Yeah i agree this was a game where we actually had shots and worked the keeper beyond even the goals we scored. There was good ball possession but importantly we did actual things in the penalty box. We could have even had more with a more competent finisher than Werner and a little luck with the 2nd Johnson chance and the half volley from Romero.Dunno
To have an Xg of over 5 shows we were doing a hell of a lot right in final third
We did have moments of poor choices
We also had 3 one on ones saved by a keeper who is actually very good at them (sometimes we should credit the opposition)
But it was more than a win IMO
It was a statement win
Dominant again a team who are meant to be our challengers
They're not good, but we made them look awful. They're not actually that bad.Yeah 8 agree this was a game where we actuall had shots and worked the keeper. There was good ball possession but importantly we did actual things in the penalty box. We could have even had more with a more competent finisher than Werner.
I agree it's a statement but more so for the hype. United are brick, beating them is good but we can't get hyped on it. We SHOULD be beating them and handily like we did. They are awful.
It's promising because since the Brentford match we've definitely been playing with a lot more pace and intention. It's actually making the defenders work and second guess what's happening and then helps our forwards in turn like Johnson giving him some breathing space that he needs.They're not good, but we made them look awful. They're not actually that bad.
If our performance up until the red card is just what we "should" be doing we're in for some ride this season. Because we really were excellent.
Should have been a red for Ugarte for taking out Kulu when he put Werner through first halfOn the red card, I didn't think it was a red but I've f**k all sympathy for Fernandes. He's admitted he cynically tried to foul Maddison as we were breaking (which provides further proof Jamie Redknapp is a roosterwomble - "he went for the ball and slipped").
Maybe that's not a red but it f**king should be and it tinkles me off to see that sort of cynicism being coached into young players. I saw a pretty sickening example of it at an under 13 game this week - kids learn this brick from the pros. I know you can never make every cynical foul a red because it's impossible to prove intent but I've no sympathy for Fernandes when it happens like this.
I’d say it’s because we not inverting as much which leaves room for other players to do their jobIt's promising because since the Brentford match we've definitely been playing with a lot more pace and intention. It's actually making the defenders work and second guess what's happening and then helps our forwards in turn like Johnson giving him some breathing space that he needs.
I don't expect it to work as well as it did the first half against everyone but it gives hell of a lot more of a chance than the overly slow and overly intricate play we were trying in the first 3 league games.
Roosterwomble is a new personal favourite. Also need a new keyboard as I've just sprayed this one with coffee...On the red card, I didn't think it was a red but I've f**k all sympathy for Fernandes. He's admitted he cynically tried to foul Maddison as we were breaking (which provides further proof Jamie Redknapp is a roosterwomble - "he went for the ball and slipped").
Maybe that's not a red but it f**king should be and it tinkles me off to see that sort of cynicism being coached into young players. I saw a pretty sickening example of it at an under 13 game this week - kids learn this brick from the pros. I know you can never make every cynical foul a red because it's impossible to prove intent but I've no sympathy for Fernandes when it happens like this.
Unfortunately, Son's best position in this team would be where Kulu/Maddison are playing- because that's the position in Ange's system that receives the ball where Son likes to receive it: on the edge of the box in space. However, unlike Kulu, I'm afraid Son probably doesn't have the pure technique/vision or passing ability to make that work. Ange himself said recently he sees Son's best position as off the left flank. The fact that him playing there limits the effectiveness of the system overall says to me we may well consider a big offer for Sonny in the summer if we are serious about trying to make this system work.I love that we waited until we were away at a hoodoo ground for us, and that it took a central defender to truly show a true understanding of Angeball.
I've no doubt that VDV like every player on the pitch has it drummed into him all week to build the play around the principal of playing through the lines, getting in behind down the flanks and then getting the ball across the edge of the six yard box. Its literally worthy of being trademarked, its such an Ange philosophy.
The fact that VDV took it on himself to gallop into a position to do that after 3 minutes set the tone.
Also, whether he's able to finish or not, Werner suits this approach better than Son - Sonny is rarely at the back post hovering for a tap in where Johnson is making a name for himself, or where Timo was yesterday only for Mazraoui to step in.
I love Sonny but I think we need an Ange intervention as per Kulu to find his best place in the team.
The ball bounces off son and he isnt a quick thinkerUnfortunately, Son's best position in this team would be where Kulu/Maddison are playing- because that's the position in Ange's system that receives the ball where Son likes to receive it: on the edge of the box in space. However, unlike Kulu, I'm afraid Son probably doesn't have the pure technique/vision or passing ability to make that work. Ange himself said recently he sees Son's best position as off the left flank. The fact that him playing there limits the effectiveness of the system overall says to me we may well consider a big offer for Sonny in the summer if we are serious about trying to make this system work.
The ball bounces off son and he isnt a quick thinker
He is an exceptional finisher
For the sake of Ange ball and the clubs success I hope we look at phasing out sonny more and more
YepSadly I agree, he's been fantastic for us and like Kane a true legend.
I think he is a quick thinker but it's more his vision - i.e. he is a quick thinker but he's limited in terms of his thinking. He comes alive around the box so he's very alive to a quick one-two or a pocket of space to dive into but if he receives the ball in midfield or out wide and there's no obvious immediate route to goal I think he struggles with what to do and often then tries to run into dead ends or banks of Defenders or just passes the ball back.The ball bounces off son and he isnt a quick thinker
He is an exceptional finisher
For the sake of Ange ball and the clubs success I hope we look at phasing out sonny more and more
Sadly I agree, he's been fantastic for us and like Kane a true legend.
Ange wants wingersI think he is a quick thinker but it's more his vision - i.e. he is a quick thinker but he's limited in terms of his thinking. He comes alive around the box so he's very alive to a quick one-two or a pocket of space to dive into but if he receives the ball in midfield or out wide and there's no obvious immediate route to goal I think he struggles with what to do and often then tries to run into dead ends or banks of Defenders or just passes the ball back.
Ultimately it's clear as day what Ange wants his wingers to do for his system to work and actually it's dead simple: when we have the ball in midfield or defence you've got to be wide.
If you get the ball you need to run for the line and hit it low across goal.
If we have the ball on the opposite flank have the ball you need to head straight for the back post.
That basically goes against every instinct Sonny has as a footballer and that's the fundamental problem.