Agree with you Luke. The attacking looks great and will be the strength of the team this season, with the depth needed for rotation/ in case of injury. Is there any setup where we could see Palmer and Nkunku in the same team? Would love to see these guys together in the pockets opposite one another. Maybe Kate in games when we need a Goal?
I think the addition of Neto has been vital. Obviously he's needed no time to settle in because of his wealth of Premier league experience. But his position high and wide on the left, together with his talent, seems to have created room for Palmer to operate who, in turn, can link up with great effect with Madueke. So the dots have drawn up really nicely
Thanks Luke but you have neglected a crucial part of the team which gives me great concern. The midfield because its the engine room of the team. Caicedo and Enzo don't work together and from what he has showed so far I'm not sure about Enzo at all. He only seems to play well for Argentina. We have talent in the squad but its unbalanced. Only time will tell but with our consistency problems I can't with all honesty say I'm confident for the season ahead.
Can’t comment on the midfield currently as I don’t believe it is Maresca’s first choice pairing. Lavia will start when fit reducing Enzo/Caicedo to rotation whilst also managing Lavia’s minutes.
We’re 3 games in and the attack is clearly ahead of anywhere else in terms of connection and understanding. Midfield and Defence will always take longer to adapt to a new style
I also can see Reese James and Veiga filling a defensive role in midfield in certain games to allow Lavia to rest. Both have the ability to fulfil that role and have played there in the past.
Luke how worried are you about our defensive structure? The CBs are fine but in Enzo and the attackers we have players who are not great out of possession and i think we will struggle against better sides. Players like Felix, Mudryk, Palmer, Nkunku, Sancho lack intensity / tracking back that you need from the attackers to help out the midfield. Still think probably a midfield 2 of Lavia and Caicedo is the way to go.... but the SDs / Eghbali wont let Meresca bench Enzo.
I actually thought that both Neto and Noni tracked back well against Crystal Palace and showed that they were learning what is expected of them from Enzo. Others are gonna have to follow suit to ensure they get game time with Enzo.
Agree with you Luke. The attacking looks great and will be the strength of the team this season, with the depth needed for rotation/ in case of injury. Is there any setup where we could see Palmer and Nkunku in the same team? Would love to see these guys together in the pockets opposite one another. Maybe Kate in games when we need a Goal?
I think the addition of Neto has been vital. Obviously he's needed no time to settle in because of his wealth of Premier league experience. But his position high and wide on the left, together with his talent, seems to have created room for Palmer to operate who, in turn, can link up with great effect with Madueke. So the dots have drawn up really nicely
Thanks Luke but you have neglected a crucial part of the team which gives me great concern. The midfield because its the engine room of the team. Caicedo and Enzo don't work together and from what he has showed so far I'm not sure about Enzo at all. He only seems to play well for Argentina. We have talent in the squad but its unbalanced. Only time will tell but with our consistency problems I can't with all honesty say I'm confident for the season ahead.
Can’t comment on the midfield currently as I don’t believe it is Maresca’s first choice pairing. Lavia will start when fit reducing Enzo/Caicedo to rotation whilst also managing Lavia’s minutes.
We’re 3 games in and the attack is clearly ahead of anywhere else in terms of connection and understanding. Midfield and Defence will always take longer to adapt to a new style
I also can see Reese James and Veiga filling a defensive role in midfield in certain games to allow Lavia to rest. Both have the ability to fulfil that role and have played there in the past.
That’s true about the midfield but I would say unless we absolutely have to don’t play Enzo and Caicedo in the same team.
Luke how worried are you about our defensive structure? The CBs are fine but in Enzo and the attackers we have players who are not great out of possession and i think we will struggle against better sides. Players like Felix, Mudryk, Palmer, Nkunku, Sancho lack intensity / tracking back that you need from the attackers to help out the midfield. Still think probably a midfield 2 of Lavia and Caicedo is the way to go.... but the SDs / Eghbali wont let Meresca bench Enzo.
I actually thought that both Neto and Noni tracked back well against Crystal Palace and showed that they were learning what is expected of them from Enzo. Others are gonna have to follow suit to ensure they get game time with Enzo.
They won’t get away with not working hard under Maresca, it’ll take time but he will coach it in to them!
Some of the attacking combinations I saw during the Wolves game was breathtaking.
Attacking players are showing huge improvements from beginning of last season to now.
I’m looking forward to Jadon Sancho and Neto settling in.
I also think us having the Conference League to help players get additional minutes will help build team chemistry.
Hopefully the defense also starts improving with time.