Those stats from 2016 look spookily similar to yesterday's. As pointed out though, they aren't completely correct. I just read the match report which stated that Heaton's best save was from a Firmino long range shot, so our 0 shots on target is wrong too. Other similarities are - it was a game early in the season (August) and Burnley were newly promoted. I don't remember the specifics of the game, maybe I didn't watch it, so my remembrance of yesterday's game being the most defensive I've seen, still stands. Our defensive errors came from Moreno and Clyne.
I'll readily admit that I thought Gravenberch at no6 was lunacy. I thought we were playing a no10, or 8 at best, in the wrong poisition. But that's because I thought a No. 6 was someone like the Caiceo we missed out on, Rice, or the Fab we once had. He was terrific again yesterday, as was Szobbo, but, tbf, he had absolutely no defending to do apart from about three breakaways in the whole game. As for Wirtz, I still think he and Macca are getting in each other's way at times, but I see him as another Coutinho, and he will come good.
Tbf Wirtz has nearly scored twice now with powerful low shots which obviously doesn't get you any points but it shows that he knows which positions to take up. Keep it up and one will eventually go in and then another and another. He's still getting used to the physicality of the league and where he fits in to the team. As already noted, he's getting in Macallister's way but it will sort itself out the more games they play.
Gravenberch is a Dutch total football exponent. He glides. It's kind of like windypops except gravemberch can do more than turn around 5 times before laying it off 5 yards. Seriously though wijnaldum was lw or 10 for newcastle. We put him at deep lcm so henderson and salah could be high up and he never had an issue defensively. Gravenberch is reading the game rather than destroying it. He is that good as seeing the positions he can affect the paly positively as well as defensively. It is an awesome success for us. Just needed games, as does Elliott and frankly as does Jones. Gravenberch has a manager that will not drop him so he's just going to be sharp and brilliant. Elliott had to move to find it. I hope he can improve. Wirtz has a man that will play him but he needs to find his way and imo in bigger games he will come more into the game as there will be more space as teams actually attack. Let's break the 4 games down. Bournemouth. Crazy kind of game and he played 60. Newcastle- extremely physical game. Enabled by the ref. Arsenal - neither side wanted to support forwards. No space, he still ran himself into the groud Burnley 11men back, no space. Was too ahead of the ball for me. So wirtz has had 3 games in a row there where a creative 10 needs to be on the ball making something happen but as I said originally slot has this idea of Ekitike and him switching so our 10 for past one touch paly is up.agaisnt a big cb. I hope in europe he can come.alive.he is topping the milage charts so its not for the want of trying so far.
Way too early to be writing anyone off. I think the thing with Salah as well is we almost underestimated the impact TAA had him on. The passes through and over for Salah, created so much space. The 1/2s.. Salah had 6/7 years of playing in front of one RB and is now adapting to a whole new player behind him, as well as Wirtz and Ekitike alongside him. Salah will come good, he’s too good a player not too, but it’s also not a bad thing that we are winning games where Salah isn’t doing much. How many times last year where we told, look where you’d be if Salah wasn’t scoring goals etc, just because he was involved in everything. He won’t be around in 12/24 months time and Slot has to find a new way to win games and that transition starts now. Wirtz, no doubt will come good. Still think he’s getting used to teams closing him down so quickly - comes with territory of being £100m player unfortunately. But he’s not only in a new team and new league but he’s in a team that is also developing with Ekitike, kerkez, Frimpong/bradley all playing different roles to their predecessor and having to get some understanding. He seems to be wanting to play little 1-2s with Salah and gakpo when they cut inside and couple very nearly came off to create chances. That understanding will come and when Isak is taking attention away from him then feel will open things up more.
Some good points there and roughly how I see it. I thought in preseason Wirtz and Ekitike had an almost telepathic understanding and I expected it to grow. I know preseason is all about fitness and not results but you do get a feel for how players will fit Slot's system. All the new players look the real deal. The only exception atm is Kerkez who has been very much hot and cold. He too will find consistency. My only other reservation about him is that I think Robbo still has lots to give. There was a distinct difference when he came on.
The key for me is Frimpong and Kerkez getting games behind them. One has had an injury and the other has made some daft errors. Those two at full pelt will change the dynamics of how we attack.
Other than the goal v Newcastle, didn’t think kerkez been too bad. Not great, still needs to develop an understanding with gakpo out wide as he’s making a lot more inside runs which is where gakpo likes to go and just congesting things. If makes that inside run needs to get beyond early so he takes player with him beyond the line to free up space. The dive was stupid and hopefully as he was subbed off for that reason (crowd hoping for a 2nd yellow on every foul) he’ll realise not to do it again. I think Robertson has things to offer and maybe even has an extra fire now having lost his place after 7 years of undisputed number 1. Certainly helps when he comes in as he’s gone alongside vvd Grav and gakpo who were the core of that left hand side last year as well
I'd rather he start showing the dribbling and passing ability. As for othe comments made. Who said anything about writing anyone off
I said during pre-season I was concerned that there were too many changes for a smooth transition from last season, and clearly that's the case. However, I was worried that the bedding-in might mean we'd lose too much ground at the start of the season, so I'm chuffed that we're actually still winning despite the fact that players are taking time to settle. As for Mo, well - he always has periods where he looks ineffective for most of the game, but still manages to pop up with a goal or two. I'm confident he'll come good before AFCON. And be pants afterwards.
On Robbo think he will benefit from not playing week in week out we have to remember how many new players we are trying to integrate into the team all at the same time so link up play etc will not be as fluent as in the past but hopefully will be soon.
You're right he hasn't been bad at all. I think, for me, it boils down to Kerkez maybe trying too hard to impress. He will gradually find his groove.
.... and if it isn't, we'll just bring on Ngumoha and Frimpong to liven things up. That passage of play that eventually led to the penalty started with a pass from the youngster to Frimpong that was simply sumptuous.
I think kerkez is hard to read. Wtf is he thinking kind of thing. Yes slot has to trust him.and he did at home.v arsenal. However away I dont think he really believes the lad sees the risk. Until they have that trust he will probably sub him Ideally kerkez will prove less impulsive as he settles bit let's talk reality. Robertson has done plenty of dim things over time.
