That's why I keep saying we need to buy a creative midfielder in the next window/s, sorry to say it but this is Kevin's final year at the top level, injuries starting to kick in unfortunately, he has to be replaced as hard as it is. Add a Rodri back up, new full back and a back up striker and that should doView attachment 134151
Just watched the match on the OS & Fulham were good. They had three clear cut chances to score, but profligate finishing & the brilliance of Ederson kept them at bay.
We were far better in the second half, but were under serious pressure for the last 20 minutes. However, Fulham had a clear week & we'd played away in the CL which has to be taken into consideration, as I thought our levels dropped for the final quarter of the match which is understandable.
I thought Gundog was poor in the first half, but improved after the break, but he isn't having the influence he did during our treble season.
Kovacic, Bernardo, Akanji, Gvardiol, Dias & Rico had good games, but we seemed to lack creativity through the packed central midfield areas.
Over all, I thought we deserved the win, but we couldn't complain if Fulham got a draw. Three Points is three points, & hopefully the international break will give Pep the opportunity to assess how we get around the creativity issue.
Kev will be back which will give us better options & we have to find a way to solidify our defence better than we are. Thankfully, Doku's zinger of a goal, which swerved away from Leno for effectively the winner guaranteed us a hard fought win.
I saw nothing to be pressing the panic alarm over. However, we do have big scope for improvement, but credit to Fulham for giving us a proper game all the same.
Four players that we need to get absolutely right is a stretch but I agree with you its needed. Kevin and Gundo will be 34 next year, Bernie and Kova 31 and Rodri hopefully returned. A lot will be falling on Phil's shoulders and it may be we need two AM's rather than one (unless Nunes kicks on). If you look at Phils trajectory it took three seasons for him to be playing 50 games and the same will be true of James Mcatee who will do well to get 15-20 games next season.That's why I keep saying we need to buy a creative midfielder in the next window/s, sorry to say it but this is Kevin's final year at the top level, injuries starting to kick in unfortunately, he has to be replaced as hard as it is. Add a Rodri back up, new full back and a back up striker and that should do
It a way of deciding who goes through to the next round, take any game you wish and if it finishes 1:1 and you go to penalties, team A beat team B, 5:4 on penalties, the result is team A qualify 5:4 on penalties.The tie is over 2 legs and even if the game ends in a draw you need pens to finalise the resul
It a way of deciding who goes through to the next round, take any game you wish and if it finishes 1:1 and you go to penalties, team A beat team B, 5:4 on penalties, the result is team A qualify 5:4 on penalties.
Not 6:5 because the score from the game is not relevant to the penalty shoot out, the game is over.
Your right to be sad we were eliminated on penalties.Well, What you're saying is I was sad and down for a couple of weeks over a draw and not a loss
You have drawn the 2 legged tie 3:3 and have been eliminated on penalties.On the other hand, you lose the first leg 2-1, but win the 2nd leg 2-1; you then get knocked out on pens, have you won the game or lost the game. Of course, the answer is you won the game!
We rarely get turned over when teams come to play creatively rather than packin' their defensive third.View attachment 134151
Just watched the match on the OS & Fulham were good. They had three clear cut chances to score, but profligate finishing & the brilliance of Ederson kept them at bay.
We were far better in the second half, but were under serious pressure for the last 20 minutes. However, Fulham had a clear week & we'd played away in the CL which has to be taken into consideration, as I thought our levels dropped for the final quarter of the match which is understandable.
I thought Gundog was poor in the first half, but improved after the break, but he isn't having the influence he did during our treble season.
Kovacic, Bernardo, Akanji, Gvardiol, Dias & Rico had good games, but we seemed to lack creativity through the packed central midfield areas.
Over all, I thought we deserved the win, but we couldn't complain if Fulham got a draw. Three Points is three points, & hopefully the international break will give Pep the opportunity to assess how we get around the creativity issue.
Kev will be back which will give us better options & we have to find a way to solidify our defence better than we are. Thankfully, Doku's zinger of a goal, which swerved away from Leno for effectively the winner guaranteed us a hard fought win.
I saw nothing to be pressing the panic alarm over. However, we do have big scope for improvement, but credit to Ful've jam for giving us a proper game all the same.
We're at a similar juncture to where we were at during Pep's first season. We had a top quality squad that was ageing in crucial areas. The following summer we practically bought a new defence, & whilst I'm not suggesting we buy a new midfield, we certainly must start putting the pieces in place for life after KDB & Gundog.That's why I keep saying we need to buy a creative midfielder in the next window/s, sorry to say it but this is Kevin's final year at the top level, injuries starting to kick in unfortunately, he has to be replaced as hard as it is. Add a Rodri back up, new full back and a back up striker and that should do
Teams will use whatever tactics they see best to get a result against us. Fulham were defensively solid, & it was an evident tactic to use the speed of Traore & Iwobi to hit us on the break.We rarely get turned over when teams come to play creatively rather than packin' their defensive third.