07 Aug 2019 19:21:54
Evening eds1
Just wondering if there was a match review from Sunday’s game. Not sure if I’ve missed it somewhere?

{Ed001's Note - no mate, I didn't do a review, it was a friendly match. There should hopefully be a podcast recorded later with Ed0333 and we will touch on it there.}


1.) 07 Aug 2019
07 Aug 2019 20:27:08
Excellent 👌🏻.


2.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 02:03:05
Here’s the my version

- Man City looked very dangerous from the start, creating dangerous positions mostly through diagonal long balls targeting in behind TAA, and looking to make runs in behind, attacking the space between VVD and Robbo
- We sorted out the defensive issues as we approached half time however and slowly got a grip on the game
- Our midfield was industrious but didn’t look terribly dangerous, however Firmino was linking play well and Salah was on fire apart from the finishing. by the end of the game he’d had more shots than the whole of the Man City team and could easily have scored 2 or 3
- It was noteworthy the subs worked well with Matip fitting in well (Gomez pushed to RB), Keita adding a more direct threat carrying the ball from midfield (and should have scored near the end) and Lallana and Shaqiri also looking lively
- Origi and Ox were OK but a little anonymous for me, showing Manè could be key to our season again
- The equalizing goal was well deserved given all the pressure we created in the second half, and while they could/ should have scored on the break through Sterling who fluffed his lines, it was a deserved draw or arguably should have been a 2-1 finish or even 3-2 if all the good chances had been taken on both sides. identified some area for improvement but also a very good marker for where we are

I think the biggest challenges we’ll have this season will be solving
- what happens if Trent and Robbo don’t play as well this season? We look light on attacking fullback options if they go off the boil and we rely heavily on them to create attacking width while still being defensively sound. tough jobs
- what if our midfield is a bit sterile on attack, particularly if we use Hendo/ Gini/ Milner, none of whom are prolific? I’m hoping the return of Ox and Keita’s season allows us to mix it up a bit more in games where a bit more attacking intent is needed to break the deadlock
- we are still clearly going to be very dependant on our front three remaining fit. Shaqiri is probably our best backup plan out wide and hoping Origi/ Brewster can do it for us upfront, but there’s a slight question mark over all three so that’ll be a point of discussion at some point this season I’m sure. I would love to have seen us bring in a proper wide attacker in the style of Manè to strengthen our rotation options but hey ho

Penalty shoot out was what it was, all scored except for Gini who took a softish (but not terrible) penalty where the GK picked the right way.

Overall really good final work out and hopefully watching them lift the shield we at least deserved to share fires the team up to take City (or other) all the way in the one that matters.


3.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 02:48:43
Excellent summary that SGRed.


4.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 06:13:16
Enjoyed reading that SG.


5.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 07:35:49
I would agree with most of that Sg. My worry is the high line that we play. No one seem to watch or react for players running from deep. I think it was the west ham game last season we got court out with a free kick in the same way.


6.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 08:07:55
Agree Longthing, I’m pretty sure it was just rustiness though, the team figured it out second half and we were pretty solid in that area last season.

I can potentially see Klopp using the Matip/ Gomez combo more often this season when wanting to lock down the right side though, particularly in more finely balanced games against the better sides, and then relying on Keita/ Ox providing more attacking threat through the middle rather than using the FBs to bomb on. It was clear City was targeting in behind our FBs knowing they’re one of our big attacking threats.

Of all the transfers so far I’m most jealous of Moise Keane (to rotate with Manè/ Salah) or Sessegnon (to cover both LB and LW), and both at 25mln or so wouldn’t have broken the bank.


7.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 08:38:28
SG, Excellent Read.


8.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 09:17:50
great read disagree with Ox who from my seat at the game looked back to the player who was full of energy and trying to make things happen
most worrying thing for me was trent and the balls over his head time and time again and of course salah and his greediness.


9.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 10:36:07
Agree with all the above except the Gini penalty which was dreadful. Comfortable height, placement and position for the keeper, great if you score but you look a fool if you miss. Take your pens like the Ox, don't leave it to chance.


10.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 12:53:41
Good read that sg.

I would say honestly city did not look at full fitness at all and look laboured when we started taking the game to them.

I have a feeling / hope that city might start slow this season if that match is anything to go by.

They still clearly have quality and in their moments created great chances but if a team remains tight and has a good game v them early on I think they will drop points. Again hopefully!


11.) 08 Aug 2019
08 Aug 2019 22:51:42
I'm hoping this season will at least have a different winner than city. We could challenge but it would just be nice being a bit different.

I still feel we dropped some valuable points last season, especially after city lost to Newcastle, we should have been able to get over the finish line. So i'm hoping we go again!