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Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

We outnumbered their midfielders today
I couldn’t work out what system they were playing but it looked like 2-1-1-4-2

Think they were trying to take advantage of our much discussed issue of being "outnumbered in midfield". Get the midfielders, and left back and Grealish into that kind of area.

But our midfielders (including Son and Kulusevski) and defenders did a great job and showed just how well that "outnumbered in midfield" system can work when we're on our game.
 
MotD pointed out that Dier pushed forwards into midfield, freeing up Hoj and Bentan to press higher up.

Thought all our centre backs did that, but probably Dier and Romero more than Davies. Seen it before as well of course. Think Dier has done a bit more of it recently.

If PEH or Bentancur join in with a high press the defenders have to follow that up or we're just leaving gaping holes when pressing.
 
As philips isn't getting any game time at city, i think he'll get a chance very soon.

I am not that big a fan of Phillips to be honest so for me it would be Skippy. As you say if Skippy keeps his form going he will get a England call up for sure.
 
Absolutely brilliant today
Some people don’t like him and that’s cool but he was genuinely top drawer today even when outnumbered
Personally, it's not that I don't like him but I've said so many times that we don't need the manager AND a player pointing and giving directions. The pointing is basically sign language for "go cover this player as I can't be bothered to track back." That's fine if he's going to track another player or block a passing lane, but he doesn't always get there. He does win the ball back sometimes but so does Son. I think his strengths are more in attack, as it is for when he plays for his national team.

With all that said, I really took to him when he first came here but I think through no fault of his own, Mourinho and his successors just played him way too much. That is a huge attribute though to be fit and injury-free so for that, I think he's an important player. Maybe one or two people actively dislike him here on the forum, but I'm pretty sure those guys hate every player we have :D
 
Personally, it's not that I don't like him but I've said so many times that we don't need the manager AND a player pointing and giving directions. The pointing is basically sign language for "go cover this player as I can't be bothered to track back." That's fine if he's going to track another player or block a passing lane, but he doesn't always get there. He does win the ball back sometimes but so does Son. I think his strengths are more in attack, as it is for when he plays for his national team.

With all that said, I really took to him when he first came here but I think through no fault of his own, Mourinho and his successors just played him way too much. That is a huge attribute though to be fit and injury-free so for that, I think he's an important player. Maybe one or two people actively dislike him here on the forum, but I'm pretty sure those guys hate every player we have :D
If we’re judging a player on pointing his fingers we’re fudged TBH
He tracks back plenty but still isn’t perfect
He is pointing out what he can see but it doesn’t mean things aren’t going in around him thag he has missed
He wins plenty of ball back.. statistically he is one of the best at it in the league
I’ve seen him have poor games. Normally they come after a good one
 
If we’re judging a player on pointing his fingers we’re fudged TBH
He tracks back plenty but still isn’t perfect
He is pointing out what he can see but it doesn’t mean things aren’t going in around him thag he has missed
He wins plenty of ball back.. statistically he is one of the best at it in the league
I’ve seen him have poor games. Normally they come after a good one
To be clear, I don't dread seeing him in our line-ups. I used to rate him higher but now I think he's good enough for us, but because of his fitness and injury record (general availability), I think that makes him important. He does plenty of good things and came so close to scoring against Chelsea. He does make well-timed runs into the box and provides plenty of assists or key passes. There's a lot to like there, but I want him to strive for more consistency while also being given a highly-deserved break once in a while to maintain higher levels of application.

He does tend to complain a lot to the ref after getting clattered though, and is basically static. That's something for sure that needs to be cut out. Anyway, I think I'm fair in my criticisms of all the players. They each have strengths and weaknesses, so it's about setting up the team to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. I really hope we've reached that point this season and we're not just seeing a false dawn.
 
To be clear, I don't dread seeing him in our line-ups. I used to rate him higher but now I think he's good enough for us, but because of his fitness and injury record (general availability), I think that makes him important. He does plenty of good things and came so close to scoring against Chelsea. He does make well-timed runs into the box and provides plenty of assists or key passes. There's a lot to like there, but I want him to strive for more consistency while also being given a highly-deserved break once in a while to maintain higher levels of application.

He does tend to complain a lot to the ref after getting clattered though, and is basically static. That's something for sure that needs to be cut out. Anyway, I think I'm fair in my criticisms of all the players. They each have strengths and weaknesses, so it's about setting up the team to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. I really hope we've reached that point this season and we're not just seeing a false dawn.
That’s called being professional
You need players to slow the game down by exaggerating injuries. The very best teams all have players who do it

Pierre’s strength is his combination of skills rather than one
He has scored as many goals as the mighty Gabriel Jesus
He intercepts the ball better than most players and he has also been assisting goals
The guy IMO should get much more credit than he does
 
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