If we only bring one player in the priority is a quality left back. Also Harrison’s Leeds career is being destroyed by playing him on the right. He’s a LW ffs - end of. Ok he’s frustrating there as well but at least sometimes he whips in a dangerous cross instead of having to constantly cut inside as he does now. I like him but use him in his proper position or get rid. He’s been turned into Dan James 2.0.
I don’t mind seeing that team yesterday, we aren’t in an amazing position in the PL therefore we need to keep our best players for that. If we were doing better we’d field a stronger team but we’re in our infancy as a PL club and consolidation is key. As much as I’d like a cup run our team and squad aren’t ready for that. I think at the moment it’s currently good to use the cups to see how good the youth players are but you still had Robles, Ayling, Llorente, Firpo, Klich and Harrison in that team who are senior players. 6 seniors alongside 5 youth should be enough to win a cup game and progress, if it’s not we’re not ready for one. Didn’t really think much of any of the youngsters, can’t see any of them displacing the starters at the moment. Can also see why Joffy doesn’t start now. Someone on Twitter said the following which I think is spot on. “People will have different opinions but I don’t think Joffy is kicking on as much as he should be. He’s definitely injury prone too. System and style may be playing a part but I feel other players are improving much more than he is.” Thought Robles looked solid, Hjelde looked very good and composed for a young lad. But let’s not get too excited this early. remember what we were saying about Cresswell previously after him having a decent game or half for us and then 2 for Millwall.
Robles 8 Reassuring with the knowledge of having a decent back-up keeper, excellent debut Ayling 8 Looking match-fit & back to his best. Llorente 6.5 Some good & bad from our calamity amigo Hjelde 9 Outstanding & composed performance from the young man Firpo 6 Steady Gyabi 6.5 Some nice play, not error free but a decent debut from Darko Harrison 5 I've said enough about Jack Klich 7 Very good first-half, legs went in the last 25 minutes. Perkins 7 Controlled & lovely touches from Sonny Gelhardt 6 Joffy worked hard Joseph 6.5 Decent debut from Mateo Greenwood 6.5 Apart from his slip-up for their goal, Sam played well Gnonto 6.5 Neat & tidy on the ball
