Roberto De Zerbi *OFFICIAL*

[Finney Is Back]

Im not knocking the bloke or trying to create a non story, but he looks like he has lost some oomph about him. Maybe thats just me, but not seeing much of this fiery spark I saw last year.

Early days still, but hope to see something sooner rather than later

I thought we were the better team this evening, we just didn’t take our chances. I thought our football was good to watch though and we didn’t deserve to lose. I like the passing patterns and the number of forward central passes that we play. I think we’re improving and the results will come soon.

 

[Finney Is Back]

but the brilliant new executive team had such a good summer not making all of those Levy like mistakes...

They did indeed. Good to see you finally admitting it.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

I thought we were the better team this evening, we just didn’t take our chances. I thought our football was good to watch though and we didn’t deserve to lose. I like the passing patterns and the number of forward central passes that we play. I think we’re improving and the results will come soon.

We missed two literal tap ins with Kudus and Bergval and lost to a worldly, another excellent finish outside the box, and what I can generously describe as loose defending by Gray to allow Gakpo all the time on his stronger foot to pick out a finish.

All to say, I think if you watch this game and don’t see progress, you are never going to see it. I thought it was really clear. Liverpool were good too, they press high, they had a home crowd behind them and were up for it, and forced us into some errors. Thomas Frank always spoke of ‘adding layers’ and we never ever saw it, but we saw it tonight.

It seems like we’ve really worked on defensive solidity first, with the expectation that the possession game would come. Against Everton after the first 20 mins I didn’t think we looked cohesive, but tonight I thought we did. We created excellent chances. We looked like we had a plan. There are still some moments where I see a player making a great run and I feel like our guy with the ball either doesn’t see it or chickens out of making the pass, and I think that needs sorting. But by and large this was very much progress. We’re getting there.

 

[demotw]

We missed two literal tap ins with Kudus and Bergval and lost to a worldly, another excellent finish outside the box, and what I can generously describe as loose defending by Gray to allow Gakpo all the time on his stronger foot to pick out a finish.

All to say, I think if you watch this game and don’t see progress, you are never going to see it. I thought it was really clear. Liverpool were good too, they press high, they had a home crowd behind them and were up for it, and forced us into some errors. Thomas Frank always spoke of ‘adding layers’ and we never ever saw it, but we saw it tonight.

It seems like we’ve really worked on defensive solidity first, with the expectation that the possession game would come. Against Everton after the first 20 mins I didn’t think we looked cohesive, but tonight I thought we did. We created excellent chances. We looked like we had a plan. There are still some moments where I see a player making a great run and I feel like our guy with the ball either doesn’t see it or chickens out of making the pass, and I think that needs sorting. But by and large this was very much progress. We’re getting there.

Every game has had progress, and I think this is where it differs to Frank's time. We missed a trick not signing an out and out striker, and clearly managing player minutes - while important considering last couple of seasons - naturally has some adverse effects but still, we are starting to look better.

 

[thfcsteff]

Every game has had progress, and I think this is where it differs to Frank's time. We missed a trick not signing an out and out striker, and clearly managing player minutes - while important considering last couple of seasons - naturally has some adverse effects but still, we are starting to look better.

Totally agree,
It is also a relief that De Zerbi absolutely knows where we're at and what we need to be doing better.
That was NOT the case this time last season when the football was brick yet we were told it was really good!

 

[mudshark]

Right now, I'd just like someone to take him to one side and make him repeat the word PROCESS ten times. A minor irritation in the scheme of things, I will admit, but there it is.