After a few hours of reflection, so not in an immediate post match strop, some home truths are required. Is Phil Foden the real deal ? can he single handlely turn around a piss poor performance ? It looks unlikely, he's just not a leader, at 23 family, house, finance sorted for a lifetime. Does he really care about that performance today? really ?. Rico, what a guy ! seems like a really lovely fella, but a Premier player who can turn around a game ?, sadly Rico is not at that level. Gundo was never meant to replace Rodri and looks a shadow of his former self. Those calling for academy players to be thrown in, you never do that in a struggling team, it can literally destroy them. We are only missing Dias and Rodri today from nailed on starters and we were destroyed by a far superior team. Those who called out not replacing Alvarez, not securing a Rodri backup and not resolving the LB 'curse' were bang on.
It's hard to take, what is the true cause ? who knows ? The fans will be the last to know, after the hacks, execs, players, staff etc etc etc..