I love this forum sometimes. Everyone was saying how great the lineup is before the game and I asked the question “who everyone will blame if we didn’t get a result”. It’s still the manager! Maybe I’m in the minority now but this as much a player issue than anything, not to mention Poch didn’t get the money he needed two years ago.
Lo Celso was our best player on the pitch today, it’s not Poch’s fault that he was injured for the last while. He is an automatic starter now. Kane was off it tonight so perhaps that was an illness related. Son was good. Was really impressed with Alli tonight actually. Played some really good one touch passes. Had our full backs been better, we might have got a few passes in. Davies was solid at the back but can’t cross (did people not know that). I’d start Rose knowing that someone will need to cover for him as his defending can be subjective sometimes. Aurier was poor. I think Foyth should be starting but Foyth can be pretty slow so will need to bear that in mind (where oh where is Trippier). Dier was beyond shocking tonight. Not only was his defending very suspect but his passing was atrocious. Better teams would have got him sent off or exploited him. I think Alderweireld needs to be starting. Anyone who thinks Moura should be starting is just stupid in fairness. That guy is an impact sub pure and simple. I’ve seen many like him over the years but unfortuently for him, that won’t change.
Overall it was very laboured. There was very little energy and passing was slow most of the time. That is down to two things: this lineup was pretty new and they need to get used to each other but the second major point is that these guys are devoid of confidence. Only thing Poch can do now is keep the starting lineup relatively consistent, keep the defence tight and don’t concede early or late goals, and just keep at it.
I wasn’t super impressed with the match BUT I saw some positives.