Only started watching from 55th odd minutes but here are my thoughts: Fuchs impressed me - he has a excellent long throw which be a very good weapon once the other players learn how to control it and is a good crosser and free kick taker as well. Benalouane is dominant in the air - was always in the right place and nothing got passed him. King played really well - was a captains performance. Kante is a very busy player - is a dynamo and never stopped running. Krameric seems out of his depth - did nothing of consequence apart from a really bad dive. Raneiri was hyping up the crowd at the end and people really responded - got to start thinking of a song for him. We are the only team unbeaten in all competitions! West Ham should have had a penalty in extra time though...
Bloody hell, that took a long time because we absolutely battered them, pleased the team got the job done though, especially as it was effectively our reserves against their first team. Stand-out performers for me were Fuchs (that cross for the winning goal was an absolute beauty), Benalouane, and Kante, of course, who always plays like he's on crack. Inler impressed me too- in short, most of the summer signings seemed to play well. The real positive is that we do have these options now should Ranieri choose to tinker. Agreed that Kramaric was very frustrating though, that run he did in the first half where he absolutely skinned Collins and then decides to do a terrible chip to beat Adrian about summed him up. Ulloa also looked a little slow, maybe it's because I'm used to the pace of Okazaki and Vardy, not entirely sure the former two did anything to suggest they could supplant the latter. Lovely to see King score as ever, his header was pure composure!
Arsenal away... Liverpool away... Man City away... But no, not us! Great game, really pleased how much we went for it in extra time, shows good fitness levels and great desire!
We all fancy ourselves as wannabe managers in saying who should or shouldn't be in the side but I think I will leave the team selection to Claudio now lol Great way to silence the doubters/pundits! Onwards and upwards. Up The City!!
Some selection headaches for ranieri - I feel king and DD may be the best cm partnership with Kante a great sub.
Chuffed he (Fuchs) had a good un. He´s a really good player & I´m hoping he can get in the team alot more. He was good here in Germany & was a regular for Schalke 04 (sorry the family are Dortmund fans, it´s like Spurs & Arsenal those 2) Still a good win & 21,268. Not bad for a cup game. "UTF"
One thing looks certain, we have a pretty dam good squad. 1 or 2 better DEF´s next season & it´ll be very interesting to see just how high up the lge we can finish. Between 14th & 10th is what I´ll go for this season.
Wow, I´ve just seen the high light, could of, should of been 4 or 5. How many 1 on 1´s did we fluff ? must be some sort of lge cup record. Still nice goals, chuffed for Dodoo & nice header by king. No fault give for their goal, nasty deflection. Good win.
Benalouane and Fuchs give us a different option. Neither Morgan or Huth have done much to suggest they are undroppable and I would suggest Benalouane in particular may have proved himself enough to start against Arsenal. His distribution was especially good, and it was good to see him get a full game at CB, which is clearly his best position. Fuchs is a trickier one, as to fit him in you'd either have to drop Schlupp, which is unfair as he's played well, or push him forward to the wing, where he looked a little unconvincing last night. However, he played well there in the corresponding fixture last season. Some have suggested Fuchs at right back, but I just don't think he'd be as potent there. Personally, I think if we want to go a little defensive, I'd play Fuchs at left wing and Schlupp left back. Fuchs' distribution, with Albrighton (who also whipped a few fantastic crosses in) on the other side would cause many teams problems, especially Arsenal's somewhat shaky defence.
Just my opinion. Until yesterday i thought Kante, but i wonder if currently his energy is better used as a sub with DD and the now-ever-so-steady King next to him
I think this performances shows there are ready-made quality replacements for virtually everyone in the first team. If we see drops in form like last season, the reserves will be straight in. Frustrated for Inler though - just doesn't seem to be happening for him yet. He was the most exciting for all the summer signings for me, but conversely he's been the biggest disappointment so far.
Inler showed glimpses of his quality last night, I'm not overly concerned as I'm pretty sure he'll come good, plus we're in a good position as all of his competition is playing damn well too.
It took Cambiasso nearly 10 games to really get to the speed of the Premier League and so far it looks like it will take Inler abit of time but time is one thing we do have for him but didnt really for Cambiasso Early signs are good with Inler
Inler has quality, of that there is no doubt, I'm just dubious if he fits our style of play at this present moment He seems to slow things down a little too much. I think a 5 man midfield would really suit him though with runners around him. Hopefully though after 10 games he will get up to speed and we will start to see the real Inler. Thankfully we are blessed with numerous options with are squad. Happy days
I´m looking forward to seeing how Dodoo progresses, he looks like a very good player in the making. I´m play him more this season or send him out on loan to a middle to top championship team.
