Clockwork

Its a bit of a two street sure we will improve our play under Sarri, on other hand so will the opposition, they will figure out our weaknesses and area of exploit.

My gawd the right side of Azpi-Kante-Willian is atrocious, clear plan for opposition force us to play on that side, couldn't connect passes to save our lives.

He deleted his tweet; something like "I am not injured, i am fine.....great team victory." Hard not to see him forcing a move in January, Nevermind not playing, but not even on the bench in any of the games this season. May even not be second choice at LB for Sarri.

Alonso is basically a poacher from the LB. The only thing he does well from an attacking standpoint is make runs into the box. He can't beat anyone 1 on 1, can't cross, can't overlap, and can't create width. His general link up is quite poor only effective when he is an attacking area, try do a one-two in the buildup when he has to move his slow ass forget it. I really don't believe Sarri believes it, he is quite complimentary to everyone. I think one thing is clearly highlighted after the Newcastle and Bournemouth game is our inability to create width and exploit them when they play very narrow. Something has to give with our FBs.

Kinda think is Kante really necessary for games like this. Think games like this is the perfect game for Cesc when he comes back.

Had a bit of brainfart there you are right. But i am quite confident Sane will be tremendous on the right also. Unfortunately i see him ending up at Bayern, perfect replacement for one of Robbery.

Between kovacic, Hazard, and Pedro for me.

Not even on the bench, forget that scrub Martial this is the guy we should be after from our rivals. Left footed and plays the position we desperately need upgraded.

I am not impressed at all by Alonso, he can't take any defenders on, not providing width or overlap. Just occasional runs of the ball there and there. Need much more from our FBs.

Barkley is much more likely to be sold, with Kovacic getting the nod over him it is only matter time before he is sold and gets impatient. Could see him being sold in January. Better to keep RLC anyway, younger and higher potential.

I liked what I saw from him in preseason he brings a lot of energy and width to the flank. wonder if Recce James will be ready to backup Azpi next year. Given how frequently Azpilicueta will play. I think with so many competition, it is ideal playing time to introduce a youth player into the senior squad.

Alonso is not a good attacking FB, credit to him for his end product. Watch him for 90minutes he doesn't really attack well unlike other attacking FB. Other attacking FB put the opposition on their back foot and make them cautious attacking on their side. Alonso is a weakness and other teams target him.

Also this from the Financial Times.

Games like this is when you need super attacking FB.

I don't think so, for a title challenge yes. For top 4? not in my opinion. Arsenal and United are our big challenger for top 4, both have a loss already. In Arsenal case 2. I think City and Pool are shoe in for top 4, Spurs are most likely getting in. And than you have Arsenal and United as threats to the top 4.

I don't think any one realistically is saying they should switch role, obviously Kante can not do what Jorginho can do, and attempting to have Jorginho do what Kante does is a complete use of his skill set. An argument for an adjustment in Sarri system would be justified to get the best out of the players. Jorginho can still do everything he does from the buildup standpoint without needing to protect the back four. He would even have more freedom to move further up the pitch, and utilize his final ball. No doubt you would lose the runs from Kante from midfield but i think i would live with that. Kinda similar to Busquets and Xavi years back. Xavi would drop deeper than anyone to build the attack, when transitioning Xavi would move further up the pitch while Busq would play deeper at that point.

in the first 20m we had similar problems, we were lucky Auba and Mhki missed easy sitters. Second half was much better overall performance.

It really shouldn't be surprising, Kovacic is a proper central midfielder/#8, while Barkley has long played as a advanced attacking midfielder or forward. Kovacic can probably all 3 midfield role at a high level.

Honestly that is putting it nicely. The difference between Barkley and Kovacic is much greater, i hope it will be a long time before i see that donkey on the pitch again. His passing, intelligence, and touch is so poor. One of his poor passes resulted in a goal. He really is a poor fit for one touch passing and this system, decision making is too slow.

I love Hazard, but seriously how unprofessional is it that he came back from pre season so unfit that he might not start until match day 3 or beyond.

He is going to have a monster year this season, I expect Atletico to finish no worse second.

It will be better for him to stay there is much benefit the training, reps, and mentoring he will get under Sarri. Personally believe all those plus the comfortability he would have in Sarri system outweighs consistent 90m in a another league.

Comfortably the worst player on the pitch, Kovacic is going to replace him very shortly.

Marina should really be sent to some village in Syria for rejecting 60m for Willian.

What is the point of Barkley? dude has not done shit since Aussie side Perth Glory