Lenny

It's only done us a favour, let's face it

That got me too

Interesting lineup. At face value I worry about the centre of the pitch with only 2 there. Maybe Trippier and Hall invert dynamically to support and make a three with Gordon and Murphy dropping back?

Subjectively poor is fair and I would agree with your example. I think I would just challenge people's use of the word poor as an outright assessment, by highlighting some of the improvements I think he's shown, even on last year's brilliant season.

I think his end product hasn't been as good, but his all round play I feel has improved. He crafts space for himself so frequently to move into vacant space and start attacks. He often makes a lot of angled and clever passes, often on the offensive edge of the middle third that I feel is under appreciated. I'm just personally not seeing performances from him that fit the description of poor. Worse than last season is a reasonable assessment but he was superb last season.

He's moved up front, more often than not when we're changing our tactics to not attack, conserve energy and see out the game. Given that every time we've done it lately we've done exactly that, I can't say that I agree with you.

What do you think was poor about his game? I thought he had a good overall game, and certainly nothing to be worthy of labelling poor. Just to shamelessly repost an earlier one, as I feel it's pertinent to your view: I feel like Gordon is a touch underappreciated at times and seems often called out for average performances when I've found myself seeing a lot of positive stuff from him. I think his all round quality has improved quite a bit since last season insofar that he'll often make progressive passes and show good composure in his decision making. He also seems to always try to make something happen, particularly when in a deep position. He has a knack of doing a really simple stepover and reverse that more often than not takes him round and clear of his marker and opens the opposition up for us to break on.

I feel like Gordon is a touch underappreciated at times and seems often called out for average performances when I've found myself seeing a lot of positive stuff from him. I think his all round quality has improved quite a bit since last season insofar that he'll often make progressive passes and show good composure in his decision making. He also seems to always try to make something happen, particularly when in a deep position. He has a knack of doing a really simple stepover and reverse that more often than not takes him round and clear of his marker and opens the opposition up for us to break on.

Bit of a new favourite toy mentality, mind. Bruno has been absolutely sensational for 3 years. If Tonali is at that level for the same period of time, alongside Bruno, then things really are optimistic for us.

Can't we just have two things we equally adore?

I mean, it was an inflated price and a risk from Brighton, but he's 20. Maybe a touch early to be claiming the W on this one

Had an age to think on that chance and took it brilliantly.

A comprehensive, fairly easy win. I didn't particularly like how early we decided to close up, as it felt like we needlessly gave them an opportunity to build some confidence that a better team might have taken with both hands. Appreciate that we likely do tailor our approach to the opposition, mind.

The touch to get himself the space was fantastic, too.

Sorry but I entirely disagree. Frustrated is fine, embarrassed is ridiculous in any reasonable context.