Your second point - late in the game Spurs play a poor long pass, Krafth just needs to leave it but donks a header back to Spurs. Where the **** is Pope there?? Honestly, I think Pope's exactly what he was - a relegation 'keeper. I get we have restrictions, but we're looking at a Pope sub in Trafford when a really progressive club woulld replace him and put him on the bench. I think we'll get there, Howe's on a journey too.
1. I was thinking in context of how much more confident / assured our defence looks (generally) when Pope plays vs when Dubs plays. 2. I did say 'good' (not great). But maybe that's still being generous. Point 3 still stands.
It’s the parrying instead of catching that gets me. He could have caught some of the balls that he pushed out.
Dubs is genuinely really ****. I mean, almost any keeper in the professional game can "shot stop". Comparing the two is irrelevant. I think Pope probably communicates ok - except for the Krafth header I mentioned - but he's someone that surely needs an upgrade. I just think it's a bit disappointing we get credited with interest in Marma, then bid £15m for Trafford (who's also bang average, by the way), before we end the window with £70m+ in our pocket and Marma signing for Liverpool for £30m. I mean, at least strengthen ONE ****ing position, guys.
Really good win this is you know. Not because of performance or anything just such great timing given the window noise and the international break coming up. Keeping the narrative positive will have a huge impact on our season. Also a mention for Barnes I think he'll make a big difference for us in big moments this year. He's really clinical if not that guy who is going to play every min. Krafth too. Gives it all he's got and very reliable as a squad player.
Few thoughts on the match; - Livramento is potentially massive for this club. - Tonali is different gravy. - Gordon is hugely out of sorts. - Krafth is a better CB than Burn. - We'd potentially be better off going 3 at the back. - Being resolute is important, but it wears thin.
Hopefully willock and schar are available for the next run of games. I really want the players and the club to make the ungrateful fans that are complaining about keeping money back eat humble pie
. Fair enough but I have it in for almost every living organism on earth so it's difficult for me to commit to that.
