Two quick things:
First goal was a delight in that it contained so many of the positives from tonight - ridiculously commited, impressive win of the ball from Sandro, nice, intelligent pass from Carroll, lovely little run and ball from holtby then the finish you expect from Defoe. Perfect.
Had the pleasure of watching the Sandro-Carroll-Holtby-Defoe (I think) first from behind the goal 20 yards away as it unfolded in front of me. The Sandro intercept and Carroll pass got the crowd headed towards its feet. Holtby's beautiful reverse pass started a massive cheer, almost as if Defoe had already scored, which he duly did. This was Holtby's audition for number 10, and he passed with flying colors, to me. He had the idea and the understanding worked out with Defoe before the ball got to him.
Gylfi has had awful luck. I still think he'll do very well, but admit it will probably be at another club. He's someone who needs to know he will start every day, I would say.
Erikson faces stiff comp for the number 10 role from Holtby, especially since the former's weakness, I've heard, is his tendency to drift out of games. Holtby screwed up a number of times early, but kept wanting the ball and ended up having a great game. That's invaluable.
The crowd was great, singing constantly, loud as hell. Maybe the lower ticket prices attracted a heartier, less yuppified crowd. I like going to games where the atmosphere isn't crippled by people like me.
There are so many players I'd like to keep, but I would think we might sell/lend third stringers ATM. Carroll's a bit of a special case, because we don't really have another DLP.
Selling or loaning Dembele strikes me as madness. Whatever he does or doesn't do, he carries as much of an intimidation factor as Sandro, IMO. The way he dribbles past other players while they bounce off his legs puts them on the back foot.
Four players in the "2" strikes me as right, considering 1/4 will usually be hurt, and you need 3 to rotate for twice a week games. Since I think we should play a 4-3-3 against Arsenal and other teams that will attack, we may well consider 5 there, leaving a spot for Carroll.
Holtby and Erikson can rotate for a while at CAM--though I've heard Lamela has designs on the famous, left-footer-cutting-in "free role," which may be center-ish.