I think the manager said before the game that Alisson was likely to start because he hadn’t played in a while, so I’m thinking a very similar logic applies here as to why we did poorly overall, and not just one or two players. Along the lines of what @BillyBiskix and @RedArmada suggested, we’re generally a team that not only relies on momentum, but also finessing the minutiae, so it’s not surprising that a disruption to our training schedule and general availability of players is a problem here.
Hopefully as we get back into rhythm things will improve and we’ll start the steamroller again.
We didn’t have anyone else available. In hindsight we should have started Jones, but we should never be in a place where we’re relying on a youngster as out only creative midfielder
An odd observation I made over the past 3-5 games (could have been for longer) is that Henderson and VVD seem to be playing with a constant frown and a bit of chip on their shoulder… It’s all a bit edgy and niggly rather than being workmanlike and energetic - which is when they’re at their best.
Although I suspect (but have no evidence to prove it) that we probably score from a lower percentage of the total of set pieces than most other teams, because I agree, watching the game we do seem to be very wasteful of those opportunities.
I’ve noticed the same thing, in addition to the incessant barking at teammates. I generally have no problem with that type of on-pitch leadership, however it quickly loses it’s affect when their own play hasn’t been very good. I love Hendo as if he were my own family, but I wish he’d tone down the hollering because it’s become quite obnoxious.
Regarding Virg, I posted on the match thread it’s going to take time for him to get fully back. Ilkay Gündogan has talked in detail that it took him 2 full years after his ACL to feel 100% himself and back to full confidence.
I feel badly for Virgil, I’m sure it’s not been easy.
Maybe there should be a rule change, corners to be taken 10yds nearer to the goal, if the modern day footballer is incapable of crossing a dead ball past the first defender.
I agree with this, but I wonder why it doesn’t affect Man Cheaty at all. They too could and should be disrupted by all this, but somehow, they seem above all this. Any explication, apart from ‘good fortune’?
I’m not denying that some of our corners have been downright dire. I’m just saying that it is possible for us to be thinking that we are absolute dogshit at set pieces, while still being the team with the highest success rate, simply because scoring from set pieces isn’t that all common, just like scoring from outside the box.
