robsblubot

Big games, against quality opposition can be really different. It's incredible how many players played well below their norm at the same time. It's not surprising either. That extra touch that usually goes unpunished against lesser opposition will get a pool player "in your face" eh. Even Palmer had to hurry his game, losing composure as a result.

Sanchez is a decent goalie... "decent" is far from good enough at this level. I wasn't crazy about the performance tbh; did not see the same game Maresca did. Perhaps we simply aren't at that level yet and it showed.

Enzo had a good game. 2 key passes, and yes, I spotted them. They could've easily turned into assists--real ones not like Cole to Noni (it was all Noni for me). In that regard he is indeed similar to Fabregas, and he's actually more balanced, as in a lot more physical than Fabregas was. IMO folks here focus way too much on the CM pairing. He will likely improve as the team improves.

Agreed. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit to learn he was on a special training schedule to bring his fitness levels up. Playing time is usually limited in such cases.

There are coaches who believe that while foot preference plays a part, it’s more about where the CB is used to play. That switching sides for a CB is usually tricky regardless of foot preference, for example. of course it’s far more common to see right footed CBs playing on the left than the other way around… for obvious reasons.

Must have been living under a rock buddy. 🤷‍♂️ Sanchez was called unanimously a bad signing over here and tbf he was a 3rd goalie at Brighton at some point, so not really surprising any way you look at it. Don't think anyone here is expecting him to turn in Cech anytime soon. Think most of us had a slight hope Fillip would've been playing improving enough to become decent/good at some point.

Cute to see Brighton going toe to toe against this Chelsea side at SB. They will learn in time that this side now has way too much quality for that. The cam angle was bad, but I did not see a penalty against Sancho. It looked like a really weird call and I wonder that perhaps VAR also did not have a good angle to dispute the call. Yes, Sanchez was poor once again as was the D, but that’s expected… early days. We may be missing players there too, but how much we will find out this season. Jackson was good! that selfless assist to Palmer alone was enough for me. He should’ve done better on that pass from Neto in the second, but it happens. Enzo had a very good game! Prob his first strong game this season. Or maybe folks simply don’t value thru balls like I do eh. wasnt crazy about madueke today tho. He as a bit selfish and did not work hard enough in D. Palmer does look like a generational talent right there. I honestly think that his skillset is of the type of player that gets you CL, but yeah too soon. 😅

Yes, I'm aware and I was one of the few people going on and on about the lack of *quality* of our wingers last season. There is a reason the most expensive players on earth are attacking players. There is a reason you will find a lot of these "most expensive players on earth" in the attack of top 4 PL sides. Also, a quick point about injuries: there is injuries which happen, and some issue which is not reported by the club for a reason. Not even going to mention Lavia, but take Carney for a second here: it seems to me that the club may think he lacks in some physical aspect which perhaps makes him vulnerable to injuries.

Yes, depth of the squad is night and day from last season. I'm still quite surprised that folks don't realize how thin the squad was last season and how much different it is today. You could see that very clearly in cup games last season. Now, I'm not sure we will get the same favorable conditions in the final rounds once again like we did against pool and city, but I'd be expecting a win if we do.

Maybe, but just to show that the level of the opposition is determinant esp when it's a wide gap like this. We are pretty similar to Man City in comparing for example... even if we'd likely lose a lot more than win against them. The level of opposition today is as bad as it gets; don't read too much into it.

Friendly reminder that KDH was a pretty effective Champioship mid, and Barrow is nowhere near that level. Good performances from all players are to be expected -- average/decent performances would be worrying IMO.

Send him to the Brasileirao -- they play "flag football" there, so would fit right in.

That'd be way too much money to become a serial loser like Dortmund. 😅 I'm not that worried about the striker position; Jackson is a good player and Nkunku remaining fit would give us options. Once we qualify for CL again, then we can reassess as we'd need more depth in certain positions anyway. The D still looks a bit wobbly, esp Fofana, but I like Colwill I think he has a lot of potential. Honestly, if Enzo can improve his game we'd have very few weaknesses as a team. I think Enzo does deliver good performances, but frankly I expect more from him. It's nice to see how compact the team tries to be. That's benefitting everyone perhaps excepting Madueke with his directness (kinda unsurprising tbh). I am of the opinion that any team who relies on Mudryk as a winger does not deserve a top4 spot, and the fact he hasn't played much this season is very reassuring.

That 500m prob before losing both his knees (worth watching the yt video on that as well):

Really odd game by WHU. I know Jackson is very pacey, prob the fastest striker in the PL, but that first goal was embarrassing... 3+ WHU players jogging back lazily while Jackson is in a full sprint... it was hilarious unless you are a ham's fan or their manager. With that said, the second goal was class; great ball by Caicedo and an even better "outside of the foot" finish by Jackson. That finish says one thing to me: confidence. Contrary to most here I thought Enzo did well. Cuccu moving inside worked well once against giving solidity to the center midfield. It's all adjustment from here and you can see how compact the team tries to be. The 3-player passing from the back is still very erratic, but it's actually good to see the manager isn't forcing this. The one thing I wasn't crazy about was Fofana. He miscontrolled the football a few times and did grab WH player which looked like a penalty to me. I understand the argument that the hold wasn't enough to bring the player to the ground, but wasn't it enough to prevent the player from reaching the football? I wasn't crazy about the theatrics there, but the player was held which prevented him from continuing the play.

Has been injured since he left the pitch in that one game he played. It's a hammy issue, but apparently finally approaching return. This match may be too soon tho.

Caicedo had an excellent game against a very poor WHU (us vs them too soon to tell), but I thought Enzo was also good. Cuccu movement behind them worked last season and seems to be working once again. The trick is to make the midfield look like a five-people midfield without having 5 CMs in there. When I started watching football, teams routinely employed 4 CMs. 2 holding + 2 in more advanced positions with lots of variations of course. That's no longer the case because it's no longer necessary given the intensity and movement from all players. Teams do not end up with fewer players in that area though... quite the opposite esp the better sides. WHU match was very weird like a training session. I think we played well, but WHU did not show that day.

A bit soon to be using standings imo. From what I saw today, they are irrelevant and even spurs will pass the hem in the coming weeks.

Tbf, it’s early season, so we don’t know who the poor sides are just yet. Which teams are wobbly and easy to beat. Regardless, you smash the lesser teams all the same esp when they dare to play as equals. Match was only shown on USA network which is tv only, so will catch the replay tomorrow.

Yes, but their center D already looks better with DeLigt in. the most shocking of the matches so far was how bad Newcastle looks. Football of the 90s in today’s world.

yeah better option than Disasi. Noni was poor tracking back in the last match. Many of their best moments was when the ball was taken from Noni and their #19 Kluivert made diagonal runs towards the center of attack. Neto wasn't much better in D either, so that needs work. That kind of performance against a better team would result in a loss. I'm not expecting Sancho to replicate his performance tbh; coming on vs starting a match can be very different.

They already have Rudiger I say enough is enough. 😅We should get Dias for that sweet right CB spot we've got just waiting for him. He's right-footed even if he naturally plays on the left too.

Some will have that written in contract, so no "buts." Rodri seems like a strong Madrid target. Dias would be a nice addition to our D, as would be Stones IMO. Ederson solves our GK for 2-3 years for sure. Kova is still 30 wow... would likely get him at least for roster. Haaland would turn into a big auction anyway--perhaps all released players would.

Time for a cheeky 100m Haaland bid?! 😅 Yes, and if it does happen to us as well, that's even better for player and manager.

not sure. Bournemouth looked pretty bad -- it's unfair to analyze a single game because part of it was us causing them problems, but these small clubs have a huge problem with depth. Their subs in the second half were lesser footballers and it showed. I think WHU are less likely to have to fight relegation even if having a poor season, for ex.