I think the Wrexham reactions are a bit over the top for a preseason friendly. I think the first half was far more indicative of what we can expect from the team. They all looked a bit rusty and not as sharp since it was the first preseason game, but I thought they played pretty well in the first half and did a very good job at controlling the game.
I think there were massive overreactions to the second half performance. I think a lot of the issues stemmed from Achempong looking completely uncomfortable playing RCB in this system because his inability to mark the correct runs inside him in transition made Fofana and Chilwell have to break shape to try and cover the space. But I don't put too much stock in that second half since half of the players that were playing will either start with the Dev Squad or be loaned out anyway.
I don’t buy into pre season results at all to be honest, the results mean nothing, minutes in the legs and a clean bill of health are most important for me.
This was purely squad related nothing to do with Wrexham
I wasn’t referring to this post, just some of the reactions in general. Most people when watching preseason should just look for players to get minutes, show at least some competency at the new system that’s being implemented, and no serious injuries. But some of the reactions I’ve seen on the Wrexham match are just way over the top.
I actually think it's a good thing that it didn't go perfectly. You won't learn much by thrashing a side two leagues below you, but if players are making mistakes or showing weaknesses in their game, it gives Maresca a clear idea of what to work on. Get the kinks out of the system now, and hopefully we'll have a strong start to the season when it actually matters.
Watched the Wrexham game back last night, Lavia is going to be such a game changer for us. So calm, moves the ball through lines/round corners with one touch passes with perfect weight, retains well in super tight spaces, really dogged in winning balls back ala Ngolo. Looked so sharp. Same for Fofana as well, he was steaming into tackles and breaking forward, looked really confident. Nkunku just glides across the pitch and if we can utilise him properly he can take the team up a level by himself.
Hi Legend another nice summation if Guiu continues to show promise don’t loan him out if I remember correctly he has come through Barcelona academy he might just be another Cole Palmer but in this case in the striker role.
Personally Disasi has to be sold, for me Badashiele needs a settled partnership but if the 2 go for the right replacement I wouldn’t shed tears.
I agree about Disasi, Badiashile is a player I really like but he is 4th choice centre back if everyone is fit. With Colwill, Fofana & Tosin ahead of him currently for me.
So much about goalkeeping is about perspective, people are saying that Petrovic wasn't up to it. Personally I thought he did brilliantly for a first season signing. Keepers coming from different leagues struggle to adapt to the Prem, think back to Gea, he was terrible in his first two seasons. Cech was poor coming for crosses in his first two seasons.
Petrovic's distribution was very good and he was confident with the ball at his feet, unlike Sanchez, when I was having kittens every time he had the ball. Yet people are saying that Petrovic's distribution was poor, which is drivel. I can only see him improving again this season and if he is our number 1 this season, that would be fine with me.
Completely agree about Petrovic, but Maresca's system is incredibly high resk and although Petrovic's distribution was good last year it is a whole other level to be able to play it the Maresca style. I am a HUGE Petrovic fan but I just think it is too risky to play this way with him in net, BUT I would rather sell/loan Sanchez than Petrovic.
Luke, Allison is looked at by many as the best keeper in the World with the ball at his feet, yet he makes a right horrix of it half a dozen times a season, with a couple of his mistakes a season leading to goals.
If you are going to play that way I don't think it matters who is between the posts, in that respect. Ederson is apparently leaving City, I think he would be a fantastic signing, but apparently he is Saudi bound. He has been one of the ten best long passers in the Prem in the past decade, it is perversely a joy to watch him spraying the ball around for fun.
As you said in the video, the main priority should actually be a keeper who is there on his keeping ability, not how good he is with the ball at his feet, but as we saw with Sanchez last season, it has now become a neccessary skill, Petrovic is more than competent in that respect.
For me I think there is a difference between a goalkeeper being good with their feet i.e. distribution and a goalkeeper being able to play a build up based system.
For example Allison's distribution may well be one of the best in the world, but he could not play Pep's system in my opinion whereas Ederson plays it with ease due to his passing ability, range and accuracy.
Completely agree, Ederson would be an incredible signing but I only see him leaving for the Saudi ££.
Being a goalkeeper and a good one has to be the first priority but because of how heavily Maresca relies on his goalkeeper to use their feet it has to be almost an equal ability to be able to play and goalkeep. Hermansen last year was part of the back 3 at times, he was that high up.
I'm really curious how they're going about finding targets in this sense. There must be a reason they're making this decision. If anything, I thought Petrovic was a little slow/sluggish, which might be a deciding factor if they feel he can't make himself available as well they'd like. Just hoping for the best with all these signings. We've been pleasantly surprised before.
I definitely think the gelling & camaraderie is more important than the results during pre season (as much as we want to win every game). Especially with new players & new coach. When everything changes at half time (except Carny - what’s that about?) it is bound to be disjointed. What will interest me is whether Maresca settles on certain players or combinations by end of pre season and we can survive without injuries.
I think the Wrexham reactions are a bit over the top for a preseason friendly. I think the first half was far more indicative of what we can expect from the team. They all looked a bit rusty and not as sharp since it was the first preseason game, but I thought they played pretty well in the first half and did a very good job at controlling the game.
I think there were massive overreactions to the second half performance. I think a lot of the issues stemmed from Achempong looking completely uncomfortable playing RCB in this system because his inability to mark the correct runs inside him in transition made Fofana and Chilwell have to break shape to try and cover the space. But I don't put too much stock in that second half since half of the players that were playing will either start with the Dev Squad or be loaned out anyway.
I don’t buy into pre season results at all to be honest, the results mean nothing, minutes in the legs and a clean bill of health are most important for me.
This was purely squad related nothing to do with Wrexham
I wasn’t referring to this post, just some of the reactions in general. Most people when watching preseason should just look for players to get minutes, show at least some competency at the new system that’s being implemented, and no serious injuries. But some of the reactions I’ve seen on the Wrexham match are just way over the top.
I actually think it's a good thing that it didn't go perfectly. You won't learn much by thrashing a side two leagues below you, but if players are making mistakes or showing weaknesses in their game, it gives Maresca a clear idea of what to work on. Get the kinks out of the system now, and hopefully we'll have a strong start to the season when it actually matters.
Watched the Wrexham game back last night, Lavia is going to be such a game changer for us. So calm, moves the ball through lines/round corners with one touch passes with perfect weight, retains well in super tight spaces, really dogged in winning balls back ala Ngolo. Looked so sharp. Same for Fofana as well, he was steaming into tackles and breaking forward, looked really confident. Nkunku just glides across the pitch and if we can utilise him properly he can take the team up a level by himself.
Hi Legend another nice summation if Guiu continues to show promise don’t loan him out if I remember correctly he has come through Barcelona academy he might just be another Cole Palmer but in this case in the striker role.
Personally Disasi has to be sold, for me Badashiele needs a settled partnership but if the 2 go for the right replacement I wouldn’t shed tears.
I agree about Disasi, Badiashile is a player I really like but he is 4th choice centre back if everyone is fit. With Colwill, Fofana & Tosin ahead of him currently for me.
Great article Luke.
Got to say , I agree with everything.
I'd say a fully fit James, Chilwell, Nkunku, Lavia & Forfana, would ALL be like new signings!
New Keeper, Proper Number 9 and not an unproven young player. Plus maybe a wide player, then we could challenge Top 4.
It all depends on that number 9!!
Ivan Toney!!
Thanks Darren, completely agree, fingers crossed.
So much about goalkeeping is about perspective, people are saying that Petrovic wasn't up to it. Personally I thought he did brilliantly for a first season signing. Keepers coming from different leagues struggle to adapt to the Prem, think back to Gea, he was terrible in his first two seasons. Cech was poor coming for crosses in his first two seasons.
Petrovic's distribution was very good and he was confident with the ball at his feet, unlike Sanchez, when I was having kittens every time he had the ball. Yet people are saying that Petrovic's distribution was poor, which is drivel. I can only see him improving again this season and if he is our number 1 this season, that would be fine with me.
Completely agree about Petrovic, but Maresca's system is incredibly high resk and although Petrovic's distribution was good last year it is a whole other level to be able to play it the Maresca style. I am a HUGE Petrovic fan but I just think it is too risky to play this way with him in net, BUT I would rather sell/loan Sanchez than Petrovic.
Luke, Allison is looked at by many as the best keeper in the World with the ball at his feet, yet he makes a right horrix of it half a dozen times a season, with a couple of his mistakes a season leading to goals.
If you are going to play that way I don't think it matters who is between the posts, in that respect. Ederson is apparently leaving City, I think he would be a fantastic signing, but apparently he is Saudi bound. He has been one of the ten best long passers in the Prem in the past decade, it is perversely a joy to watch him spraying the ball around for fun.
As you said in the video, the main priority should actually be a keeper who is there on his keeping ability, not how good he is with the ball at his feet, but as we saw with Sanchez last season, it has now become a neccessary skill, Petrovic is more than competent in that respect.
For me I think there is a difference between a goalkeeper being good with their feet i.e. distribution and a goalkeeper being able to play a build up based system.
For example Allison's distribution may well be one of the best in the world, but he could not play Pep's system in my opinion whereas Ederson plays it with ease due to his passing ability, range and accuracy.
Completely agree, Ederson would be an incredible signing but I only see him leaving for the Saudi ££.
Being a goalkeeper and a good one has to be the first priority but because of how heavily Maresca relies on his goalkeeper to use their feet it has to be almost an equal ability to be able to play and goalkeep. Hermansen last year was part of the back 3 at times, he was that high up.
I'm really curious how they're going about finding targets in this sense. There must be a reason they're making this decision. If anything, I thought Petrovic was a little slow/sluggish, which might be a deciding factor if they feel he can't make himself available as well they'd like. Just hoping for the best with all these signings. We've been pleasantly surprised before.
I definitely think the gelling & camaraderie is more important than the results during pre season (as much as we want to win every game). Especially with new players & new coach. When everything changes at half time (except Carny - what’s that about?) it is bound to be disjointed. What will interest me is whether Maresca settles on certain players or combinations by end of pre season and we can survive without injuries.