Not as bad as we feared. Some good things (other than our usual let's give goals away by cocking about at the back). Joe Aribo and Beddy MOTM for us. I'd be happy to see TP start for us now too.
At least we didn't get thrashed. Archer on the wing and TP up front might just be something. Russ needs to sit and watch the replay of our goal a thousand times, and realise this is how you play as an underdog. Chuffed for Archer; fans wrote him off far too early. Bednarek is a damn good defender sometimes. Downes not adjusting to the Prem pace very well so far.
There maybe is just enough in the squad to survive, if a huge amount goes our way. Luck, injuries, good tactics etc. But that needs to include squeezing every ounce of ability out of the players, which I'm not convinced Martin will. For example, vs Ipswich and Bmouth, KWP spent every minute sat on the bench. We're not good enough that have the luxury of leaving out KWP. Martin needs to work out, very quickly, how best to use him. It is not by benching him. Most of all though, our tactics are currently too suicidal. The risk v reward balance is all wrong.
Well can't have any complaints about that. Started very shaky first 5-10 but then settled and looked pretty good first half all things considered while they undoubtedly riding our luck a bit. Thought Bednarek was outstanding (first half at least, harder to tell second) and KWP showed why it's madness to leave him out the team. Dare I say Manning had decent game too? Loved his Cruyff turn Delighted for Archer to get off the mark and hopefully he can take some confidence from it - I'd be starting him every game now. Took the goal brilliantly too, proper scenes in the away end went that went in. Ref was an utter disgrace. Worst I've seen in years comfortably - and I don't just mean poor, it's corruption pure and simple. Much needed performance after Bournemouth but we have to carry it into Leicester as it's pointless otherwise. UTFS
Based on Monday’s game I was expecting at least 5-0, so despite the desperate defending and the assists we had for their equaliser and third goal, I am okay with this result. Great ball winning and pass by Fernandes for the goal and a top drawer finish from Archer. The commentary team were so desperate for VAR to rule a foul when Fernandes robbed Saka, the twats. Dibling really excites me when he is on the ball and the way he skinned Calafiori at the start of the second half was outstanding. His eye for a pass is also a reason why he could play in a central midfield role. Paul looks as if he could add something to the team so should at least remain in the match day squad.
We do have pace in our side to score on the counter attack but this is always completely nullified with our tippy tappy - tiki taka Pound-shop Pep's insistence that we play out from the back and can't go direct. Ramsdale had obviously a gutful of this today and decided to (on occasion) lump it forward, this always keeps the opposition on their collective toes because they can't always predict what's coming ie do we press or don't we? We can play more directly than the usual back sideways back sideways we have seen so much of previously, don't know if this is a shift in RM's approach or the players playing what's in front of them?
