OneMoSalah

To be fair the defence was shaky since the goal, Sarr really struggled after it and James also struggled on the right I felt particularly second half. Would say that Trevor was the only one out of the 3 who played a half decent game throughout really, although he could do better in some part still.

Had plenty of shots on target to be fair. Just poor finishing and even some of the half chances when we got in (Barkley and Kai had 2 excellent ones where Kai overran the touch clean through and Barkley never got onto Kai’s pass cleanly enough to put it past Forster), obviously performance not great mostly but still plenty opportunities. Only real positive from going to penalties tonight is not having to play the extra 30 mins to get there. Although should of wrapped it up before, definitely, with some of the chances. And I suppose looking at it in another way, getting another win on penalty shootouts is always going to be a good experience for this group. Already thats Villarreal, Villa and now Southampton already this season. Always good to have a habit of winning penalty shootouts, useful experience which may come useful in cup finals.

Yet people moaned about Callum playing there at the start but for me, Chilwell on the right is genuine baffling. Makes no sense, hasn’t got a right foot really. Already had Mount/Ziyech and CHO coming inside every time they could. So an inverted wingback, baffling.

That bloke playing CB for Southampton has had a very good game to be fair, Lyanco, but we have still made their GK have 3 or 4 big saves and now have got 13 shots on target from 22 or 23. Despite not playing anywhere near well enough and with a much changed XI that don’t have the same chemistry or experience playing together. Also Kepa what a save. And again.

Tbf 2 were good saves (1st one was an excellent save) and then the other yes hit the target but 2/3 efforts drawing 2 saves. Hardly “wastes” really as you’ve put it. The one whos wasted chances tonight has probably been Kai and Ross more than anyone. Sarr also having a nightmare since Soton goal.

Mason Mason Mason…. Just take an extra second there and you’d of found Kai…

Poor goal to concede. Kepa, Alonso and Sarr all bad there. Havertz clean through heavy touch and then Barkley doesn’t convert CHO’s pass which was maybe a wee tad on the heavy side.

Have to be honest, Saul looks a lot lot sharper than he did v Villa. With and without the ball. Getting about the pitch well, winning a lot of tackles, headers and isn’t afraid to run beyond the attackers even if he doesn’t get the ball. Was unlucky not to score his header but was a top save.

Nah I think playing 352 against Newcastle wont happen. They are so vulnerable defensively so anything bar 343 would be incredible I think. I mean they’ve not got real quality in midfield so we don’t need a third body in there really plus the wingbacks could come inside and create overloads like v Malmo and Norwich. Tbf, Tuchel’s said himself playing him out of position and his tough love approach is what he hopes will push him to become the player he thinks he can become. He’s also just played 2 games in an offensive positions v Malmo and Norwich (Southampton and Villa in league cup also IIRC?) where hes looked sharper and contributed so I don’t see why there is the sudden uproar about him doing a job for the team at RWB in a cup game where we have rested some players who have played a lot of football under Tuchel and will be needed in bigger games also (Azpi, Rudiger, Thiago Silva). Maybe Tuchels tough loves Working no? If anything, if he didn’t play RWB tonight and James still played RCB who would play RWB? Considering Azpi isn’t in squad (Resting? Minor knock? Personal issue? Who knows?) theres no one without playing Rudiger or someone (who probably isn’t needed tonight). Theres a reason why we went for Hakimi.

Tbf hes playing, I don’t think he will be too fussed. Players are ultimately happy when they play. He's played there more commonly with TT as well than LW. I think if he puts in a good showing he will likely start the next game too maybe further up in attack as Rom and Werner will still be out. I am sure Tuchel will have said to him I need you to play here for the team tonight as well as saying to Reece about playing in that RCB role so we can rest Azpi, Thiago Silva and Rudiger.

Another good cameo, TT obviously getting through to him, has to keep going though - no room to just be a squad player. Has to push.

Has he put a foot wrong yet? Think the doubters (including myself) re Zouma sale been proven wrong. Big performances and a lot of heart, love to see it. Surely England squad next?

I think he did use it in a cup game? Last season? Then quickly changed to 3 again IIRC. I think if we didn’t have as successful a season with the 343 (with the CL, getting to cup final and general upturn in results and performances) he maybe would of changed it in the summer. Fully agree it won’t fix the attacking issues. Not a chance. Felt the wingbacks today (also did notice it v Malmo) gave us something more today when they were coming inside, they gave us a lot more options when playing in the middle third and made it easier to get Mason and CHO on the ball in the final third by vacating these spaces outside, dragging the Norwich fullbacks in. Also helped create overloads in central midfield. Hopefully we continue to use this at times to make our build up play more flexible.

There were a lot who were absolutely certain we would move away from the back 3 this season. Why they thought that, I don’t know, considering the solidity and springboard it gave us to go win the CL and also get to the FA cup final but would say as long as TT is here, 343 is the way to go.

He almost went to Tottenham under Frank though? Would of been allowed to go too if he didn’t decide he wanted to fight for his place instead, which honestly did surprise me but kudos to him because his performances have been top quality. Whilst he’s a good figure and a popular player in the dressing room, lets not pretend players wouldn’t make these moves now a days. Cech, Willian and Luiz went to Arsenal. Zouma went to West Ham. If the guys settled in London and gets a nice offer, why would he not? Best case of action is still to do our best to keep him.

I get the feeling that a handful will never be happy with him, regardless of what he does. It is baffling when certain individuals sat championing Barkley’s first 3 or 4 games of his loan spell at Villa for instance 🤣 Or sat going on about Grealish’s form playing in a free role for Villa (was a lazy comparison anyway considering he spent that long on the wing), when lets be honest now he’s at City, has he really done anything thats particularly good? Has he improved them?

That Simon Phillips guy is nothing but a moron, take what he says with a pinch of salt. Cant believe anyone sees his information as even remotely reliable enough to quote it on Twitter. Even if it is a random account. If TT wanted to play a back 4 he would of done it by now, he’s not the sort of person to go against his own tactical approach or beliefs if he thinks it’s best/will maximise the team’s performance.

Lets hoping he kicks on now and gets more goals and assists. Only thing missing from his game is regularly scoring or assisting, other than that he is a very good player, when the G+A come regularly people maybe see his true value then. Undoubtedly had a bad patch but you see how infectious his energy is to the team and how highly he is clearly thought of.

Exceptional performance. Not just quality with the ball but again without it, being proactive, pressing high, winning second balls, headers, duels etc we are a totally different team when we do this to the level we did v Spurs and today. Also all the goal scorers either academy players or English.

Think either way we looked a better team regardless compared to the last 3 or 4 games. Be interesting to see how we do without him, all good saying he’s injured now TT has to use Havertz as a false 9 but we need to see consistency from Kai. Did like the front 3 of Mount, Kai and CHO tbf because we had someone who is good in 1 on 1s.

Subs were clever. I’d imagine we might have seen Ziyech without the injuries but considering we had to use 2, getting Azpi, Chilly and Kante off is arguably much more important than Ziyech getting minutes. Good management. Plus the likes of Saul and CHO have rarely featured also. So either way someone would miss out.

Still was never clearing the wall even at 10 yards… Saul time, should be a good game for him to put a wee marker down and show what he is capable of.

Mount going to stop putting FKs into the wall anytime soon? Also 4-0, Jorginho.

Well no proper strikes for a few weeks I would think, Werner looks worse but think Lukaku will miss a couple of games also. Suppose we will see what happens with Mount, Kai, CHO/Ziyech/Pulisic up there now.

Not surprised. Even winning the ball back well, we aren’t making the most of the territory we’ve gotten into and when we get into promising positions, the final ball or decision is frustrating at times. We need to be ruthless even at 2-0 up.