Solitude20

He has improved by leaps and bounds since last season. Credit goes to Howe as well in how he has improved his game.

Joe is a beast.

Our midfield still offers no defensive cover whatsoever.

Olise looks bad in this match, has he been like this all season?

Fucking love Hall.

I think Gordon tried to score, that header was so bad

Well done, Tonali.

That was a shitty pen.

Murphy

Now, clearly the 4-3-3 isn’t working. Howe has tried 4-4-2, 3-4-3, and 3-5-2. We played well in the few times we tried 4-4-2 including last game. Teams tend to shy away from this formation as the midfield can easily be overrun when facing a midfield of 3, and that’s true. However, if your forwards defend and press a lot and your 2 midfielders have the needed physicality for it, then it would be a great formation just like what Atleti has shown. It could be physically demanding in order to maintain shape and prevent your midfield from getting overrun. It’s after all Eddie’s favorite formation back in the Bournemouth days. 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 would also work with our play style, but I don’t think we impressed in the few times we tried them. What is clear as day is that our 4-3-3 hasn’t worked for a while now, and I am confident Eddie would figure it out.

That’s exactly what Gordon used to do last season. Not sure about the current Gordon.

We aren’t even creating decent chances. Time to go all in and try 4-4-2?

Gordon is not okay.

We have been playing long ball all game.

A few seconds before the goal, they literally walked down the center of the pitch unchallenged as Bruno was still coming back. We have received so many goals in a similar way.

Real Madrid tried that with Mbappe and Vinicius, it was really bad.

Today’s match was a reminder of how a good keeper can make a huge difference. Had Pope been available last season, we would be in Europa League this season for sure.

Even as a squad player, I would choose Miley over him. Miley has an excellent potential and he won’t reach it without a proper playing time.

Save of the season.

Murphy killed that counter attack. He should’ve passed to Gordon sooner.

Even if he doesn’t start, he has consistently been making the difference. His goal today reminds me of his screamer against West Ham last season when we won 4-3.

Woooow, just like against West Ham last season.

What’s Mitchell thinking?

Willock seems tired already.

Eddie was scared to use Tonali even after Spalletti showed him it was fine.