A potentially tricky game for us which we ultimately saw through quite comfortably (in my opinion at least). Our defence is still a shambles. More work needs to be done here and as we have already seen, the better teams will be able to score goals against us. I think we are starting to see our best 11 being created now. Enzo is not in that and I think maybe by the end of the season he'll be gone. I just don't see a space for him or any of the impact he should be having. Our front line looks like it's starting to click. Jackson turning up in the right places and doing what it is he's there to do. Palmer needs to have the team built around him. We simply cannot afford to let him go at any cost and I know we have locked him in for a long time but this is a once in a generation talent. A Chelsea legend in the making. Overall 7/10. A tough, well organised opponent well beaten at home.
I think the back 4 individually were OK, but James and Gusto are both right siders, James was on the wrong sides for me.That said all 4 made important saves when we were under pressure, just not playing great collectively.. Reece James still looks well off where he needs to be. Understandable. I also think Maresca has stopped them both (James and Gusto) making forward runs, which in my opinion, is the greatest strength of both of them. The "inverted" style he loves is needed with Fernandez in midfield, but NOT with Casiedo and Lavia there. More thought required on back 4 play, depending on who is in midfield ?? Those two in midfield were both excellent again. Overall very good win and a game we probably would have lost last season.
Oh for sure.The difference between this season and last is that we have a little more quality in our forward players (Neto and Sancho have been good additions) plus Jackson seems to have improved, but the main difference is that our midfield has clicked, which is why we are starting to score goals regularly. Like others have said, our defence is where we need to focus now mainly, as we still look very leaky and as stated, the better teams especially will have good fortune against us in our current state.
