I don’t think it is a problem.
We had 76% possession yesterday, having another defender on the pitch wastes the opportunity to have another attacking player on the pitch when we’re attacking for over ¾ of the game.
Everyone does something daft in a game. It’s when they start doing the same daft thing 16-20 times a season over-and-over again when it becomes a problem.
The five-substitute ruling now changes the way a game can unfold. You can basically play two fairly different games within the 90 minutes, if the type of opponent you're playing requires you to adapt. That favours City, who have the best squad, hands down, in the league.
West Ham are no mugs, but with respect they're not at our level, or close to it. We'll be pushed much harder by Europe's heavyweights. We need that other left back. By the way, I thought Cancelo acquitted his
defensive duties well yesterday — apart from that mistake which was just silly, and unnecessary — and I was watching that side of his game closely. But, as I say, it
was West Ham (who didn't seem to want to come at us after the first five minutes) — not P.S.G., not Liverpool, not Real Madrid.
I thought Cucurella could have been our man, and I'm still convinced he would have done well under Pep's coaching. But not at that absurd fee. And anyway, that bird has flown.
We need another good left back. Who will it be? Haven't got a scooby. I'll leave that to the professionals.
