I thought we did ok tbh. Some great defending at times from some players such as Manquillo. I thought we did well to deal with Liverpool, and could have easily scored 2-3 goals. We were finally undone by ball playing mistakes and a world class goal. 3-1 away to Liverpool where we were right in the game for 80+ mins is a decent sign. We didn't do so bad. Ratings - Dubz - 7 - Some great reflex saves, couldn't really blame him for the goals. Manq - 7 - Pretty solid. Schar - 6 - ok Lascelles - 6 - ok Lewis - n/a - Injury. Murphy - 6.5 - Good defensive work rate and decent all round play. Joelinton - 7 - Good work rate, hold up and great dribbling. I like his fight. Hayden - 5.5 - An improvement over Willock as a CM in a 4-4-2. I like his aggression and is better at winning the ball that our other CM's who just give away fouls, but his ball playing abilities and decision making aren't great. Shelvey - 6 - Good goal, but horrible back pass. Fraser - 7.5 - MOTM - I really like the look of this guy. Good defensive work rate, and really helped us up the pitch with his runs. Could have had some assists yesterday. Was my MOTM. Some will disagree, but I think he was our all round best player yesterday. ASM - 6.5 - Did the best he probably could as a lone striker with little support. EDDIE - 7 - Team was well organised and played an interesting counter attacking style in a 4-4-1-1.
Can’t really argue with your points and comments. I agree that was defiantly Fraser best game. The referee cost us in some respects but I still think we would have lost either way. They are just way better. I am starting to get frustrated (that’s the right word) with ASM. I think he did well in patches but overall under Howe it just doesn’t seem to be clicking. He maybe needs a break.
4-4-2 doesn't suit him really. I think we should try 4-3-3 at some point, but I think 4-4-2 is maybe necessary to help us defensively. I think it's a selection headache between Joelinton, ASM and Wilson for the forward roles.
Eh? Even when he's anonymous most of the game he's sometimes our greatest threat and sets up good chances. I'd say he's a liability depending on how deep he's expected to drop. Will all he's done so far, if others such as fraser, hayden etc are getting a 2nd chance under howe, ASM still deserves more ****ing time. How long was Joelinton useless for?
Not saying he’s not a threat, he just hasn’t got the fight in him when you need him in the trenches. Spends half his time moaning on the floor.
Not sure I fully agree, but just an opinion - I thought Fraser was very average. I accept he did work reasonably hard. His final ball is probably the worst in the squad, he constantly makes bafflingly bad decisions. And he's so slow, even though he looks like he's rapid. He's a flurry of arms and legs without actually going anywhere. Thought Ritchie was typically **** when he came on as well. Bright point was playing 3 in CM; it's the best we've played because even against one of the finest teams in the World we had our moments. I still think Howe is getting the selections wrong, as he had Joelinton as left CM with Hayden right CM - why not just play Hayden at DCM, Joelinton right and someone like Almiron LCM? That way you've got two lads in the middle who know how to get forward, but both work back? ASM up top I understand, because it stops too many long balls expecting him to hold it up.
I think we gave a very good account of ourselves, hoping we can take away a lot of the positives and apply it to the two home games coming.
I don't disagree much but I think max played well max. The minute he went off we had no threat whatsoever. Should perhaps have done better with his shots but otherwise Schar I thought played well he plays the passes the other cbs don't and that leads, to one or two going wrong. I think shelvey had good game personally. Scored and was winning the ball much more than usual Fraser did actually have a good game yesterday I might be wrong I was very encouraged to @Ben 10
