I think allowing Bentancur to come on later, as the pace of the game slows makes a lot of sense. Bissouma and Sarr + Maddison would be my starting MF.
MOTD's commentary mentioned the "soft goals" Vicario had let in recently Apparently we need to change the discourse about Diego Maradona's first goal against peter Shilton now...
So not only do you see Maddison having to screen Vicario due to Wellbeck repeatedly trying to back into him, but when it's clear that won't work Buonanotte makes a beeline for him to try and impede him at the last second I take it that would be a "soft goal" to concede too...?
Bentancur is still learning that 6 role. For the sequence of play that led to the pen, he needed to release the pass upfield as we had a player free, rather than be taking extra touches. And frequently when the CBs had the ball he needed to drop deeper, pulling a Brighton player with him, to create a little more space for the FBs, Maddison and Sarr. Bissouma was playing the role to perfection early in the season and in particular has a great understanding with Sarr. Biss’s movement and physicality was a big part of that early run. If he can get back to that level then we’ll be purring again. His ability to beat the first man or two of a press forces settled midfields to react. We progress the ball well by passing too but it doesn’t take opponents out of the game as quickly. I still think we might want to look at another 6 in the summer. I’d argue it’s where I’d want to spend big, if we were going to do it on one position. That or a 9 but there are plenty of goals in this team. Our issues come from not being able to dictate the flow of a game.
This is going to sound really petty, but did Sarr's goal celebration annoy anyone else? It's relatively early in the game and you pick up a silly booking for no reason? Why? Just don't, maybe?
Richarlison looked really annoyed with him at the time. Seemed to drag him away from the crowd by the scruff of his neck Discipline has been a real issue this season across the team, and I do wonder if some of it is down to Ange's 'couldn't give a toss, mate' demeanour and attitude.
Agreed. And it was only an equaliser at home too. Definitely risky getting a yellow card early in the game for such a trivial reason.
He needs to learn that football isn’t to be enjoyed and celebrated. Conte or Mourinho wouldn’t have let him get away with that
He's fostering a spirit to connect the players as a team and the reconnect them to the fans. personally, I think that it's needed, after so much negativity around the club since that second season at Wembley and to generate a really intimidating atmosphere. I'd rather that there is the odd booking, possibly a sending off, and the new stadium gets to participate in creating a cauldron where visiting teams are really put to it.
True but it means they have to toe the line for the rest of the game and can't commit any tactical fouls or they're off (unless they play for City, Pool or Villa).
I do get PNPs and your point of view ... guess I'm just glad that I am enjoying watching us ... am actually disappointed I can't go this Saturday.... been years since I thought that
30 odd mins is a long time in the 2nd half (more so as in all the Spurs games this season the refs seem to be dealing out the cards then to compensate for their flagrant ignorance of 1st half fouls - in order to "let the game flow" ) .
True. Last season especially I started looking for excuses to avoid watching us. Even went to the extreme of arranging family gatherings, it got that desperate.
