Midfield

[toptoon]

One of the most pleasing things from today was that the question was answered as to if a midfield of Bruno, Tonali and Big Joe could work.
It was creative (smashing ball from Bruno for the penalty) and can work defensively but Joe needs to cut out losing the ball so much as he did today.

[Zippity]

Aye, Joe was caught on his heels and lost possession several times today.

Midfield was more attacking. With the best will in the world, Longstaff's first instinct isn't to pass it fowards.

[Magzer]

The more those three play together the better they will get and today's showing was not too shabby at all.
Joelinton does dwell on the ball at times, but it's the rough with the mostly smooth, so I'm not overly bothered, although I'd like to see him cut it out of his game.

[Jammy89]

It was glorious to see.

Has to be our starting 3 going forward.

[tinostongue]

I think Eddie has to start playing a settled side every game, using subs maybe with 29 mins to go. They need to build up an understanding and he needs to decide his strongest starting 11.

[Zippity]

I think Eddie has to start playing a settled side every game, using subs maybe with 29 mins to go. They need to build up an understanding and he needs to decide his strongest starting 11.

Agree. The players need to start forming partnerships and understand each other's patterns-training can only get you do far in that respect.

[Ragatino]

It's only gonna get better with the 3 of them play together more and more.

Joelinton much improved as were all but still needs to get the ball out of his feet quicker at times.

Against City it's to be expected, great team. Bodes well for game against lesser teams.

We should be able to impose our will on teams with that engine room in midfield.

Good progress and a genuine 10x improvement from the turd of a performance at Fulham.

[Nufcian]

Aye, Joe was caught on his heels and lost possession several times today.

Midfield was more attacking. With the best will in the world, Longstaff's first instinct isn't to pass it fowards.

Joelinton was top notch apart from at least 2 times he didn’t react to the ball coming in quickly enough, against most of the Prem there is so little time, against a team of Citeh’s quality even less so… but other than that he had a cracking game.

Longstaff gave the ball away way to cheaply just outside our own box, and while it was just outside our box it developed so quickly into a great chance for them… he wasn’t the only one, and in extra time we got a bit nervous and could have been a lot more comfortable if calmer heads had prevailed… but I guess the prospect of a point being earnt or lost had an impact.

The crowd was quiet for a lot of the game, towards the end it was much better… bloody Manc’s singing “where’s your famous atmosphere”… have they been to their own home games?

Hopefully we’ll see the midfield 3 as default 3, and they’ll improve as a unit as a result… we can bring Willock and even Longstaff in as time goes on and we need fresh legs, but these are clearly our 3 best players.

Gordon was at it more yesterday, poor against Fulham I thought, but hopefully if he signs a new contract soon we’ll see him being consistently the player he was last season. I’m not convinced by him as a striker mind, needs must, but seems that receiving the ball inside the pitch means his first touch is poor (it was yesterday at least) and I’m looking forward to Isak and Wilson being available… becasue I think they’ve been a big miss.

Also think Tripps starting helped us out, just having that calm head in the pitch and in the dressing room as a playing member of the squad helps (imo)

[ex_pat_magpie]

The more those three play together the better they will get and today's showing was not too shabby at all.
Joelinton does dwell on the ball at times, but it's the rough with the mostly smooth, so I'm not overly bothered, although I'd like to see him cut it out of his game.

When those three hit top form together you will find it hard to name a better mid field trio anywhere in the prem.

[Ragatino]

When those three hit top form together you will find it hard to name a better mid field trio anywhere in the prem.

As it stands City you can argue but then they're the gold standard of first team and 2nd 11. Arsenal have a decent first 3 CMFs, on par I'd say with wor 3. Liverpool's 3 CMFs flatter to deceive.