Fuchs didn't press for his place back?

Thought Albrighton's passing was sublime, set 3 chances up at least which should have got a better return than the one goal.

Thanks Dunge - good to get the views of someone at the game. Good to see my man Fuchs back to his best - such a shame he doesn’t fit in to Puel’s style. Hopefully he can pass of some of his wisdom to Chillwell

Who do you think pressed for a first team start?

^ as in, of those you called out, which did enough to warrant a start on Saturday?

Nice one Dung i was expecting the usual suspects to say why wasn't it 10 v 0. Puel respected the competition and shows despite the poor opposition we have a squad in depth.
Question how about Fuch in a back three but will it be to slow?

comment by Nevsaysagoal2city (U5194)
posted 2 minutes ago
Nice one Dung i was expecting the usual suspects to say why wasn't it 10 v 0.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you ever have a day off?!

Mersey - The answer to that question depends a bit on context. If we were playing most sides in the league then probably Iborra or Silva. The former knows what he's doing to take control of a game while the latter adds energy to attack and looks for risky forward passes. However, in terms of playing Liverpool and given where they are right now, it may be unpopular but I think there's an argument for playing Okazaki instead of Maddison. Just because he is a completely different type of 10 that would take the fight to Liverpool, relieve the pressure by drawing fouls and link up play with his back to goal. Maddison could then replace him with 30 minutes to go when the game inevitably opens up a little. However, I don't think anyone who played a full game tonight will start at the weekend. There's a reason both Iheanacho and Morgan were hooked early.

Meanwhile, Albrighton showed typical Albrighton in many ways and remains an option. And while Fuchs was excellent, Chilwell's been probably our most consistent performer so far so I doubt his place is in jeopardy. As for Fuchs in a back 3, I've seen him play there a few times now but he's never looked comfortable to me.

Ok Dunge, that was a really measured response.

We’re in essence saying the same team then aren’t we.

Do you know what though - I think Puel might spring Gray on us at centre forward on Saturday.

He keeps trying it and Nacho isn’t looking comfortable there right now.

I agree on Okazaki but without Vardy I’m not sure the need is so great. It would be nice to see if he help Ian though!!!

Nev, no doubt about last night. Credit to Puel and our recruitment in the summer which really demonstrates the strength in depth. I now want to see the same strength in the first 11 please.

Mersey - He is keen to try Gray up front but I've never felt it particularly works with him there despite him having a decent outing last night. I never feel he understands the position well enough. Perhaps that would improve with training.

Iheanacho is undoubtedly a frustrating player and, as I've said many times before - erratic and unpredictable. But I always feels he knows where the goal is when he does get a chance. With Vardy out, I'd be reluctant to try anything other than giving Iheanacho his opportunity for the full 90 unless something remarkable happens.

“I now want to see the same strength in the first 11 please.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think that’s a very good point.

For a few seasons now our second team players have been average to poor. We haven’t had much depth. Now, through recruitment and some of our younger players coming through, our reserves look quite strong. That’s all positive.

I suppose the negative might be: has our first choice eleven really been strengthened and do we even know what this is?

The midfield last night: Albrighton, Iborra, Silva and Ghezzal. Is that better or worse than: Pereira, N’didi, Mendy and Gray?
Chilwell has started well, but Fuchs was MOTM in this game.
Are Maguire and Evans better than Maguire and Morgan – where will Benkovic and Soyuncu fit into this?
Have we improved our RB position if Amartey is starting there instead of Simpson?

Clearly the decision has been made to jettison King, Simpson and Benalouane. The only one I have a problem with there is Simpson. If Pereira is going to start on the right wing then there is no back up for Amartey so, irrespective of what you think of Amartey starting there (and I’m more inclined towards Blackstarr on this) – we still need a new Right Back or, alternatively, a better option at RW than Pereira.

“I'd be reluctant to try anything other than giving Iheanacho his opportunity for the full 90 unless something remarkable happens.”
------------------------------------------------------
My mind has immediately started to speculate as to what the “something remarkable” might be:

Gray suddenly understands the position overnight and looks like a proper centre forward instead of a converted winger? Okazaki stays on his feet long enough in training to convince he can hold the ball up and play as a lone CF. Benalouane is suddenly a revelation up front and becomes the new Walsh/Elliott? Andy King is a revelation as a false 9 and becomes the key ingredient that changes Puel’s passing game into a Barcelona-esque thing of beauty?

I look at last night as we did not need to rely on our under 23/21 squad to cover our premier league squad and any that make first team appearances will do it on merit.
Also game time for players either needing it or lacking confidence.
It's a nice problem to have and something most top premier clubs and their managers have to do.

Can i see any changes from last weeks line not sure myself.

Joby - I'm taking "something remarkable" to mean that we're actually winning with 10 minutes to go.

comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 58 seconds ago
Joby - I'm taking "something remarkable" to mean that we're actually winning with 10 minutes to go.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh!

Sorry.

If it's any consolation, it could also mean that a sasquatch has invaded the pitch and kicked Iheanacho in the shins.

^
have we drawn Millwall in the next round?

Here’s a question. Could Maddison play alongside Ndidi as a box to box midfielder removing the need for us to debate who out of Silva, Iborra and Mendy isn’t quite good enough?

I feel that Ndidi is stillbeing let down by his sidekick in this formation.

Would also create space for King to come in in his rightful role to play as the false 9.

Not for me, Mersey. Another square peg in a round hole. Maddison's been bought for the number 10 role, or at least attacking midfield. Aside from his passing, I don't see anything from him that makes me think he'd be good in that position, and he'd more likely be overrun and often caught out of position defensively. I think if you want a better central/defensive midfielder then you scout and buy a central/defensive midfielder.

Play Oki and Maddison just behind the centre forward.

Really give the opposition something to worry about.

comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 7 hours, 8 minutes ago
Sorry.

If it's any consolation, it could also mean that a sasquatch has invaded the pitch and kicked Iheanacho in the shins.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not a chance, he'd have to have crippled Salah, not Ian.

Probably Van Dijk, Alison, Firmino and Mané too for that matter!

Not arguing about much Dunge, Fuchs certainly showed he should be starting, were it not for bringing on Chilwell.

Probably agree on Maddison Dunge. Think I’m just frustrated that Silva and Iborra look class on paper but don’t seem to be making that role next to Ndidi their own.

Iborra seems to get the best out of him for me. I can’t help but feel Mendy is playing because Puel likes him rather than him being the best of those 3.