Still not sure that Hughton is a 'top manager' but agree he obviously did something right at half time. Though they couldn't possibly be as bad as they were in the first.
I don’t understand why, when closing down high up the pitch was working so well, we stopped doing it in the second half. Why? Perhaps one of you can explain it to me. To me, we continue pressing, we win. On the other hand, it was an entertaining game and I there is much more freedom of passing about the team. Last season, it seemed we weren’t able/allowed to switch play without making 3 rather slow passes across the back. Not this season. Much prettier this season
Hoedt should be nowhere near the team. Vestegaard, Yoshi & Stephens should be our frontline 3 in the matchday squads.
Our problem is all about game management. I’m not sure if that is Hughes’ fault or if we just don’t have enough players with the nous to kill off games. Lemina and PEH are relatively young, so may not have the experience or know how to just disrupt and stop persistent attacks, before they reach the back four. I sometimes think they fall back too far and almost create a back six. Romeu would have been a better choice to come on, last night, had he been on the bench, ahead of Davis, but home to Brighton shouldn’t have you overloading the bench with defensive options. Key for me is our lack of a forward player with the ability to receive AND hold on to the ball for 10-15 seconds, to buy the defence time to reform and midfielders time to join up in attack. This is an area where we will really miss Tadic, as he was the only player we had last season, who could do this, and is something that must be rectified in January, just as it should have been rectified last January and in the summer.
Each to their own, but Jack has shown himself to be reliable over a period of time. Him & Yoshi were a decent pairing in the Puel era.
Was it only me that though Mo Ely looked useful? Also thought Hoedt wasn't as bad as some are making out. I think we're still a bang average team, like last season, we just have a better (if not quite good) manager that understands the league a bit more. And football.
I've liked Mo every time I've seen him to be fair, think he's going to improve as the season goes on and looks a good signing. Completely agree with the rest too.
Good shout. Completely agree with you. I wasn’t a great fan of Tadic but we are very lacking in so many areas, it’s quite alarming.
Only my opinion but Hoedt & Stephens look like total rookies & even now after all their gane time I'm not even sure a VVD would bring any talents to fore. Massive hole in our team as all PL teams will see the potential weakness, which increases with any significant pressure. Our only improvement will be advanced forward play, which is definitely better than last year but will only work vs the weakest teams. MH et el have a massive job on their hands to get us back to a proper top half side.
I also like the look of Mo, his link up play is good and he can beat a man. I'm it bit concerned about his final ball but he's still young and will improve.
Agree with the 2nd part, if a bit pessimistic. Wasn’t impressed with Elyounoussi, party because Cedric was poor and we didn’t attack their left flank. There was little interaction, particularly in the 2nd half. He also strolled back to help out defensively, jwp was noticeable in the fact he tracked back more. Little use the subs made though mind.
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/16...-over-homophobic-abuse-during-brighton-clash/ One arrest for a 'homophobic hand gesture' the other night.
Sorry if I missed you posting it elsewhere but what was your meal like and what’s the revamped Gasworks like?
Always have liked Chris Hughton, and not just because I used to work with his dad (who was a lovely guy). I respect the fact he spent years learning the coaching job properly at Spurs, working his way up slowly to management. Pretty much the opposite of the Frank Lampards of this world.
