So another win, and a clean sheet. Newcastle parked the bus, they came for a point, that much was clear, in the first half they had a couple of chances, but in the second half they were definitely going for the 0-0 and its great that we managed to get the win. Newcastle defended excellently, and a clean sheet for us is excellent, but I dont believe this was a real test defensively, as Newcastle had no intention of scoring, more a test of our ability to unlock stubborn defenses, and we did, and could have got 1 or 2 more! 5 wins in all competitions and improving all the time, CHO is back, played great, got an assist, things are looking up. I think we look promising for top 4 and a trophy. And with a couple of signings in the summer, hopefully next season we can challenge for the title.
A good game against what looked like a defensively well disciplined Newcastle side. I thought their players were lucky not to get booked with their nasty challenges on Tammy Abraham - he was knocked down by being bashed in the back of the head twice. Also, what’s the story behind Tammy Abraham wandering around the pitch semi naked in the October chill - in what looked like boxer shorts - after full time? Was it some kind of forfeit or bet?
Not an easy win but Frank guided them through the pitfuls of a negative well organised team. Wednesday will be the benchmark of how far we have come.
It was a different sort of test. We were never really going to be stretched but we needed to have more than one idea going forwards. Defensively, we probably won’t come up against much tougher, purely because Newcastle are fighting relegation. We showed good intent and again a new system was put in play. I’m really liking this new look team and others stepped up today when our kids found the going a bit tough. Tammy super unlucky to have his shot stopped but there’s the experience he needed. Had he smashed it the defender wouldn’t have got it.
Frank has us being able to swap styles almost seamlessly, but the big plus is we are a proper TEAM, each doing their job but also playing for the others. This is the kind of game we couldn't win last season, but subs made an impact and one of our heavily criticised players scores the winner. Alonsos form has improved out of sight past couple of weeks, Zouma is looking like a player on a mission, and Pulisic showed he has plenty to offer. No coincidence that the out of form players have stepped up, including Willian, and the kids are toughening up and learning quickly. We are definitely heading in the right direction, and look as if we are actually enjoying the journey. Ajax will be some test though, can't wait for that one.
I'm Happy with things thus far. Steady progress and 4th in the league but that will change for sure. Watched L'Arse tonight lose against SU who we managed to draw 2-2 with after being 2-0 up big test coming up against Burnley who are very tough to play against a point would do nicely. Sad to see Spurs going downhill like a lead balloon NOT.
Enjoying very much how things are going and whilst we are miles off Liverpool and City, we are doing better than the other 'top 6' despite losing Hazard and having the ban. So it's been good so far. Adopting a slightly cautious view, our decent run has coincided with some pretty favourable fixtures and when we've come up against decent opposition (Leicester, Liverpool, Valencia and United) we've yet to win. Hopefully we can put this right sooner rather than later.
