That’s funny I’ve just come off the phone to him as well he said he’d been speaking to this Irish fella and couldn’t understand a word he was saying.
Totally agree, wasn't a fast slick performance, but a hard grafting performance, players giving their all, and it showed. Absolutely enjoyed the match, but can i give a mention to meslier his distribution was spot on, and safe as houses, he will be one of the worlds top keepers in five to ten years, as for struijk as someone else said, he just keeps getting better each game and will be a world class top player, the future certainly is looking bright. just one fly in the ointment (apart from the injuries to our newly arrived) was Costa don't think he had a successful pass to one of our players in all the time he was on, and gave away a dangerous free kick. Other than that wow, particularly from Paddy, well done lad.
Agreed. Oddly enough, my youngest & I were monitoring Hilda. We only counted 3 out of 3, but may have missed the first. Shocking, really. I could have contributed as much & saved us £15m. Been telling you lot about Struijk since his u23 days. Our terrible injuries might have been a Godsend, as I don't think Struijk would have had to opportunity to flourish like this with everyone fit. He could be a mainstay for years to come. Certainly plays like he already is!! Worried about Raphinha. Not so much about Rodrigo, as I felt we played like our old selves when he went off. Most refreshing - even if we hadn't won. I wonder if Bielsa will now replace Alioski at LB. Dallas had to take over as Ali was failing. He clearly noticed it by switching him. Looking forward to seeing the lineup for the next match.
Meslier - 7. Looked comfortable with all his saves. Distribution was better. Should have caught at least one ball instead of punching. Ayling - 6. Tested defensively but was good starting our attacks. Cooper - 7. Made some questionable decisions but they came off for him today. Gambles too often for my liking Struijk - 8. I thought Struijk looked comfortable all game. Did the easy thing. Read the game well. Made it look easy had a great first touch to set up the second goal. Alioski - 5. He just isn't quite at PL levels. The lad is trying and doing a job for us but he is the weak link in defence. Phillips - 5. Another quiet game from him. Sat too deep first 25 minutes and grew in to the game from there. Lost a couple of duels that he should be winning. Left standing still too often as Leicester midfielders played it around him. Rodrigo - 4. Didn't offer anything in attack or defence before going off injured. Dallas - 8. Quiet first 25 mins followed by a goal and a big hand in the last goal. Superb workrate and some clever footwork in tight spaces. Raphinha - 7. Another assist. Worked his socks off and always looking to get on the ball. Hope he isn't injured. Harrison - 7. A tap in at the end but a couple of decent efforts going forward. Defensively was a rock. Bamford - 9. Two assists and a goal. Incredible workrate. Jonny Evans will be sore tonight, gave him a battering. Subs. Klich - 7. Best performancefor a long time. The last goal typified what we need from Klich. Realised Dallas was getting the loose ball so broke forward and clever prod in to Bamford path. Costa - 5. Did a great job defensively but his entire contribution with the ball was two wayward passes, a miscontrol in to touch and giving away a foul.
If we have any irons in the fire in regards to possible signings tomorrow and pulling the trigger then Orta needs to get on the phone tonight. I’d settle for a LB or CM who can walk straight into the team.
I disagree with your rating for Philips, he pinged some great passes and did exactly what we needed him to do
Cooper worried me throughout. He does most games tbf. Today the end results worked favourably for us. He takes too many chances for my liking though. The shirt pulling that VAR checked could have gone either way. Twice he pushed too far up leaving a big gap behind. Alioski noticed and dropped in to fill that gap leaving our left flank totally exposed. It's easy to point at Alioski all the time but look at the position of the centre half sometimes. The tackle at the end where he took man and ball looked terrific (I cheered it myself) but if he gets that a split second wrong it's a needless red card when we are struggling for numbers at CB. I've given Struijk immense praise today as he was there to cover everything in case it went wrong.
Was I ****. I've only opened my 3rd tinnie. Hoping I don't end up in hospital after my last fall downstairs because no one is here.
Here's a question, do you want Brighton to beat Spurs because it will keep Spurs 3pts closer to us for a Euro spot?
