Post
by spt_claret » Sun Jul 31, 2022 9:40 am
Individual positives:
-Bastien in the first half looked quality, N'golo Kante meets Mason Mount. Faded second half but really impressed me in the first.
-Cullen looks like the perfect unfashionable centre midfielder. I almost wasn't noticing him at times, then I'd check the stats and he was everywhere. Can see why Kompany wanted him, he ticks us over like Jones used to do but with Marney's graft and bite. He'll be a good one.
-Maatsen is electric and I just wish we had him on a permanent deal. He was more a winger than a fullback, really impressed.
-Costelloe didn't have the best night in front of goal, he should have scored 2 and was clumsy with a couple layoffs in the final third- but this is all pressure scenario stuff. For a 19 year old making his debut, he was not shy of the ball at all, happy to get involved, moved well, and had moments of promise. I expect him to go to the bench when Jay or Twine are fit (Or ideally, Cornet comes back in as that role is made for him) but with further involvements he'll hopefully grow in confidence and composure and the end product will come.
-Taylor did far better than I expected as LCB. Still don't think it's his natural role and he will struggle against teams that can get into our area more, especially physical sides, but he did well.
-Barnes didn't look likely to score but looked brighter than he has in over 2 years. His dummy for the goal really surprised me, maybe he still has more in the tank than I thought.
Team positives:
-The pressing and energy we had under Dyche from 2015-18 was well and truly back. Back then we looked like a wolf pack, unbelievably organised and hard-pressing. That was in display again, and it's been long missed.
-Kompany was proactive in his subs and on a more personal level made the exact subs I wanted to see at the exact time I wanted, it regained momentum as I hoped, Dyche was hesitant with subs but at least the first few years, when he made them it again would be the exact change I'd want to see and this persisted a little (I was screaming for 433 with Vydra vs Chelsea last year, it worked). Can't help but take a bit of satisfaction when the change you want to see happens and pays off, and good to see that Kompany is starting off positively in his substitute approach even if that bench was thin on attacking options.
-We look far more on speed with this system than I ever expected. I went into the game genuinely fearing a 3-0 loss between our lineup, inexperience of the players, unfamiliarity with each other and the system, and instead we should have had a 3-0 win. Teams won't be caught offguard as much going forwards but if we can get even more comfortable with the system, I hope that doesn't matter.
This user liked this post: Conroysleftfoot
Couldn’t resist a thread…
ignoring the performance I loved Kompany’s interview afterwards. Not bothered about style of play but will try and keep the ball so we can effect the game all about hard work. Gonna be some ride from now until the end of the season it won’t all go well but I think we are back to being the hardest working side.
