Loving
@The RDBD 's delayed commentary on the game
I can't say I regret staying up for it as it was a thoroughly entertaining affair played at a surprisingly high tempo and with quite a bit of passion on display, especially from our side. Roma are an excellent team - you can't push Juve all the way in Serie A without being one - and it was good to see our lads up against some real quality once again. I know it was only a friendly, but from what I saw through bleary eyes...
PROS
- Harry Winks just oozes confidence and is full of probing, dangerous passes. Rewarded with an easy tap-in. Can't wait to see him in action this season.
- Anthony Georgiou. Literally never heard of the lad prior to the game and surprised that no-one on here has ever mentioned him either. Did more in 45 minutes than Sissoko and GKN managed in an entire season. Aggressive, direct, pacy and willing to try the unpredictable. He's already 20 so we might see a bit more of him this season.
- Dembele. Orgasmically good on the ball. Simple as that.
- Janssen. I can FINALLY tick "see Vincent Janssen make an intelligent near-post run and put it past the keeper" off of my 'to-do list'.
CONS
- CCV looked very, very uncomfortable throughout the first half. Struggled to deal with Dzeko's strength and experience and Perotti's pace. Clearly a distance off of being PL ready and I would like to see him sent out on loan.
- Wimmer. Is beginning to resemble Ryan Shawcross in size and style with every passing game. By size, I mean that he could do with shedding a bit of puppy fat. By style, I mean that as long as the action is happening in front of him, he is fine. But as soon as the opposition start playing off the shoulder (as most decent attacking sides do), he looks utterly lost. I wouldn't fault him for the 3rd goal as it looked like he was shoved, but the "clearance" for the 2nd goal was appalling, and other than a couple of wayward or misjudged passes I can't recall him doing anything positive. Such a shame but it may well be the right time to be a bit ruthless and sell.
- Alli. Spent the first half wandering around in search of inspiration.
- Trippier. Confirmed my fears about him. Hardly put a foot wrong defensively, but as the game wore on and it became clear that Perotti, Strootman, Under and Nainggolan are top drawer players, he was pushed deeper and deeper into our own half and as a result the crosses dried up. As I have said, this will happen against any team with talent in the last third as Trippier just doesn't have the pace or engine to push forward and then track back to prevent the break.
- GKN. THAT cross aside, the lad looks utterly clueless. Reminds me a lot of Jose Dominguez (remember him?). Clearly talented and with bags of pace, but seems incapable of making the right decision.
- The Ref. Just
