Poor first half. Good start to the second, then went a bit scrappy again, but we were better than them second half and did carry a threat.
Bajcetic showing he can play DM against a top side was the big plus for me. Milner was my MOTM, thought we lost something when he went off, although I understand why he did, on a yellow against Mudryk. Elliot struggled on the left for the first half hour, didn't want to take anybody on, just kept passing back. I thought we started to pick up from around the half hour mark when he finally had the nerve to carry the ball on the outside. Thiago is a frustrating player - high quality and has more energy right now than Fab or Hendo, but the 2 or 3 times he gives the ball away in our half every game, trying to play an optimistic pass, does my head in. He also lacks end product, for such a skilful player. Still he worked hard enough, and deserves to keep his place ahead of our other senior CMs. I thought Gakpo did ok. Mo continues to be off form, but got livelier in the second half. The defensive duo of Konate and Gomez had a very mixed game. Some good tackles and blocks, but also some poor decision making, and we looked soft in the air.
Overall, disappointing result, but I'm encouraged by the fact Jürgen does seem to be making some changes, especially Bajcetic as DM, and we do look like we are at least trying to address the problems we've had this season. We were more compact as a unit than we have been, and we showed bursts of good pressing, just obviously a bit low on confidence plus missing some players.
Logged
