We still need to improve on our open play though, Havertz miss could easily have haunted us.

Get someone in, keep this squad tgt, contract renewal with Partey, with Zubi and Partey, we can play around any team in the world.

Adrenaline rushing.

Deadline day prediction: striker/winger coming in 😌

Particularly enjoyed the possession play in our own half during 2-1, so measured, so calm, then unlocking the line breaking pass from partey and MLS.

The technique and the courage required to pull that off, that’s the happiest set of play for me tonight. We have become mentality monsters!

Game analysis:

Best game Partey had this season, even by his top standard. Interception, unpressible, vision and spatial awareness, world class performance.

Raya, MLS, Gabriel and trossard in first half were also brilliant. Can’t fault anyone for the goal

MC gave up at 3-1, which was hard to see…

Negative:
- Martinelli: lost all duels after coming on, spineless performance, can’t even dribble to the byline and cross
- A half-fit Ode: can’t play make, can’t even control or shield the ball, retrospect view of playing MLS / Zinchenko might even be better there
- ref

Positives:
- Merino: a differing opinion but I think he had a good game, good vision and technique for the assist. Dictate tempo well and composed. Professional foul to stop attack 2nd half
- Nwaneri also had his bright moment, but lost possession far too often.
- Calafiori attacking impact down LHS

Game analysis:
Good and compact first half, lost control second half when Ode came on, Rice knackered late on and got run through in the middle.

Ref incidents:
Pen: never a pen, can accept pen if Saliba didn’t touch the ball, but the fact that he touched, meaning ball not under J Pedro’s possession

3. Predicted Ipswich line up

Raya
Timber
Gabriel
Saliba
Partey
Jorginho
Rice
Ode
Jesus
Havertz
Martinelli

W/o Saka, we need Partey and Jorgy to control and look for line-breaking to Ode from deep, with Timber as a ball carrying player & more mature def to protect our LHS. Rice crucial for delivery

2. Ars may maintain attacking number

Less control approach meaning a more chaotic type, transition-based football, it is equally hard to defend without the predicality. Øde will be orchestrating attack, and Jesus will benefit from his unorthodox dribbling.

Predict: Ars xG >2.5, Jesus returns again

How to fix open play without dipping into transfer market?

Partey as 6 would solve the problem of ball progression. Would be able to find Øde through the lines, closer to middle of park instead of Øde hugging touchline to receive the ball as no one can make line breaking pass.

But game was killed with the Jorginho substitution. Dragged the tempo. Too control with no risk taken in possession. Last 10 mins was hard to watch with Gabriel, Saliba, Jorginho recycling possession, then to Trossard for one on one which was not his strength. N53 hiding whole game was disappointing

Game analysis:
xG 1.42 vs 0.17

Though xG doesn’t reflect the game, we were in control but not dominant.

Gabriel played well, scintillating block on Doucoure. Ode 3 poor games in a row, missing another sitter. Actually thought Rice was alright this game, recovered well with duels.

Had to praise Jesus for his work rate, and didn’t ball hog as often this game

Not trying to be mean to Nelli, he did try hard, but could have given a red for the pull back end of 1st half, that was reckless.

Ode had faster feet pre-injury, slowly regaining full fitness, missed 2-3 chances too

Game analysis:
xG: 2.29 vs 0.38

Another easy dominating performance. MLS impressive, good half turn, good ball carrying and close control, vision to pick out Jesus for the assist. Not tested defensively though.

Rice better, more forward thinking then previous games, sometimes lose control though

Good:
- another corner G, 2 other big chances from corner
- one of Saliba better games, bossing Raul whole game, so calm in possession, fair to say he is world class

Bad:
- open play
- Ø ball control, slow and wrong decision, very unlike him
- kiwior not built for possession play, we miss Gab/Cala

Game analysis:

FUL stayed compact and let ARS go to the wings in possession. Both LHS and RHS dynamics failed due to lack of 1 v 1 quality and Ode Saka miscontrol respectively

This game screams a strong direct left winger for 1 v 1 play, both nelli and trossard were ineffective in respective ways

Rice: strong performance, much better in the first phase, beautiful delivery as always, still felt pass selection can be more aggressive

Rare Saka dud: lack of physicality, failed to control the ball on half turn, lost duels to Malacia was surprising. Did not make run behind. May not be fully fit?