Thought he had a good game today and vindicated the decision to recall him to the starting XI. 

2 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Thought he had a good game today and vindicated the decision to recall him to the starting XI. 

Best he's played for probably 3 months.

Yeah he played well today gets caught out with his lack of pace at times but defensively is better than Emerson imo.

His best performance in months

1 hour ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Thought he had a good game today and vindicated the decision to recall him to the starting XI. 

Agreed. He played well. I was surprised to see Emerson have such a poor game vs Bournemouth, his positioning was pretty poor in that game. Alonso needs to have more games like today. 

I actually thought he wasn't great got twisted inside out on many occasions by the Huddersfield winger and again his pace

Huddersfield’s game plan seemed to be counter attack through Diakhaby down our left where 9/10 Alonso wasn’t there to defend against him or he breezed past him no problem. 

Defensively, I think our whole left side is an issue. When Alonso is positioned as a winger, and Barkley is hanging around the penalty area, one quick pass and the opposing RW is through against an exposed Luiz. 

I think tactically, this system is very tough for any LB. If we insist on playing this way, I think we need a world-class LB to really make this position work. Someone who has acceleration, pace, can put in a good cross and defensively sound 1v1. 

I know Sarri likes his LB wide and high up the pitch, to allow Hazard to cut in and play more of a floating role, but to compensate, maybe have our LCM needs to hang back a little more to provide a bit more cover? Or maybe drop Jorginho in between the CBs once we lose possession so that Luiz can push out wide a little more?

I actually think Alonso and Barkley did fairly well on the left side last game.  But even then, there were some very nervy moments with Diakhaby on the counter attack that better teams/wingers would've taken advantage of

That's my complete armchair tactician assessment of the situation. But either way, if we don't solve this, be prepared to concede more RW cut-back goals this season, no matter who is playing at LB.  

14 hours ago, dustbin719 said:

 

I know Sarri likes his LB wide and high up the pitch, to allow Hazard to cut in and play more of a floating role,

True, and one of the issues for me is that all too often Alonso, when receiving the ball, goes inside (or backwards) - crowding out the space for Hazard to cut in to.  As such, its so obvious for the opposition to deal with him - they know he very rarely tries to go past a man by the sideline, and so don't need to commit men there defensively - again, clogging up the middle of the pitch.

 

We need a proper attacking left back with pace and dribbling abilities who can take players on and increase the width of play.

10 minutes ago, dembabarahman said:

We need a proper attacking left back with pace and dribbling abilities who can take players on and increase the width of play.

If only Conte had got his man...

Liability. 

Poor again today, imagine we'll be heading into the market for a new LB in summer.

Apathetically abysmal today

10 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Poor again today, imagine we'll be heading into the market for a new LB in summer.

No need. We've already got one on a contract until 2023!

He was never a great defender and was always too slow/lacked energy to bomb up and down the pitch. He only works in 3-4-3 with plenty of cover, same for Moses.

Watch what he does after the first goal seriously watch his reaction.

He's definitely not good enough in a back four, but I wonder if he's also got just-signed-last-contract-of-career-itis? Doesn't make much sense that we don't want to give over 30s multi-year contracts but would give a 28 year old a five year one.

His high wages probably mean there is very little chance we'd be able to offload him so I think he's here until the end of his contract.

2 hours ago, Brutos said:

Watch what he does after the first goal seriously watch his reaction.

I’m so glad I’m not the only one that noticed this.

Didnt care whatsoever, bloke is a prick.

Didn't seem arsed when he let Aguero miss that sitter at the back post either.

I’m so glad I’m not the only one that noticed this.
Didnt care whatsoever, bloke is a prick.

That said everything for me all the other players reacted with dispair he just walked off like nothing happen

I told you guys he'd be a complete liability for us this season.
Shame the club couldn't see it and instead handed him a huge five-year contract. Try wrapping your head around that decision.

No DOF and not one single football-person at board level is what gets you decisions like that.

Edited February 11, 20197 yr by Sindre

I’ve always been a fan of Alonso, but yesterday has completely changed it for me - The arsehole did not give a sh*t. Didn’t care when city scored first goal, fully knowing it was all his fault. Seconds later, somehow he doesn’t see Aguero when he missed the tap in.

When you’re defending against City, who do you keep your eye out for? Aguero. Jeez.

If Alonso was a ship it would be the titanic, and right about now he's 45 degrees.

Pretty sure he's one that Sarri couldn't motivate, already won the title and FA cup, first name on the team sheet regardless, just signed a new 5 years deal, and  known more for his occasional goals than his defending. First minute in the game, completely switched off and didn't bother to chase, should have been subbed after 10 minutes, would have been a nice wake up call to the other 10 on the field.