Al Ain (N) | CWC | Post Match Thread

[King Jay]

Think Kushinov is an accident waiting to happen, hope I’m wrong as I really hope he succeeds, however he looks to have zero confidence but puts himself in some messy situations which you won’t get away with in the premier league

Needs more games instead of sitting on the bench the whole time

 

[69FACUPfinal]

I woke up and watched the 2nd half best as I could, but was it only me or were we passing with a fluidity and one touch and more emphasis on getting forward into dangerous areas fast. Mixing it up a bit.
I know the opposition won’t have been great but there was an excitement to our play and passing not really seen last season

You are right - first para. There was and it was fab to see after last season.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

One of the most blatant penal offences of the season and the ref ignores it.

 

[skybluepower]

one should not get carried away by winning against a team from the third class of world football. this does not change the fact that Gundogan cannot repeat this in the EPL and that he will be outrun by every Premier League midfielder.

also Akanji can only play against such teams

 

[cibaman]

It was like watching a FA Cup tie against a League 1 or 2 team. But a useful workout. An impressive debut by Ait Nouri although he wasn’t tested defensively. Haaland looked really pissed off at the end that we didn’t score the 7 th goal.

 

[DiscoSteve]

Gutted we didn't get that 7-0 - would have much preferred to go into the Juve game needing only a draw to finish top - finishing practise a priority, especially for the big lunk up front! ;-)

 

[aka blue jambo]

My only disappointment was Bobb but I suppose he is just inching back to fitness and confidence

 

[ninjamonkey]

Opposition were incredibly poor, training games all week will have been harder than that.

First concern is echeverri and gvardiol, hopefully it was purely precautionary and no injuries.

Nico Gonzalez has a long way to go, hopefully rodri's return sparks his improved learning, we need him to get it faster, we're currently still fucked in that holding role come the wolves game.

Ait nouri had a solid debut, haaland should benefit from him once he's on the same wavelength. lovely goal from echeverri, although, the wall was genuinely abysmal.

Nice cameo from Cherki, loved the goal, his link up and willingness to shoot off either foot is going to be a big, big asset in breaking through banked up sides. Bobb showed a return to last pre-seasons form.

rodri getting more minutes is always good. he's understandably caught the shithouse trait most players have after such an injury, going to take him a while to return to something resembling the Balon d'or winner, patience required there, he's still months away from starting a competitive game.

Gundo showing his permanent class.
Most Interesting was just how much we wanted that 7th to potentially avoid Madrid, dont think we'd have been remotely bothered by that prospect a couple of years ago. Might be good to play them, knock those twats out and make them fear us again. Saying that, Juve aren't amazing, we should be beating them anyway if we wish to go any further.

 

[Protein Junkie]

Well that’s another £1.5m in the bank.
Valuable minutes in the legs for more of our players.
Whilst another goal would have been great why not go out and beat Juve. If not we can beat Madrid instead.
PMA and love this club.

 

[KS55]

Lots of good signs but the oppo was very poor. Cautiously optimistic.
We have a left back! Praise be. Er…now can we have one on the right, please.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Cherki looks like he could find space if he was trapped in a phonebox with luke shaw.

Space? I'm not having that. He might find a dozen meat pies though ; )

 

[Rory Bluelow]

Try Channel Five's catch-up service.

It doesn’t seem to be covered and I forget to set record. Bugger !

 

[heslops barnet]

Needs more games instead of sitting on the bench the whole time

Never get up to speed until he gets a run of games

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

Good run out. Echeverri’s free kick sublime and Ait-Nouri looks solid.

Roll on Thursday!

 

[Abottleofefes]

Anyone got any recommendations for how to find a version of the highlights which is longer than 6 minutes?

 

[Rodri’s ACL]

That Echeverri free kick technique looks awful similar to another certain Argentinian’s…
Brilliant awareness from Cherki for his goal.
Ait-Nouri looks mega.

 

[Rodri’s ACL]

Anyone got any recommendations for how to find a version of the highlights which is longer than 6 minutes?

Best I could find

 

[Burtonblue]

That kit is beautiful

 

[dadnlad]

Only watched till half time so far how unfair they only got small goal keeper playing reserve team as no multi million pound replacement like city and penalty was joke

 

[Gordyola]

Think Kushinov is an accident waiting to happen, hope I’m wrong as I really hope he succeeds, however he looks to have zero confidence but puts himself in some messy situations which you won’t get away with in the premier league

Aside from his first 15 mins or so v Chelsea he was pretty much our bet defender in the games he played before he "disappeared" in fact he was voted thus on here