Also had a deflection Realistically it's on our defence for not reacting to the parry and punting it into the stands
We need a focal point up front, desperately. Odobert and Xavi are struggling to get in behind this lot. They’ve got us all worked out and the only threat once again is Kudus, and that’s partly because he’s more physical.
Vicario has an aversion to catching or holding the ball like many modern keepers. His instinct is to parry and that has led to the last two goals we have conceded
Terrible ref as usual. Could have had a couple more though. Tel doing well. Vicario has to push that further!
Disappointing first half. I think the most damning thing is that I don’t really see what the structure is for progressing the ball and holding onto it through the phases. It seems to either need to go straight forward (and we don’t always have the runners and movement for that) or we just sit there with it. Ref has been odd too - let a lot go early on the started blowing for literally everything. It’s hard to get a read on him and a few out there on yellows will need to be careful. Tel is trying but I wouldn’t be against seeing Richy on for the second half as more of a focal point and moving Tel to the left to have a go there instead of Odobert, who has been a bit in and out of things.
it’s a bit weird watching us at the moment. It feels like we don’t really get out of 2nd gear, but then lose patience and try to find Kudus with a ball over the top. All quite predictable.
It doesn’t help that Bentancur and Palhinha are playing very similarly at the moment. We know Bentancur has it in him to run and game and bring the ball forward out of tight areas but we really haven’t seen it often enough from him after his run of injuries. I’d want to suggest taking him off and having Bergvall or Sarr play that deeper, more progressive role, but Palhinha being on a yellow complicates that decision.
