I am not sure why we played with Tonali and Bentancur today. It meant Fernandes in the 10, a role I have always felt he's wasted in, and effectively gave us extra protection against a side with no threat, also robbing us of better balance. I suppose the argument is that neither Maddison or Kudus are fit enough. I still don't think Kudus is a 10 TBH. Anyway, I'd rather have seen a 3 of Savio, Tel and Marmoush with Solanke up top. I know it is in vogue to bash Tel -the clip of RDZ and him at the final whistle doesn't help- but he was absolutely no worse than any of them today in terms of decision making, and showed plenty of purpose.
RDZ has chained himself to a system which needs that 9, and IMO, he's going to have to create workarounds and fast, because unless Solanke is still ramping up to full fitness, he looked so average it hurt. Dear GHod, I'm watching Brobby right now and thinking 'that's what RDZ needs' which is quite something.
Savio needs to up his decision-making, and I'm going to take a deep breath and give Marmoush a pass because I thought he wasn't the same after that clatter where it looked like a hurt his hip. Kudus is off it for sure; he showed little conviction IMO, always looking for the safe option. I thought the CBs were pretty comfortable. Robertson? He is functional but if you told me he'd been signed from Burnley because we couldn't get our first choice I wouldn't question you (a couple of his crossed were woeful, including one where he only had to hit the middle of the box and Solanke was there for a header on the penalty spot).
I will continue to strive for patience, and remain firmly hopeful that it all comes together before the international break, but we'd be wise to be if not concerned, angry as a club. The players need to be angry, they need to take it out on the ball, and they need to shoot more and play with more conviction in the final third...IMO.
