Whether or not he should have started, I found it odd not to bring Muniz on for the last 10 when Sunderland were so deep and our main play seemed to be crossing it in to the box.
Good write up overall. And I agree, Iwobi is better suited for a central role, but at this point Palacios is not quite ready to be a starter, and with Kevin offering nothing, the suggestion for Iwobi to return to left wing seems correct.
Also as you and several others have mentioned, mind boggling they moved Diop out without a replacement ready to come in as Andersen clearly cannot be relied on in this system.
A few small nits to pick:
First I didn't see any of the high line/pressing intensity we had against Chelsea, so I'm not sure I would say that Sunderland matched our energy so much as I would say we did not bring energy.
Leno - I think the decision to come out and try to stop the cross was absolutely correct. The only way that ball does not end up in the net is if the cross is cut out. Unfortunately, Leno was too slow and missed terribly in his effort to do so.
Bassey - I think the fault was entirely with Andersen being too slow to play Diarra offside. I don't fault Bassey in the slightest for the goal.
We really should have signed defenders before we let Diop go and we also should have been looking to sign a top goalkeeper things aren’t looking good with the transfer window closing tomorrow .
I get what you are saying about Arbeloa, Dan, but the fact is we are not the sort of club who can afford the luxury of the managerial risks you are saying we should accept. Combine this with our chaotic / negligent / naive recruitment approach, and remembering we are a 'small' PL club, and it points towards disaster for me. I'm actually envying Brentford atm, and that is simply a horrible and unnacceptable position to be in. I'm not sure we will have time for manager and players to find their feet and I think your optimism is misplaced. We are going to be in a big relegation battle unless PL ready, game changing signings come through the door in the next few hours.
I totally hear that. Look, I’ve been an Arbeloa cynic from when it was announced. It felt like an unnecessary risk, with limited evidence that it was a risk worth taking.
However, now that we have him, the only way you unlock the potential upside, is by him failing and learning. Whether you accept that or not, that is the only trajectory that we can be on. He’s not an experienced manager, so there will be times where we suffer as a result. Do I like it? Not massively. But it’s where we are.
I think we have enough quality to be fine regardless, the jury is just very much out for me as to whether Arbeloa is the guy the hierarchy think he is
Agree with this measured assessment. What I fear is that Arbeloa's 'boys' are getting preferential treatment - a la Silva - and he just cannot be objective. Palacios is 18 for goodness sake, more 'one for the future' than one for right now! He shouldn't be starting over Smith-Rowe. And, arguably Muniz should have started against big burly CBs if lumping the ball long was going to be a tactic!
Smith-Rowe must piss off the coaches in practice. I feel like neither Silva nor Arbeloa care for his game, yet every time he’s in there he seems to be creating chances.
not that I disagree with any of your sentiments, but Palacios is 21, so in theory a little further along. But he still looks miles off the pace right now.
The Muniz snub really surprised me. He had just scored and we needed a goal. Muniz is a much better target for aerial crosses. In fact, I think you're right that he should have started because his hold up play is far superior.
I guess the counter argument is, a good way to teach GG how to play against these types of players is throw him into it, sink or swim etc.
I thought before the game that Muniz and Smith-Rowe should start in place of our new Spaniards. The new boys need time to adjust, Sunderland are a tough physical team and we needed to match them. So far I will be happy to avoid relegation this season. We never looked like scoring and were lucky to get away with just one goal. We really need at least three new quality players by the deadline hopefully not last minute panic buys.
I think we were watching a completely different match or your ratings are largely best on what you thought the end result would be vs what it ended up being, and not how the players actually played. Could they have played better? Absolutely, but your ratings are ridiculously low.
With 9 Silva players starting in the lineup, I wasn't surprised the team went back to the way our former boss allowed them to play.
No effort, no running and zero commitment.
I agree with Arbeloa's comments after the game. However, how can he expect a group of players that have had an easy ride in terms of energy used to suddenly become olympic athletes?
We were second best in every department yesterday and it was no surprise that we couldn't muster a single shot on target.
Sunderland were a bigger, stronger and fitter team and we have never replaced Mitrovic in the main striker role. Until this is addressed together with a more mobile and stronger CB than Anderson and a replacement keeper, I believe we will struggle this season.
Generally I agree with you but I have to push back on the idea we have not replaced Mitro. I think García looks like a great signing. Just has a completely different profile from Mitro. Consider the goal against AFC Wimbledon last week. Mitro would never have made that run and finish. Just a different type of player.
I believe Garcia will be a very good signing, but to be honest the great goal he scored midweek was against Wimbledon. He never really got a look in at Sunderland. We need a proven striker that can worry defences.
Agreed. Wimbledon is not the measuring stick for whether his signing is a success. I am just pushing back on the idea that because Garcia is not dominating aerial duels like Mitrovic did, it means he cannot be an equally good striker. I know that’s not what you wrote but I’ve seen it in other forums many times among people complaining we need a “proven striker”.
It is not OK! The next home match has already become a vital 3 points, or we shall be doomed by November. I don't like what I am seeing. We should have never sold Lukic and Diop on the cheap, to a relegation rival! Palacios is miles away from being a premier league player, the gaffer somewhat admitted to it but still shows he is one of his favourite pupils and stubbornly start him again. I bet that by November the manager will be gone and his replacement won't have much options at his disposal to change course. It looks like Parker at the helm again, and I m literally scared! Oh for Silva's steady mid-table years...
Anderson played well and probably deserves a pass for the last quarter for not being in game shape yet. If he doesn’t fit the system, go crazy and put Berge or Iwobi back there. Palacios is not good and Arbeloa seems to only be playing him because he’s one of his guys. Smith-Rowe should be starting.
Whether or not he should have started, I found it odd not to bring Muniz on for the last 10 when Sunderland were so deep and our main play seemed to be crossing it in to the box.
Muniz should have been brought in by the 65th minute or so. Then not to come in at all, unbelievable!
Good write up overall. And I agree, Iwobi is better suited for a central role, but at this point Palacios is not quite ready to be a starter, and with Kevin offering nothing, the suggestion for Iwobi to return to left wing seems correct.
Also as you and several others have mentioned, mind boggling they moved Diop out without a replacement ready to come in as Andersen clearly cannot be relied on in this system.
A few small nits to pick:
First I didn't see any of the high line/pressing intensity we had against Chelsea, so I'm not sure I would say that Sunderland matched our energy so much as I would say we did not bring energy.
Leno - I think the decision to come out and try to stop the cross was absolutely correct. The only way that ball does not end up in the net is if the cross is cut out. Unfortunately, Leno was too slow and missed terribly in his effort to do so.
Bassey - I think the fault was entirely with Andersen being too slow to play Diarra offside. I don't fault Bassey in the slightest for the goal.
How long will it be before the high line is abandoned for survival mode?
I think Arbeloa will be stubborn and he'll probably need to be sacked if it comes to it.
We really should have signed defenders before we let Diop go and we also should have been looking to sign a top goalkeeper things aren’t looking good with the transfer window closing tomorrow .
I get what you are saying about Arbeloa, Dan, but the fact is we are not the sort of club who can afford the luxury of the managerial risks you are saying we should accept. Combine this with our chaotic / negligent / naive recruitment approach, and remembering we are a 'small' PL club, and it points towards disaster for me. I'm actually envying Brentford atm, and that is simply a horrible and unnacceptable position to be in. I'm not sure we will have time for manager and players to find their feet and I think your optimism is misplaced. We are going to be in a big relegation battle unless PL ready, game changing signings come through the door in the next few hours.
I totally hear that. Look, I’ve been an Arbeloa cynic from when it was announced. It felt like an unnecessary risk, with limited evidence that it was a risk worth taking.
However, now that we have him, the only way you unlock the potential upside, is by him failing and learning. Whether you accept that or not, that is the only trajectory that we can be on. He’s not an experienced manager, so there will be times where we suffer as a result. Do I like it? Not massively. But it’s where we are.
I think we have enough quality to be fine regardless, the jury is just very much out for me as to whether Arbeloa is the guy the hierarchy think he is
Agree with this measured assessment. What I fear is that Arbeloa's 'boys' are getting preferential treatment - a la Silva - and he just cannot be objective. Palacios is 18 for goodness sake, more 'one for the future' than one for right now! He shouldn't be starting over Smith-Rowe. And, arguably Muniz should have started against big burly CBs if lumping the ball long was going to be a tactic!
Smith-Rowe must piss off the coaches in practice. I feel like neither Silva nor Arbeloa care for his game, yet every time he’s in there he seems to be creating chances.
Totally agree!
not that I disagree with any of your sentiments, but Palacios is 21, so in theory a little further along. But he still looks miles off the pace right now.
The Muniz snub really surprised me. He had just scored and we needed a goal. Muniz is a much better target for aerial crosses. In fact, I think you're right that he should have started because his hold up play is far superior.
I guess the counter argument is, a good way to teach GG how to play against these types of players is throw him into it, sink or swim etc.
I thought before the game that Muniz and Smith-Rowe should start in place of our new Spaniards. The new boys need time to adjust, Sunderland are a tough physical team and we needed to match them. So far I will be happy to avoid relegation this season. We never looked like scoring and were lucky to get away with just one goal. We really need at least three new quality players by the deadline hopefully not last minute panic buys.
I think we were watching a completely different match or your ratings are largely best on what you thought the end result would be vs what it ended up being, and not how the players actually played. Could they have played better? Absolutely, but your ratings are ridiculously low.
With 9 Silva players starting in the lineup, I wasn't surprised the team went back to the way our former boss allowed them to play.
No effort, no running and zero commitment.
I agree with Arbeloa's comments after the game. However, how can he expect a group of players that have had an easy ride in terms of energy used to suddenly become olympic athletes?
We were second best in every department yesterday and it was no surprise that we couldn't muster a single shot on target.
Sunderland were a bigger, stronger and fitter team and we have never replaced Mitrovic in the main striker role. Until this is addressed together with a more mobile and stronger CB than Anderson and a replacement keeper, I believe we will struggle this season.
COYW
Generally I agree with you but I have to push back on the idea we have not replaced Mitro. I think García looks like a great signing. Just has a completely different profile from Mitro. Consider the goal against AFC Wimbledon last week. Mitro would never have made that run and finish. Just a different type of player.
I believe Garcia will be a very good signing, but to be honest the great goal he scored midweek was against Wimbledon. He never really got a look in at Sunderland. We need a proven striker that can worry defences.
Agreed. Wimbledon is not the measuring stick for whether his signing is a success. I am just pushing back on the idea that because Garcia is not dominating aerial duels like Mitrovic did, it means he cannot be an equally good striker. I know that’s not what you wrote but I’ve seen it in other forums many times among people complaining we need a “proven striker”.
I just hope you're right. Only time will tell. We do need to get some points on the board soon as the next three league games are going to be tough.
On this managerial performance, Arbeloa is way out of his league.
It is not OK! The next home match has already become a vital 3 points, or we shall be doomed by November. I don't like what I am seeing. We should have never sold Lukic and Diop on the cheap, to a relegation rival! Palacios is miles away from being a premier league player, the gaffer somewhat admitted to it but still shows he is one of his favourite pupils and stubbornly start him again. I bet that by November the manager will be gone and his replacement won't have much options at his disposal to change course. It looks like Parker at the helm again, and I m literally scared! Oh for Silva's steady mid-table years...
Anderson played well and probably deserves a pass for the last quarter for not being in game shape yet. If he doesn’t fit the system, go crazy and put Berge or Iwobi back there. Palacios is not good and Arbeloa seems to only be playing him because he’s one of his guys. Smith-Rowe should be starting.