Problems, problems. yet here we sit with 6/6 points after two tricky games played without out normal first midfield and then without a RB yesterday for 70m. nice problems to have - patience is the word of the day
fair enough, and God knows, if we beat Arse on Sunday, it will be an incredible start. Of the new guys, Ekitike is fabulous, Frimpong, imo, was fine if unspectacular, Wirtz is looking uncomfortable with the system, Rio is unbelievable, but Kerkez started well in pre-season, but has gotten worse with every game. I'm sure he didn't become a bad player overnight - he was mint for Bournemouth and Hungary last season. I'll stick with him, no probs. But Konate is a worry. Virgil is too old to carry that defence forever. He needs a solid lieutenant at his side. We need that CB (plus another if we're shifting Ibou).
I'm not too worried about Wirtz. Bournemouth, Newcastle and Atrsenal are the worst teams you could face as a new player getting used to the pace of the PL. Eventually we will be up against some low block sides which will allow him to showcase what he is good at.
In summary, we scored 3 superb, well worked goals, (particularly the winner), unlike their 2, as they were beneficiaries of our mistakes. We weren't at our best but none of our goals were lucky, they were top class strikes. The game boils down to who can get the ball in the net the most times and we have lots of players who can do that while having an otherwise quiet or unremarkable game.
so many good things about that last goal - I only saw the highlights as am on holiday and o lost my stream half way through the second half. Who was the player who played it round the corner and got flattened? That pass opened everything up.
Wirtz is working hard but just not getting on the ball. It was a bad game for him as thr back line were hoofing it away so he was watching it fly over his head mostly. He ran about but didn't impose himself. Slot seems to want him to run beyond Ekitike as the lad drops deep so he is then out if the game. Salah was completely out of the game too. Did nothing, but he is immune from analysis. 1 goal, 1 assist from 2 games when "out of the game" I thought it just a straight battle and you know if you dont get a kick you did something wrong. Jones didn't get a kick either. Gakpo, Ekitike, Szoboszlai, gravenberch, kerekz, vvd, konate all got battered in one way or another. Salah just got the hump with hooper. He got one kick of burn. Wirtz really didn't do much to get a dig. Jones for some reason survived that entire game without either fouling and getting a card or being fouled.
Gravenberch. It was a good move because our players got between their lines and when their midfielder all went at the press and it got played at gravenberch. Once he just got it out of there in time. It was 4 on 3 automatically as the smart players like chiesa, szobo and salah were already in positions. Salah played a good ball but in reality it was wide one for us as we had the extra man. Szoboszlai knew it to so really good from him. The difference between intent to play and switched off is massive. We got between the lines and the pressed where they shouldn't all go and opened right up.
I think a draw but what I will add is, IF a team loses I think they will be the ones pushing for the title at the end of the season
Give wirtz time. He's running hard. He's just not got the space or time to settle yet. He will get there. The player who is undroppable now is Szoboszlai. He has really raised his game to compete. Great reaction to buys.
The stats I saw said Wirtz completed 23/24 passes. When he gets the ball, he's doing ok. Hea not getting the ball though.
Our tactics are seeing him run beyond Ekitike as he drops deep. Nobody can find the pass to him so far. More than anything though he's running and working.
Well, theres seem of that and some things they have worked on that have not come off yet. Eventually Ekitike will drag cbs out and wirtz will pop up and score. We just been gravenberch and macallister to find them We have 3 really good cms for 2 spots there. Szoboszlai has to play. We have to get the balance and things will improve.
