On 23/10/2023 at 05:07, Bob stark said:

I think the by far the biggest factor why cucu looked better was Saka didn't look right. Maybe he was not fully match fit. 

No.

He’s been getting better and better this season after a terrible 12 months.

He was outstanding against Arsenal. He didn’t give Saka a second and contributed in attack.

Daft comment imo

Not just against Arsenal, he's been quality since coming back into the team. Weirdly, our form got much better at the same time too!

5 hours ago, Modueke said:

Not just against Arsenal, he's been quality since coming back into the team. Weirdly, our form got much better at the same time too!

I guess we could add height to our backline for Brentford and not drop Marc by replacing Gusto with Disasi.

Having Broja fit would be helpful as well.

14 hours ago, Modueke said:

Not just against Arsenal, he's been quality since coming back into the team. Weirdly, our form got much better at the same time too!

Won 4 drawn 1 with Cucurella starting !

Does he start Sat with Levi CB, or we revert? Tough one, and maybe a tactical decision we can now make based on opposition. 

On 27/10/2023 at 03:37, PhilH930 said:

Does he start Sat with Levi CB, or we revert? Tough one, and maybe a tactical decision we can now make based on opposition. 

Keep him playing in his position 

Play him in his position 

1 hour ago, Andy2461 said:

Play him in his position 

Or not, it appears!

Edit - he might still be left back with Disasi RB. We shall see!

Edited October 28, 20232 yr by PhilH930

Exploited today.  Needed more protection from Sterling, but they went after his side and specifically the byline of his side.  Should have resulted in two goals.  He did not mark the man nor close the ball - got stuck inbetween unfortunately.  I'd revert to Levi at LB and get James RB asap. 

2 minutes ago, PhilH930 said:

Exploited today.  Needed more protection from Sterling, but they went after his side and specifically the byline of his side.  Should have resulted in two goals.  He did not mark the man nor close the ball - got stuck inbetween unfortunately.  I'd revert to Levi at LB and get James RB asap. 

Yes Sterling wasn’t helping him I noticed that he wasn’t tracking bad and they were doubling up on him.

Special shoutout to Cucurella again. Worked his ass off and defended well. Not sure what Poch has done, but he's got Cucu playing with confidence again. 

Agreed, certainly proving a point and been like a new signing this season. 

All his mistakes many bang on about, are generally because somebody else didn't do their job properly, and he's overloaded. Whichever opponent he chooses to go with will be the wrong decision, he cannot win in that situation. He doesn't run around like a headless chicken, it's always with real purpose. to start with he was obviously over eager, but now has settled down, and is showing the ability we signed him for, and others were also interested in.

I think the club has always had faith in him. I don't think he'd have been allowed to take the #3 shirt if there hadn't been ... shirt numbers from 1-11 are still synonymous with "the starting XI" in my book ... granted Madueke looking increasingly like an exception LOL

23 minutes ago, Ajbod said:

All his mistakes many bang on about, are generally because somebody else didn't do their job properly, and he's overloaded. Whichever opponent he chooses to go with will be the wrong decision, he cannot win in that situation. He doesn't run around like a headless chicken, it's always with real purpose. to start with he was obviously over eager, but now has settled down, and is showing the ability we signed him for, and others were also interested in.

Agreed whatever he did would of gotten criticism for the bigger issue was why was he left 2v1 on multiple occasions 

Also remember our OWN FANS booed him last season when he had some issues outside of football absolutely shameful 

36 minutes ago, El regreso said:

Also remember our OWN FANS booed him last season when he had some issues outside of football absolutely shameful 

He was easily one of the worst players/signings last season, people have been hounded for far less 

4 hours ago, enigma said:

Special shoutout to Cucurella again. Worked his ass off and defended well. Not sure what Poch has done, but he's got Cucu playing with confidence again. 

I mentioned over the summer that Cucurella would probably be preferred at LB over Chilwell. Sure Chilwell is injured, but Cucurella in the first phase is superior in almost every regard than Chilwell. Works terrifically with our build up and it'll also allow players like Mudryk and Sterling to work with the space instead of having Chilwell taking that over. 

I have noticed Cucurella is now staying tighter with his marker, and the flat footedness is diminishing. Defending with composure now. The question is whether or not he can sustain this form vs the obligatory brain fart we see from him. 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I mentioned over the summer that Cucurella would probably be preferred at LB over Chilwell. Sure Chilwell is injured, but Cucurella in the first phase is superior in almost every regard than Chilwell. Works terrifically with our build up and it'll also allow players like Mudryk and Sterling to work with the space instead of having Chilwell taking that over. 

I have noticed Cucurella is now staying tighter with his marker, and the flat footedness is diminishing. Defending with composure now. The question is whether or not he can sustain this form vs the obligatory brain fart we see from him. 

That's been a big difference. Wore Saka like a glove, stuck to Foden as much as anyone ever can. 

I like how he seems to be more aggressive and gets stuck in. 

He deserves his spot.

Our problem is on set pieces.

9 man Spurs should have scored 2 against us, City got one, could gave had others.

Disasi and Silva, or just the CBS picked, is not enough it seems.

The side having all of Brana, Ballack, Lamps, JT, Drogba and more made such a difference.

Still think he is a bit reckless with the way he presses at times. In more desperate situations, he always lunges foward to make a tackle. One simple pass will take the entire left side out of the game if he doesn't make the tackle. He's definitely better this season, but I still don't think he will be answer long term, and if Chilwell can't get fit, he won't be either.

6 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

The side having all of Brana, Ballack, Lamps, JT, Drogba and more made such a difference.

Thought we conceded loads the 2010 season or i'm mistaken. Sometimes all it takes really is a good defensive/set piece coach. 

Our main problem is the stupid zonal marking at set pieces. Like having Caicedo marking Haaland, who has about a foot on him.

8 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Our main problem is the stupid zonal marking at set pieces. Like having Caicedo marking Haaland, who has about a foot on him.

Man City had at least 5 players really good in the air. We had 2. Put Disasi on Haaland and Silva on Diaz and we still get 3 issues