Glad to get the first one out of the way. Gutted about KDB. Pep's just said it's the same hamstring again, so fuck knows how long he's gonna be out for.
I hope Walker's OK too. The Burnley player who took him out will learn. It was added time, the game was dead for them, so why the fuck go in with a dangerous life or death lunge from behind that could've ended Kyle's season? Fuckin madness! \0/
We were good in parts, but poor in others & I thought disjointed overall. TBH, I was struggling to see what Pep wanted us to do in the first half. At times we were playing with two at the back, with Walker playing right wing & Lewis double pivot with Rodders (who was my MoTM), & we looked all over the place.
Perhaps this was down to a very impressive Burnley, who were a decent striker short of causing us some major grief. Well done Vinny! Albeit he lost his first match as a PL manager, there were a lot of positives for the season ahead.
The Viking's first goal was a a quick off the mark, No 9 masterclass. It was his alertness which made the goal, & his second was a thing of sheer beauty. What a strike!
Our lack of width continues to concern me. Phil did nowt on the left, but was far better on the right after KDB went off, but we desperately need Paqueta & Doku to provide genuine pace, width & the jeopardy we lost when Sterling, Sané & Mahrez moved on.
Kovacic had a steady debut, but he's no Dog in a creative or attacking sense. We need to address the loss of creativity in the centre as it seriously told when Kev went off.
We could also do with Wirtz as a longterm successor to Kev, who I fear will need to manage his game time this season, as injuries & his waning physicality begin to tell.
All in all, it's early doors for season 2023 - 2024, & yet again we're making a slow & unsteady start. However, three points away at a bouncing Burnley can't be sniffed at.
Finally, Burnley's toothless, barefooted, knuckle-dragging, 6 fingered, inbred fans don't deserve a class individual like Vinny as manager. I've still not forgotten the plane with the banner in 2020 either.
Anyway, roll on Wednesday hey!