Ironically we played some of our best football this season in the first half.
Great half for Foden and Simpson Pusey impressed although he maybe should have done better for the first goal.
On another night the game would have been out of sight by HT with a hat trick for Haaland.
However :
It’s been said some many times this season…only one of Kova, Gundogan, Bernardo or even De Bruyne in the midfield at the same time…..then we need some legs and physicality….be it Nunes, or one of the youngsters (O’Reilly, Wright)
There have been opportunities, especially last season when Pep could have blooded some of the youngsters in games that were won by about 50 mins….giving them the experience some lack now.
As much as a genius as Pep is….he can be very blinkered and also shows far too much loyalty to some of the old guard.
For all Grealish’s critics….tonight shows exactly why he should be in the team….apart from the control he gives us….compare with Silvinho who can be very careless with the ball and left us vulnerable to the counter attack on numerous occasions…..come on Pep, try Jack in the middle when he comes back….he’s got to be better than the current options.
I think Akanji believes his own hype….watch him for the second goal….no effort to catch or keep up with the scorer….really lazy. He needs Dias next to him to keep his concentration. That score doesn’t happen with Ruben in the side.
We have definitely took our eye off the ball and have suddenly become and look like an aging team, especially where it matters most….the engine room (Midfield) ….probably not helped by having the most players at the Euros.
The midfield are as culpable as the defence for the current frailties and are far too easy to play through.
It’s unbelievable to think that we have a battle on our hands for top four this season….the last three results are a continuation of most of the previous games this season.
