There was one that was a brilliant pass from Wissa. Jacquet looked awkward as fuck but got the job done and dealt with it
2 Likes
Not scoring, take the shot. Even if we miss we get to reset
2 Likes
Was very lucky as the pass wasn’t difficult.
Think quite a few fans were glad he didnt…can u imagine if he missed…geez his match cred isnt at it’s best at the moment…
2 Likes
Sure but if they block and it gets cleared we´re still in the same situation.
Basically I think it wasn´t just that he didn´t score but the fact that both he and Szobo (and Wirtz) were all around the box and nobody was covering.
1 Like
Poor performance. It’s only one game, but that’s a dreadful start to the season. A lack of quality, too open, and still so many weaknesses unaddressed this window. No control, and two points dropped. Improvement very much needed.
3 Likes
He had an open path on the shot, no one between him and the goal to block it, also the pass was weak easily cut out and direct a pass, skill rather than luck if a block somehow happened.
Mentality monsters are back?
Just kidding.
I thought we started well but Grav decided to ignore the shot or the better passing options and we got hit on the break. After that we looked flat.
I’m concerned about Wirtz and how weak he looks both physically and mentally. He looks like a boy at times. He lacks any physical presence. I’m struggling to think of a player who has looked that lightweight.
Lets hope we make a few signings this week.
2 Likes
The first match, and straight off to Newcastle, where the top teams are generally all struggling playing with a new system. No problem with the draw, and I’m looking forward to next week’s match against Forest.
2 Likes
It took 9 games for Bournemouth to adapt Iraola , so that’s one out of the way.
2 Likes
Well, I expected some teething issues and time needed to get up to speed. Let’s see how many weeks that takes but surely only upwards from here.
Only positive really is not losing. Heads didn’t entirely drop, kept going, rescued something from it.
Work in progress, new blood required, more time on the training ground needed.
2 Likes
3 Likes
Yeah. The midfield balance wasn’t right. It is something that can be addressed with signings but it’s also a reflection on two players playing still learning new roles in a new system. It’s an area where should see big improvements from more time together, but the players have to want it. Iraola’s off the ball approach is quite exposing of players not committing all the way and those are questions Dom and Grav will have to ask for themselves, if what they did to make sure the ball didn’t get in behind them, was enough. Dom in particular has earned a reputation for hard work off the ball but it is one thing to do it 10 yards outside their box where winning it creates chances and covers you in glory and if it doesn’t work there are 8 guys still behind you to clean up. It’s another thing to be asked to do it 5 yards inside their half where if you’d don’t your team is fucked. It’s more grunt work, it’s less celebrated, where doing your job doesn’t necessarily even mean something tangible like winning the ball back (see Dom’s failure to hold up Wissa on their second) and it’s a lot less negotiable. It’s maybe that sense of seriousness that’s missing from both their games right now in the roles they are playing.
Other than that, Rio was disappointing but towards the end he started trying to find ways to get involved that added some variety to things. He’s obviously a massive talent but he’s not undeniable yet. But Isak is a problem. We didn’t buy someone who is just a goal scorer and it’s that inability to get involved that is causing us more problems right now than his lack of goals. Maybe this game is a one off, but like Iraola said before the game, players at this level should be buoyed by that sort of treatment from the away fans, not shy from it.
Overall, it feels it’s the personality that was lacking from that performance more than talent or quality.
4 Likes
Gravenberch gave the ball away way too much all game. He also cost us the first goal, and gave it away only minutes after and put us under pressure. I would get rid and with Macca, and bring in Wharton and another. The Toon poured through the centre of the park all game.
Im also close to writing off Wirtz, and possibly Isak. I dont see any signs of an emergence of world beating quality, We were ripped over £150m combined over both players. Wirtz simply cannot operate in the PL.
We are in effect worse than we were last season.
I know every pundit and their grandma is saying this, but it’s not a priority.
It’s really more about the overall tactical organization
I knew we were in trouble when all we had to bring on was Koumas, plenty of energy tried hard but not good enough at this level. I blame Hughes for not buying players earlier and instead PSG have snared us and clearly do not want to sell to us especially their manager. I hope we get to play them in the CL With or without Barcola.
We’ve needed a defensive mid for two years now.
Grav filled in and we just settled for that.
I was shocked to see our bench. I was thinking, this can’t be it with all the money we’ve spent.
1 Like
Let me think about that for a moment…err nah.
1 Like
Wirtz is a similar build as Coutinho and he was some player.