Few things.
Richarlison is our best player by a country mile.
Yes we were crap but it’s pre season. I reckon bed wetting is quite premature.
Silva has said he has an obligation to see all the players in action - plenty failed in this audition. In a way it was a necessary torture.
If Richarlison is anything to go by, this lot can spot a player - further additions will plug gaps.
Perhaps Blackburn are further on in their fitness program as their league starts sooner, and factor in the full training session we had in the morning.
And most importantly for me, we have been a mess since Moyes left, it’s gonna take him more than 7 weeks to fix.
This is a measured post which is all true.
This might sound odd, but I was more concerned with the Bury game than last night. Against Bury we looked ponderous in attack, most of our chances came from Niasse bulldozing his way past league 1 defenders. Last night we were much sharper going forward but didn't finish a number of good opportunities.
Defensively we were awful. That is the real concern I have for us, but it's not a new concern. Williams looks even further gone this summer than last. I think Jagielka looks to have fallen off the same cliff. Keane looks ill suited to play the way Silva wants, and Pennington is a championship defender. When you throw in that Stekelenberg let in 2 saveable shots and puts nerves into the back 4 it's a recipe for concern.
They are also not getting enough protection from Gueye & Schneiderlin (or Besic/Davies) though at least the latter two offer something going the other way. I am very concerned about the former two, who's job it is to protect the back 4 and don't seem very capable of doing it. That 3rd goal was a travesty last night.
However I do reiterate I am not sure what we learned that was new last night. We need a centre back in more desperately than a left back in my view. I thought Robinson deputised quite well. It wouldn't be ideal to go with him as back up, but it's a million miles better than keeping most of those centre backs.
This is now a pivotal moment for both Silva and Brands. the niceties have gone. The easy games have gone. Players were badly exposed last night and what he does next becomes quite significant. We shouldn't be bombing everyone out (and I'm a bit surprised to see lads like Tosun, Dowell and Davies taking the brunt) but we need to move forward. I have seen we've extended a credit facility, which presumably cab give us some wriggle room and allow us to hopefully get Mina/Digne done. If that happens we will be a lot better off.
