Yeah Hopefully I think we have seen this before It’s hard cause I am naturally pessimistic but I think the signs are there I really don’t think we should have broken up a title winning squad how we have done in the speed we have done it if I am proved wrong great But what I think will happen is we will draw our way out of contention- I think we will do it quite quickly too. at some point a heavy defeat will occur and that will probably wake us up as I say the ‘friendly’ atmosphere around our games has been there for a long time and it must be hard to turn the form on and off. in the last two games we have looked amazing in terms of football but lacked penetration. it’s just my opinion but I don’t expect a lot at all this year. Despite our purchases we now do indeed look a bit light but I will see how the transfer window ends. the reason I have put those predictions in early is because even if we buy a few now - I think there are too many changes to gel the team instantly which will lead to indifferent performances Salah taking pelters today but I don’t think it is a marker for the season - he is also getting involved in other issues off the field and Lord knows they have had a weird few months as a team Cause they won the league there will be added pressure on them too I think this season will be transitional Just my feelings though will back the lads no matter what
We did also dominate for parts ourselves, and we should really have gone in at halftime more than one goal up. Indeed, for the first 10 minutes of the second half, we were missing chances as well. But no argument that Palace deserved their equaliser and should have got another in normal time. Szobbo ran out of steam, Wirtz doesn't do chasing back (shades of Coutinho - I haven't a problem with that though, but we needs legs in midfield) and Jones, and then MacAllister just don't cover enough ground. Their midfield dominated the second half, even ****ing Will Hughes was running rings around Jones and Macallister. And be honest, Endo was pants as well. All that said, the four new players were sound, but we need that CB, DM, and, maybe, a winger before the window closes. Sad that Rio didn't even get on, but there's nobody bar Elliot to replace Salah now anyway, unless we're desperate and use Chiesa.
Funny what one bad result can do to people. We suddenly, desperately need another midfielder? But don't we have the same midfield that won the league last year plus wirtz? Fair, we've lost 3 forwards and only brought one in, but again jota was majority injured and nunez played 10 minutes at the end of games. We've strengthened the full back areas, and lost quansah who again hardly played. We've won the league, but on a good show in the champions league, final of a domestic cup, lost a few of the second string and strengthened amazingly, but lost a friendly to crystal Palace and are seemly in the ****. Quite an amazing reaction.
Bar the suspension. Realistically we have to go win the gsme in 60 mins with macallister and szoboszlai in the middle and then send on jones and Endo to survive the last 30.
My reaction isn’t to the Crystal Palace game it’s more based on how we have played for a while as I said coasting at the end hasn’t helped to decipher where we actually are we look good but it reminds of one of the eras under Klopp and under Rogers where if we don’t rip a team to pieces in our dominant spell we are going to struggle. I also said I think we are going to be a very entertaining watch I am also naturally pessimistic lol
Your stoic adherence to your pessimism is admirable lad. If we'd won 5 nil youd still be panicking. Its more the people that flip flop from we are the best in the world to doom and gloom sometimes several times in 90 minutes that make me chuckle.
Salah was very much like his last couple months of last season. Just felt like zero involvement, but usually gets the stats to cover it up. Tactically at least, Kerkez just left room behind him all game long, palace targeted that constantly
Plus, we were playing well before the changes And, of course, it was a glorified friendly. Players will be more switched on next week; especially VVD who was ill all last week.
Oh yeah 5-0 win means we don’t score next game Rule of 5 and all that Thought everyone knew that if we had won - I would have instantly ruled us out of the Prem title race as winning the CS is a killer for that lmao but I do think we need a result just to jolt us - we are just getting away with stuff. I just hope it doesn’t come against Utd City Arsenal Newcastle Burnley Spurs Well anyone really
Magnificent first 20 minutes. Brilliant goals from the new boys. Wirtz and Ekitike seem to have an understanding already. Frimpong is a very exciting player to watch. Great penalties from Gakpo and Szoboszlai.
I thought Wirtz looked great in that opening twenty minutes but then Palace have him a "welcoming" to PL football
It's basically back to 2017/18 season where midfield were tasked with covering the gaps left by Trent and Robbo. It's difficult to judge in full without Gravenberch and MacAllister at full pelt. Szoboszlai seems to be primed to fulfill the Wijnaldum role - that's gonna take a bit of work. His passing was off but it was only pre season effectively.
I think the ref also gave him a welcome to the PL. I've always said Kavanagh is the absolute worst of a poor bunch and he really lived up to it yesterday.
We're all disappointed, but some don't seem to be able to prevent disappointment turning into fear. The obvious reaction should be to recognise the failings and work to minimise them, and I'm sure the people that count (not us on here) will be doing that.
Szobo was really good against Athletic, getting the ball off the back 4, making some space and passing forward. Seemed to have a different role yesterday though.
