First game of the season against a top 6 team – can we make it?
Manchester United, although in an existential crisis, have managed to win their last 3 games including against Liverpool. Erik Ten Hag seems to have found his playing XI who can play his aggressive pressing game and have motivated them enough to win games. Will it going to be easy for us to visit Old Trafford and grab a win? NO. Is it possible? Yes, of course.
We have our own winning streak running where we have managed 5 wins in as many games, some of which were hard fought. We have been brilliant in pressing, our new signings have improved our game by some margin and we have seen some brilliant individual performances by Odegaard, Jesus and Martinelli in attack.
We are oozing with confidence! Anyone complaining that it was against the bottom half teams should consider the fact that Liverpool dropped points against Palace, City against Villa and Liverpool again against Fulham, and we managed to beat all three of them. Premier league is a hard fought league and it doesn’t matter if you are the best team in the world if you are playing away from home against a motivated team. Anything can happen on a given day, we have avoided that till now.
Things that worries me are the injuries. Partey is out, who has been immense for us and his deputy in Elneny picked up an injury too. This leave us with a midfield of Sambi and Xhaka, it would be some challenge for a young Sambi to deliver Partey-esque level performance in the midfield.
Alex is out too, but we have a decent enough cover in Tierney at LB. He certainly improves our game overall, and our left side is lethal with him and Martinelli operating there. Tierney lacks that instinct but I believe he will do a decent job. Can he do without regular game time recently and coming after an injury? We will get to know today.
I’m sure it will be a physical game similar to Villa. Can we keep our composure and not give away an easy goal? Hopefully.
Both Ramsdale and Odegaard picked up injuries against Villa and will be accessed before the game today. This is a big blow, I’m not sure how much Matt Ryan can do what Ramsdale is doing in terms of distribution and playing from the back. I am also not sure ESR/Vieira can replicate Odegaard’s form?
But then, it’s a chance for whoever make it to playing XI to build their own legacy.
Right, that’s all for today. I am hoping for a narrow 0-1 win for us. Don’t forget to guess your playing XI and with how many goals we are winning today. See you in the comments.
Note – I have been trying to get LiR into Google News (hence the logo change at the top – apparently it’s mandatory). It’s a marathon, might take months to get into, with multiple changes to site’s layout and design to suit their criteria.
Regardless, I’m really grateful to your time at LiR and just wanted to appreciate your contributions on this small blog. Onwards and Upwards!
That will cool down Manures, now they know we can hit on counter and punish them. They were playing in our half and that too very aggressively.
Martinelli, Saka and Jesus are quite outstanding players. Particularly Martinelli who ManUre respect and wildly clear the ball before it reaches him.
Zinchenko and Martinelli link up well
Here’s a poll. Who is a bugger cunt – Kane or Fernandes?
Its a draw! And you need to add Mctominay into that as well.
A goal likely will come via Dalot who is iffy.
But new boy Antony seems goid
We have no central midfield – opposition teams just breeze through it.
Europa players seem to be next level. Like Halland whi is scoring for fun. So EPL is the farmer’s league?
Asking because England is blundering along in International competição
There’s going to be a red card in this – could go either way.
Without the lumbering cupboard Maguire, ManU defence is much less panicky. So de Gea too plays better
Arteta should change shape since apparently he does not believe in a backbone of central defence so crucial in Klop setup
Why Odegard is arguing with the ref?
Even I could see his tackle on Eriksen was a clear foul.
Hoopah
The issue isn’t the centre of defence it’s no midfield in front of them and getting Zinchenko to move into midfield to cover for Xhaka leaving space at L/B.
Too over – elaborate around their penalty area, not enough cover in midfield in transition. United are improved but still shite.
If we get our shots off earlier and maintain our energy, we can still win this.
Marc
Your points about our midfield flaws are spot-on. Partey a huge miss today.
I thought Ramsdale was off for their goal. He’s at the near post and should be diving to his right expecting a far post shot.
Kroenke
Take Xhaka out of that team today and put in say Declan Rice and tell me we aren’t a different proposition?
Also not sure White at RB really is an improvement over Tomi.
Big test of character for second half. Need to be more accurate and less risk averse around their box. I’d put ESR and Eddie Unket on after 60 minutes if there’s no breakthrough.
Marc
Now that’s an attractive proposition. Rice is a terrific player.
Thanks Marc
I had meant defensive midfield . Was typing without looking with eye on game
Ode had to bury that.
We’ve got 4 offensive players on the bench as Kroenke says if we’re not level terms by 60 odd minutes we need to use a minimum of 2 of them.
Has Arteta actually been told you can make 5 subs this season?