as his final ball is almost always rubbish. It's an area we need to improve on if wan Bissaka isn't getting another go. Appreciate it's the Championship but Ethan Laird looks, to me, better in both attack and defense than Dalot. Could be wrong of course, it could be too much a step up, but I think he's worth a look next season. But then I've said such things about the likes of Axel Tuanzebe.