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Comments
It was a better second half, and I thought the back four actually played quite well. We just need to improve in front of them. A strong, pacy CM would be a good addition, as would a more clinical passer.
City, as usual, were in a different league to us. Can see them winning it all to be honest. Haaland is an incredible player and they were so comfortable this afternoon.
Won't get a better workout than that also.
In the second we actually strung some passes together, looked for each other and created a couple of proper chances and I liked the look of Scamacca, so all is not lost.
Does seem less likely to run the channels, so I think we need to find a way of playing that allows Bowen and Cornet to work alongside him rather than tracking back all game.
Cornet helps that, he's rapid
We had chances; Bowen’s shot was going in in that first 3 minutes, Antonio’s header, Rice’s effort (the best chance, at 0-1), Benrahma’s curler when he should have asked more of Ederson. I felt we defended pretty well for the most part & there was natural rustiness in the legs of Bowen, Antonio, Fornals, Lanzini & they will be all the better for that run around. We had to deal with a couple of early set-backs (Dawson, Fab), added to the lack of options in defence, plus didn’t have two of our new signings & one was only able to be on the bench (but he looked very promising, seems like a proper box player).
Next week will be a tough game but after this effort & another week of training, we should be in a better position to take points.
COYI
Maybe I need to change ‘never’ to ‘in general’, but I feel he’s a very under-appreciated player.
He was pretty good today though, I'll say that much. As I said earlier, generally the back four played well. Rice was his usual self, Soucek did ok, but Fornals, Lanzini, Antonio and Bowen were poor. It's not easy to get into a game like that seeing as we rarely had the ball, but when we did they did nothing of any note with it.
Hopefully it'll be different against Forest, but that game brings a level of pressure of its own.
I will judge us after our next game.
Still need a LB though.... because we have no cover for Cresswell and not because he is a liability.