ninjamonkey
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 5 Jun 2009
- Messages
- 18,745
I think we all expected a tired performance after the last week so we can't be too critical of that. first 15 minutes we looked vibrant and dangerous, only a combination of wayward final balls and terrible finishing stopped us ending the game after 20 minutes.
After that, West ham plugged the gap on the left sacrificing space on the right but Mahrez was woeful once more against a young debutant as well which made it easy for west ham to defend. Thought it was a bit weird pep didnt give sterling on the right and Sane on the left longer than 2/3 minutes as Sane was bright first half and only faded when they realised all our threat was down the left, we instantly looked more dangerous with two wide options but then bernardo came on and within minutes did more than Mahrez did all night and won the penalty and generally looked a huge threat everytime he got on the ball.
Struggled to get out last 20 minutes as we visibly tired so credit the players for managing the game and seeing it out, helped to have our captain on the pitch, great to see him call for more from both the players and the fans.
Zinchenko continues to look more comfortable in the side however he does need to learn to spot that diagonal to the back post, almost cost us but for a superb Ederson save.
Special shout out to Danilo who was superb throughout, that's how you show you deserve to play when you're on the periphery, for me he deserves a continued run in the side, looked better than Walker this season everytime he's given a game, can only imagine he would look better still given a prolonged run. And with the return of Mendy we might see the wing back option come in to play, particularly whilst we are without dinho.
After that, West ham plugged the gap on the left sacrificing space on the right but Mahrez was woeful once more against a young debutant as well which made it easy for west ham to defend. Thought it was a bit weird pep didnt give sterling on the right and Sane on the left longer than 2/3 minutes as Sane was bright first half and only faded when they realised all our threat was down the left, we instantly looked more dangerous with two wide options but then bernardo came on and within minutes did more than Mahrez did all night and won the penalty and generally looked a huge threat everytime he got on the ball.
Struggled to get out last 20 minutes as we visibly tired so credit the players for managing the game and seeing it out, helped to have our captain on the pitch, great to see him call for more from both the players and the fans.
Zinchenko continues to look more comfortable in the side however he does need to learn to spot that diagonal to the back post, almost cost us but for a superb Ederson save.
Special shout out to Danilo who was superb throughout, that's how you show you deserve to play when you're on the periphery, for me he deserves a continued run in the side, looked better than Walker this season everytime he's given a game, can only imagine he would look better still given a prolonged run. And with the return of Mendy we might see the wing back option come in to play, particularly whilst we are without dinho.