Update With Son on the pitch, scored 15, conceded 4. Without Son (150 mins total) scored 5 conceded 5.
I saw bits of the game, as I was in a crowded pub in Southampton with my daughters. My main takeaway from the second half is the importance of having quality options on the bench and getting them on the pitch with time enough to affect the result. The squad's not perfect, but it's better than most. We just need Conte to exploit it and we'll do alright.
I do wish we could put in a full 90 minutes display...but it was good to see us actually take our chances. Full marks to Conte for his half time talk and his subs...we were a completely different side in the second half. And what a great way for Son to respond
I wonder if Bissouma’s strong cameo today will give Conte something to think about with regards to going 352 in some games? When he came on we completely bossed the midfield battle and within 3 minutes Son got his first goal. It was the best Bissouma’s looked since joining, not that he’s had much of a chance so far though. The downside is obviously losing a forward from the XI but we wouldn’t actually lose Kulu as he could play RWB - something I think we’d all rather see than Emerson or Doherty anyway. Just have to feel for Spence though, that’ll then make him about 6th choice unless Conte wakes up a bit on that spot. Arsenal away is our next game too so loading up the midfield could be handy. Hugo Romero, Dier, Lenglet Kulu, Bentancur, Bissouma, Hojbjerg, Perisic Kane, Son or Richarlison Pretty decent looking side that.
I think some of it was systemic but he did look better than he has in other appearances so far. He’s fundamentally a ball carrying, press resistant 6 so sitting in the middle of a 3 with PEH and Bentancur pushing up a bit more either side probably suited him. I like 352 situationally and think we should use it more often, especially now we have the squad and 5 subs to switch to it and back in a game. But it changes the pressing pattern of the team too so it’s more of a switch than you’d think. And it places even more emphasis on the WBs which are still a problematic position.
The playing out from the back at goal kicks gets on my tits. Pissing about and almost inevitably putting Sanchez under pressure. Opposition always seem to get possession back quickly so we might just as well challenge for it up the pitch in safer areas.
Sanchez couldn't replicate the run up to the penalty incident if he tried and did VAR get involved I'm not sure , but Romero coming back was a boost , as you say the defence are not as strong as it could be
It seems to have crept back into our game this season and as you say it puts us under pressure more than benefits the team
I think with Perisic we’re completely fine and if Conte tried Kulu on the opposite flank we’d be very strong offensively from wide areas. The problem would be if we played 352 and Perisic and Kulu weren’t available/ selected, as that way there’s zero creativity - well unless Spence ever gets a shot. It’s a system/ formation that’ll require the right players to be fit and selected for it and if so, I think it could work really well, albeit I am basing it off of 20 mins in one game against the worst side in the league at the moment, so maybe I’m jumping the gun.
Great to see Son back scoring goals, especially as a couple of them were excellent. Curious experiment from Conte playing Perisic as RWB and I don't think it worked. Was strange to see him chucking Sessegnon over there for a while, too. Has VAR forced a retake from any other goalkeeper in the Premier League? I could be mistaken, but I don't remember it happening. I do remember them specifically not doing it for Liverpool v Chelsea in the Super Cup, though. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...ty-uefa-super-cup-tammy-abraham-a9060636.html
