robsblubot

hah sure, but between shooting and scoring more or signing a new deal, I'd much prefer the latter. I'm sure we can find a place for him in the team - just the way he is.

Fair enough. yeah my initial impression was that Willian did not move towards the ball at all. Kinda hoping arsenal player would miss the interception. Would like to watch it again from a different angle, but that was my impression. That was also in midfield with plenty of players behind the ball. So, while an unforced error, not really the end of the world IMO.

Was it only Ross though? I mean it was a weak pass, but Willian stood there waiting for it all the same. Only when the ball was intercepted did he deem to move.

It's going to be a long process... Formation changes are NEVER easy on defenders and defensive mids who have to do the covering. On top of that we have new players AND a new GK. Get ready and remain calm...

agreed. While Kovacic is obviously a level above him, Ross did very well especially in the second half. He finally looked like doing something with the football. This is a team with far more quality as in technique all around. Good to watch!

too nice... Final minutes against arsenal has Giroud and Hazard in a counter facing a single defender. Hazard has the football and Giroud makes a selfless run to the left which increases his angle towards the goal. That would have open a move to the right for eden to beat his marker, yet he chooses to assist Giroud. It was a selfless choice, but the wrong one. Still had a cracking game against Arsenal. Just needs to get into shape ASAP, so he can play the 90.

For a player who can strike the ball so well, some of his crosses are a bit awkward. Still, the assist for the first goal was something else. Not only a perfect final pass to Pedro, but the first touch to control the long ball. Always a quality player in my book. Need a bit of system at work to protect him for both his lack of pace and the fact he's an attacking FB and will get forward a lot (as he should). If he does not make that run into the box, there is no goal and no win. Only goals count in this game.

Very strong half against arsenal. Movement pace, dribbling, and the goal. Needs to build on that. Giroud is the one looking a big off. Perhaps just WC hangover.

Yup but forget hazard... diff category pedro looks like a proper winger, while Willian does not and has not for quite some time.

Not bad for alonso: an assist and a goal... and now just defended well from the set piece... if ppl would only see...

He is, but then it’s his first tough game in a new league and new system. Pl frenetic pace needs getting used to. Others have’t figured out the system yet. so not entirely surprising. Just happy for morata return to football.

Can we agree a player cannot defend against two opponents exchanging passes? Classic overlaps. In the 2 goals the fullbacks are beaten but not by a single player, but 2 or more doing overlaps. the mids need to track back to stop that. THe cbs cannot leave their position, otherwise they create another hole. Kante? Or Jorginho actually did run to help alonso then he stopped tracking the player.. weird it’s the middle... maybe just mechanics which are still rusty.

It’s the midfield. they are doing two-ones on both sides and ours minds are not covering well or at all. Even kante was at fault in the second.

I liked Cole very much so, and value Alonso too for different reasons. Same way I also value Azpi even though he's not so great in attack. Both types can contribute in the right system and the right teammates. Given that our CM seems to be in much better shape, I'm far more concerned about Morata (and Giroud!) goal scoring slump. And the AM/winger situation since IMO we only have one (eden).

Fair enough, but many of these question should be asked of Hazard, since that's literally his job. And yet, we are here asking this of Alonso... the left-back. Hazard has the same virtues and weaknesses when playing for Belgium, so don't think he has a whole lot to do with Alonso. Alonso link up play is underrated simply because he's a good passer with good technique - yes, in open play. Underrated in defense because his strength in the air also helps there. The thing about Marcelo, is that people underestimate how bad he is in defense. So, when he's not amazing in attack, he never is for Brazil, he sucks. I don't want to sound like I think Alonso is a fantastic player who got no weakness. Just that when I read this thread, I wonder if we are discussing Alonso or Bakayoko.

Heh matter of opinion. For me Marcelo is very Overrated. He does well for real. Does not do a thing right for Brazil. One of those flashy players who look better than they are. alonso is very underrated here. His contribution over 2 seasons is as clear as day to me. His stats show an important player for us regardless of style or preferences. Remove him from the team and 7 goals (plus a few assists) go poof. Can the other one make up for it? Maybe maybe not... not for me to decide.

Yeah would not try to exploit azpi’s defensive weakness that’s for sure. now the same could be said of every attacking fullback. RM Marcelo would be the perfect example as he can’t defend to save his life (way way worse than Alonso). that does not hurt Madrid though. The system takes care of that or atshould - that’s why the manager also makes the big bucks.

Reckon he does not get a chance because of his ability (the lack thereof). I'm sure they watch him plenty in practices and when he's playing abroad. Watched him a few times over the years and boy he's consistently poor to my eyes. He's not physical enough, not technical enough, and does not read the game particularly well. Only saving grace would be his pace for a CB. Prob going to see out his deal and never get the same amount again.... only reason he's still at the club.

agree with everything else except on Luiz passing. Some of his passing against Huddersfield was just incredible, like fast forward passes in between players, which are difficult to intercept. Some of them were a bit too heavy for Pedro (not the greatest first touch either :)). But once again, this was against very weak opposition... D.Luiz seems to be at his best against both the very weak and the toughest opposition... anything in between and he's in trouble

Regarding Alonso, I'll go out in a limb and say that perhaps the second manager, several coaches, and staff see something in practice that we don't get too see. I tend to think the starter faces the tougher opponents (than the subs), so it's usually unfair to compare them. I feel his lack of pace is exaggerated and it's a simplistic view akin to when folks say that when Hazard beats a player, it's one less defender the attack has to deal with. In any working system, neither would be true. I actually think Alonso, being the polar opposite of Azpi, is a great fit in terms of characteristics, but that's just me. Still, I feel Emerson will get minutes this season and will be able to show is value to the team. Also suspect his injury history makes the coaches a bit cautious with him, perhaps doing some strengthening on the side too. D.Luiz is far more quirky case than Alonso. You can play Luiz as a CB, but the system has to be tweaked so much that few teams and managers are willing to do so. He gives you a lot though: his passing is of jorginho quality (would say D.Luiz has better range actually), which is of course not a key ability for a CB. But when you are pressing the opposition, David Luiz can really help a side... could def see him working well under Pep for ex. Not overly worried. I honestly don't think the defense will be more exposed in Sarri's formation. The 4 in the back will be well protected by 2 player who defend well, plus others who can help as well (Ross).

agreed on Ross and RLC. Though I think RLC was more of positioning than workrate as he moved higher than where Ross had been playing. I just don't know if that was instruction he misread the game, which is def something he needs to improve on. Promising start, but Ross needs to do more in possession though - RLC excuses no longer apply to him at 24.

he does look on the short side for goalkeepers. My personal preference is for taller GKs... no, it doesn't have to be courtois tall, but tall enough to dominate crosses and to reach those upper-top shots. Just hope the club fully evaluated him and this is not what it looked like: a panic buy.

Keep hearing the Pedro and hazard as false 9 crazy talk... yeah move the one (attacking) world class player we got to play in more contested areas to exploit his most glaring weakness: finishing... and we complain about morata physicality... have you look at Pedro? He gets away with it because of his pace and because he enjoys more space on the wings, but he’s lightweight. In most of our games we will have the football and will need a cfs who are a threat in the air too. my hope is that morata did score plenty of goals before his injury last season. So hopefully it is just a slump now that he is fit again. Of course he needs to start scoring or we have to try something else. IMO if we go false 9 it only means we have no striker and therefore are fucked. Morata did play well today, but his finishing was lackluster as lacking conviction. His first touch was particularly impressive at times. And he’s always an aerial threat.

he has the most important: technique The rest is really up to him. Manager and the club (coaches) are def there to help him get that last polish until he can routinely play. Really like him as a player and think he's improved a lot since last year, esp work rate. He's already a far better player than Bakayoko will ever be, so don't see why we should loan him to just sign someone not as good. Glad he's staying!

sure, I didn't say CHO shouldn't be involved at all, but starting games, esp away from home, can be pretty tough on yougsters. Would make a lot more sense for him to come in later on. Mbappe is not a very good comparison imo. He's also a physical wonder at his age. He's just very powerful considering how skillful and nimble he is. As good as CHO is, don't think he's at that level. We literally pay the likes of Willian to suffer through these tough away games. If the game becomes easier, or spaces open up that CHO can do something with, then perhaps Sarri will use him.