Palermo (A) | Post Match Thread

[east2]

We need intensity, fast, hopefully this provided a boost.

Was brilliant to see a goalie claiming anything around the 6 yard box, no questions asked. Always felt like a bit of a gamble with other keepers we've had as to whether they'd come or not, with Trafford you know he's taking charge. That said, Eddie did well second half apart from when he decided to play in midfield for a bit, and his passing as always is a catalyst for our play.

Ait Nouri looks sharp, was a little surprised to see Ake at left back second half rather than Gvardiol but I think that shows Pep's centre back thinking. Interesting that, unless my eyes are getting that bad, he chose to play Khusanov on the left side, and it worked. Shows he has intelligence and his positional awareness is improving.

In general we saw a few more speculative balls to the flanks from us in the first half, (Linders influence?), but we looked much better in the second when we went back to our 'control the game' mantra.

Nunes will be the same on the right. A great option going forward but no doubt there is a hole there defensively. Seeing Stones back and committed in the game is so important, especially if we're without Rodri.

Bernie industrious as ever and looked to be enjoying the captain role. Cherki full of tricks but has to be a point to them and largely there was, his short passing was constructive but the forwards still not reading his through balls. Bobb sharp too, a real asset. I think we saw the real benefit of Gundo too in this squad. Not to be used every game from the start like were forced to last year, but when control and calm is needed.

Thought Palermo were not much of a test if I'm honest, they didn't offer much beyond the keeper having a good first half and surprisingly clattering us quite frequently for a friendly. The left winger threatened to give Nunes a hard night but just didn't see enough of the ball, which is a good way for us to defend.

Seems to me Pep has developed two different ways to play now, whether that was just the disjointed nature or this friendly game or not we will have to see, but we certainly have the potential for goals from multiple sources now, especially with Tijani who is looking like a bit of a steal to be honest.

We're certainly different to last year, if that translates to fluidity and clear communication on the pitch then we will do well. Defensively I don't see much change, but that could be because of the nature of the test.

While there were many positives going forward, nothing has changed defensively, Especially in the second half, getting caught out of shape a couple of times, running back to our goal with the ball in the channel is where we look vulnerable in the same way Palace scored, EDI having his usual rush of blood, trying to take out man & ball due to lack of communication.
On a positive note, Trafford looked composed, Reijnders has hit the ground running and Mukasa will be one to watch if he can get some minutes.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Some positives from the display, all the new signings look great on the ball. Ait-Nori is so silky, Cherki wants to get on the ball at every opportunity, and Reijnders looks great arriving in the box.

Unfortunately the same issues as last season look like they are not going away. Palermo were the equivalent of a lower championship side and carved us open with ease at times. I might have become to used to us playing with a back 3 but with our back 2 first half especially Stones was finding himself out on the touchline following the attacker leaving just Khusanov on his own in the middle. I worry this will become the norm as both full backs play so attacking and all teams need to do is get it down the channels hold the ball up out run our midfield from deep and they are in.

I like all the new signings but none of them solve the issues we had last season which was that off the ball on transition we were a shambles.

Fair comment. We will score a huge number of goals this season. We have scorers everywhere. But the better teams will expose us at the back. That said I noticed last night in the second half we left three defenders back when we attacked which is three more than last season! I think Pep will sort it.

 

[Utter bobbins]

A what???

He is quite good at soccer

 

[GX Blue]

They offered very little attacking threat and still should have scored 2.

 

[Marvin.]

I don't think Stones was the best player at Palermo, a defender would struggle to be MoM in a game where we had a lot of possession. But the return of a fit John Stones is for me the best outcome of that friendly. He and Rodri make huge differences to the quality of our game, and it's s significant boost to have him available and to learn that Rodri is not far behind.

 

[IronsideKozuch]

Rewatched it, enjoyable.

A few puzzles for Pep, he’s probably happy because he has a variety of ammunition for different types of opponents.

Interestingly, O’Reilly’s performance came with relatively few comments, but in fact he was good as an 8. Importantly, you can see creative idea there - O'Reilly's task looks as well to be a cover for Ait Nouri when the latter makes a deep run into the opponent’s penalty area. Could be a smart and tricky one for opponents.

On the showing I would pick against Wolves:
Ederson/Trafford - not much between them, different strenghts.
Defensive block of: Khusanov/Stones/Dias/Ait Nouri, but still Ake been great and you have to keep a space for Gvardiol ultimately. Harsh on Lewis, played well yesterday.
Nico deserves the chance for more regular play, even though Gundo been good yesterday.
Bernardo/Reijnders/Cherki - one on the bench unfortunately. O'Reilly could play there Foden is going to be back and we have a real depth there.
Marmoush had better games, but he has to play. Hes tricky and has great shot power and accuracy. At the moment would go with Omar instead of Doku as LW.
Savinho been good, but liked Bobb more. Savio is more dynamic, but Bobb is smart and tricky, hes getting closer to his pre injury self. For me Bobb has a higer ceilling actually.

 

[KS55]

He is quite good at soccer

At what???

 

[mdj0520]

Dias ahead of Stones?

On ability no.

As far as I'm concerned stones is in the squad as a break-glass-in-emergency player.

The moment we start treating stones as a nailed on starter he will be injured within 2-3 games. He's easily our best centre half and also perfectly suited to playing in rodri's place when he's out. But he simply just will not be fit. We have a sample size of what, 9 seasons now? It's a miracle he stayed fit as long as he did in the treble run in. If he would retire from England that would be a start, but he won't be doing that. He's just not in my consideration and I do t think we should rely on him being an option, because if he's played consistently he won't be.

 

[Goatmeal]

The thing I noticed was Reindeers face. Like all his Christmas’s had come together (pardon the pun).
Must be thinking ‘what a squad to play with’

 

[69FACUPfinal]

While there were many positives going forward, nothing has changed defensively, Especially in the second half, getting caught out of shape a couple of times, running back to our goal with the ball in the channel is where we look vulnerable in the same way Palace scored, EDI having his usual rush of blood, trying to take out man & ball due to lack of communication.
On a positive note, Trafford looked composed, Reijnders has hit the ground running and Mukasa will be one to watch if he can get some minutes.

Agree about the defence and Eddie, first game but I felt more reassured with Trafford. The defence continues to be a liability.

Gundo was our old Silky Ilkay and used sparingly is a massive asset.

I like Nunes, I really like Tijanni, my jury is still out on Savinho... I like the look of the Eds guy too, apologies name escapes me.

All in all some positives, but still too many passes and not direct enough.

I'm glad we didn't get many corners, hopeJames French has come up with a few new wheezes we can Premier in the Pl next week....opponents wouldnt have had chance to see the tactics last night to retain element of surprise.

Yes I'm 7/10 pleased overall.

 

[oldius]

I liked Khusanov, and Rico's games. I was a little worried that Khusanov had disappeared into the background but he looked very comfortable. I think we have good pace in the full back positions and Khusanov might have a very big role to play in the centre of defence. I can see now why we have loaned Reis. We do have some strength in defence now.
I am happy with that pre-season game. There is lots to look forward to. There is nothing major that concerns me, only the fitness of our players and that looks good at the moment. I watched Pep's post-match press conference and he looked genuinely happy. He said that he is getting good vibes from the behaviour of the squad at the CWC and in Manchester.

.

I agree with this strongly. I saw nothing that would concern me at all. The first month, or so, is always just trying to get points on the board. It is very rare for us to be the team we end up being later in the season.
Fitness, sharpness, and finalising outgoings are, I suspect, the only priorities now.

 

[oldius]

Agree about the defence and Eddie, first game but I felt more reassured with Trafford. The defence continues to be a liability.

Gundo was our old Silky Ilkay and used sparingly is a massive asset.

I like Nunes, I really like Tijanni, my jury is still out on Savinho... I like the look of the Eds guy too, apologies name escapes me.

All in all some positives, but still too many passes and not direct enough.

I'm glad we didn't get many corners, hopeJames French has come up with a few new wheezes we can Premier in the Pl next week....opponents wouldnt have had chance to see the tactics last night to retain element of surprise.

Yes I'm 7/10 pleased overall.

Divine Mukasa

 

[jimharri]

A what???

It's a horrible expression, isn't it? "Banger" as well.

 

[Nellies left peg]

The only downside of that performance was the defence still looks wide open against the long ball which is a tactic of the lesser teams in the league like the dippers and rags

 

[Saddleworth2]

I don't think Stones was the best player at Palermo, a defender would struggle to be MoM in a game where we had a lot of possession. But the return of a fit John Stones is for me the best outcome of that friendly. He and Rodri make huge differences to the quality of our game, and it's s significant boost to have him available and to learn that Rodri is not far behind.

we look a different team with John in it. He was almost as big a miss as Rodri last season.

 

[simon23]

How did Nico G play?

Played well in the first half...wasnt on in the second

 

[Sir peace frog]

who was that who took it round the keeper and fluffed it at the end : )

edit

haha, just seen it with commentary on, im sure that will be mentioned more than his two goals in the dressing room :)

 

[simon23]

I think this season will be make or break for Doku, Savinho I think has higher potential he just needs to learn how to finish. A wing pairing of Savinho and Bobb is more balanced than Savinho and Doku.

Savihno's biggest issue is infront of goal....again last night he should have buried that chance he had....does great approach work, gets himself in great positions but his finishing is awful for the most part....really needs to work on it as he does the hard part well

 

[simon23]

who was that who took it round the keeper and fluffed it at the end : )

Reijnders

 

[East Level 2]

It's a horrible expression, isn't it? "Banger" as well.

I'd say both expressions were bloody stupid rather than horrible.