12 Aug 2018 08:18:57
So far I am extatic. Baines looked like his old self now he has a bit pf quality on his side and a player who works hard getting back too. The 2 goals we conceded were mistakes. The 1st by Jags who I love but as I have been saying is getting slower and slower to react. The 2nd by Keane who was caught between 2 forwards. His inexperience and lack of leadership is apparent to me. He has a mouth and should be bossing that defence making sure he only had 1 forward to mark. I saw us concede too many goals like this last season. But Mina's height and hopefully his experience will sort those type of goals out. Holgate is looking more and more assured and like I previously said will probably feature more this season. Pickford was at fault for the 1st. No doubt about that too. But overall a great shot stopper. not sure why he moved to the right? Bad decision. Yes Jags is now past it I think. Baines can still go on but is likely to pick up niggles and at least we now have options in the squad with other players to come in.

1.) 12 Aug 2018
12 Aug 2018 10:49:27
degsyp, I normally agree with you and do so this time up to a point with Keane. The lad had two in the centre to mark correct, but looking at the play, our DM's really need to move left and right at times - admittedly Gueye does his job, but Schneiderlin (yes I know for all you that have a go at us for constantly having a go at the lad) really has to make a positive move instead of this one step forward - I am coming for you pretence - and two steps back. The bloke did make some break up play yesterday but with his experience, he really should be making a mark on the game. On the positive side, didn't think Silva could make a difference so early but that was an overall positive performance and a determined one at last.

2.) 12 Aug 2018
12 Aug 2018 12:11:06
Keane was not at fault for the second goal. The guy had all day to pick his pass from the edge of our box. Midfield should have been on his toes blocking the cross, not standing admiring it. Even young Holgate was having a go at them for standing off.

3.) 12 Aug 2018
12 Aug 2018 12:15:12
I haven't looked at it again DFS, but you may be right. It's just that I remember Keane doing the same a few times last season. At times he looks great, but he has a mouth and needs to learn to use it. This is what experience does. Players should be communicating with each other and if they have a man free in our box, it is 100% up to the center half (s) to talk to each other and make sure both forwards are marked. Maybe Baines should have been shouting to Keane that there was a man behind him? Either way I have seen Keane in that position a few times now where the ball goes over his head by 6 inches and there is a forward behind him ready to knock it in. Other than that he sometimes looks good. Its all about positional sense and opening your mouth to make sure all forwards are marked one on one. Re Holgate, I can see him playing with either Mina or Zouma this season. The lad looks great.

4.) 12 Aug 2018
12 Aug 2018 16:52:13
If you give a quality player time to pick his pass then he will. Had Keane gone to the back post then he would have played it to there man on the front post. Then you would have been blaming him for not marking him. Fact is the midfield at the moment are just not good enough. But hey let’s look to the future and not dwell in the past, as hopefully that is about to be addressed.

5.) 12 Aug 2018
12 Aug 2018 20:30:28
Woburn, the only thing I am saying is he should open his mouth.