Still not sure if the season has ended or this is early pre season games. Either way we looked better last 2 games, looks like 6 in the mix midfield at times going forward, who does that remind you of....
I thought we've played really well in these knockout games.
Certainly, the players are fitter and used to the conditions. We are pressing really well, very high up the pitch and we are becoming more aggressive in midfield. There is a proper bite in the tackle and I can see that across the squad.
I've been really impressed the way we've played on the counter attack but also how we stop the counter attack. Finally I also think we defend the 18 yard line very well too.
Of course, the opposition isn't Premier League in the sense of what we'll come up against week in, week out, but we have adapted really well.
I sense we have a pretty well established first team now and that will help bed new players in as the season develops. I know we all wanted to see more of the new players in the team play, but it's better to integrate them slowly at first into a settled team than exposing them with an unbalanced X1.
Luke, please! Don't say anything so high for Enzo. They (Real Madrid) want to steal him from us. I really hope he stays with us at least for another year.
Great review Luke. I think to be fair to Enzo from the back ends of last season and the run in for the Champions League places and throughout this tournament he has shown more flexibility and adaptability. We will have to remember this is only the end of the second season as the top dog.
Liked the way players gave as good as they got as the opposition tried to roughhouse them.
I can forgive Jackson for not passing to palmer although it could have turned out differently we were 2-0 up and I suspect he shot because he wanted to prove his worth.
More importantly the injury to Caicedo might be an issue re the final.
We're going to have to overcome injuries in the season. We've seen Essugo, Lavia, James, Santos and Dewsbury Hall all playing in midfield, so clearly while there is a pecking order so to speak, players can come in and out of the system and in theory the system should still function. Resting Caicedo and Fernandez while still winning games will be key to our success next season.
Nicely put Luke, it was also hot in the stadium
Still not sure if the season has ended or this is early pre season games. Either way we looked better last 2 games, looks like 6 in the mix midfield at times going forward, who does that remind you of....
Hope palmer gets some good time off soon
You hit the nail on the head with your assessment of Noni and Jackson. Do you think that they are on the way out?
Noni is Gone, all but confirmed at this point really.
Nico will go I believe.
Thanks Luke. I’m just surprised we haven’t used Nico at wing during this tournament unless he said no.
Inverting full-backs should be a tactical option, not an article of religion—hope Maresca starting to realise this.
I thought we've played really well in these knockout games.
Certainly, the players are fitter and used to the conditions. We are pressing really well, very high up the pitch and we are becoming more aggressive in midfield. There is a proper bite in the tackle and I can see that across the squad.
I've been really impressed the way we've played on the counter attack but also how we stop the counter attack. Finally I also think we defend the 18 yard line very well too.
Of course, the opposition isn't Premier League in the sense of what we'll come up against week in, week out, but we have adapted really well.
I sense we have a pretty well established first team now and that will help bed new players in as the season develops. I know we all wanted to see more of the new players in the team play, but it's better to integrate them slowly at first into a settled team than exposing them with an unbalanced X1.
Luke, please! Don't say anything so high for Enzo. They (Real Madrid) want to steal him from us. I really hope he stays with us at least for another year.
Great game, very happy with the outcome. JP oh boy he is on fire!
Now... I hope RM wins tonight. I really prefer to play the merengues right now than the very well organised Henrique boys. Let's see!
Great review Luke. I think to be fair to Enzo from the back ends of last season and the run in for the Champions League places and throughout this tournament he has shown more flexibility and adaptability. We will have to remember this is only the end of the second season as the top dog.
Suprised pleasantly that we’ve got this far.
Liked the way players gave as good as they got as the opposition tried to roughhouse them.
I can forgive Jackson for not passing to palmer although it could have turned out differently we were 2-0 up and I suspect he shot because he wanted to prove his worth.
More importantly the injury to Caicedo might be an issue re the final.
We're going to have to overcome injuries in the season. We've seen Essugo, Lavia, James, Santos and Dewsbury Hall all playing in midfield, so clearly while there is a pecking order so to speak, players can come in and out of the system and in theory the system should still function. Resting Caicedo and Fernandez while still winning games will be key to our success next season.
I’m quietly optimistic that with Santos and Lavia added to the midfield core we can overcome most injury problems