Hopefully we are now close to our best 11, there are some close calls , but here's mine GK Reluctantly, Sanchez ( who needs replacing ASAP) Back 4 Easy Gusto Fofana Colwill Cucurella Midfield Casiedo Palmer Lavia Forwards Madueke Jackson Sancho Until Neto plays in his correct position on the right, I'll have Sancho every time on the left. No more players out of their best positions. We have enough players without resorting to playing them out of position, which screwed us against Newcastle. Memo to Maresca. Reece Jones is a Right back, not a Left. Malo Gusto is also a right back Neto is a right forward, not a left. My tip ?? If we dion't win this one we are back to square one !!. Whoops !! Jadon Sancho is ineligible and also not well so, that lets Neto back in as he's in better form than Mudryk.
I would agree with this. We need to win this, a) To keep up the momentum and b) To prove that we are able to compete for a top 4 place. If Spurs can go to OT and batter them 0-3, then i'd expect us to at least get 3 points here. As for the team. I'd also agree with playing people out of position....its not the way forward
I Have no problem with Neto coming on the left as a sub, he's not a bad player, just better on the right, same with any of them really, but when you have a specialist in form, play him where he does best I reckon.
That was the worst performance for a long time, zero enthusiasm, energy or drive. Cannot count how many times we gave the ball away, how many times Reece James passed straight to an opponent, how sloooow we were at the back all game. It looked like we were playing Walk Ball. United are a really **** Team, but at least they tried to attack, that is when they weren't spread 10 men across the goals !! What a dreadful game. Hate to say it but we looked a much better Team without Reece James. Maybe he's still not match fit, but he's down on pace and makes no forward runs anymore. Looked a perfect set up to pull Jackson and bring on Nkuku second half, he can score in tight spaces. Oh well, always next week, but we need to get our drive back, and quick. Lost opportunity and we were not good enough to claim 3rd place on ladder.
Pretty damp by all accounts. United there for the taking but there didn't seem to be any real drive to want to get it done.
I know, but he's better on the right. When replacing Sancho on the left, he was no better. Sancho was outed after 2 mediocre games, I think that was harsh from Maresca, who was also playing James out of position, and I can't see why he does that. We have looked less composed with James at left back than we do with Cucurella there. Still, as Manager he has to keep searching for his best 11, which might need to change a bit depending on opposition.Can't say he's not going well with us in 4th spot in the tables, so really just thinking out loud.
And there we go, put Neto on the right against Arsenal, Cucurella to left back, and bingo. And boy we needed that goal. A somewhat quality lacking game against Arsenal got its' moment of quality. An interesting struggle by 2 sides not at their best but both determined. Arsenal looked smoother, better controlled and slicker in possession, Chelsea were again quite slow, and dreadful in keeping the ball, but on the break looked dangerous. Levi Colwill will be glad his awful passing throughout this game was not punished. Nevertheless in a different way, a step forward again. Cole Palmers' 2nd minute strike would have elevated his status even higher but for a brilliant fingertip save by Raya. Our high spot of the game for me.
