08 Mar 2018 13:23:37
I know we made a great effort in getting back into the game in Turin, after such a horrific start, but I can't help thinking that we were a little naive last night.

Having gone a goal up, and I know we played well in the 1st half, but why did we not go to 5 at the back, with our full backs sitting in, two in front of the back 5 and then let our attacking 3 hit them on the break, after half time?

Juve were obviously going to try and change things as they were not in the game until the 60th ish minute. they had 15 minutes of attacking football over both legs and we lost.

Yes I love our attacking football when we are on it, but part of me says that given the opportunities missed in both legs, we need to be a little more astute and adapt.

Look at the Chelsea game at home at the start of the season, same again. its happened a few times and I think we need to add that to our armoury.

It also helps having two strikers that have 1 chance and score, another issue we need to resolve. how many chances did we create over the two legs.

rant over. we move on. and hopefully learn.

C. O. Y. S.

1.) 08 Mar 2018
08 Mar 2018 16:30:46
Nes I was thinking the same thing last night, when you got the goal poch should have shut up shop.
That's the way to get through them types of games.
2 away goals and went 1 up last night should have seen it out.

2.) 09 Mar 2018
09 Mar 2018 07:42:15
Although I see where your both coming from, but it’s all after the event. If you look at the 1st half we were well on top, so as a manager you’d think you’ve got it right with no reason to change. It was a 6 or 7 minutes spell and class finishing.
Having being at the game the other night. Our problem is the wing back positions Ben Davies has come on but he’s not champions league materials.
As for Trippier when he receives the ball his 1st instinct is to look to pass sideways, this slows our entire team down. He had numerous times to go forward with the ball.

These areas we need to strengthen modern day football is all about the full backs breaking past that line then they pull teams out of position.

3.) 09 Mar 2018
09 Mar 2018 09:51:48
DR, I agree we were well on top in the 1st half but Juve were obviously bound to change things in the 2nd half, they had too for that reason and I would have expected seeing that we did not at that point need a 2nd or 3rd goal, even though we had had the chances in the 1st half, for us to control the game with possession and sit in? seeing out the game. putting more pressure on Juve and hitting them on the break.

I too was at the game and I agree with the full backs of modern day analysis, however 1 nil up, 2 away goals with 45 mins to go in the Champions League? we have to be able to kill games, and by that I mean possession and slowing down the game like they did once they went 2-1 up. We will come up against this more and more in the Champions League.

Davis was way too deep for the 2nd goal playing Dybala onside, even though Sanchez went walk about and should have taken a card. the full backs should be up with the last centre half. even for the 1st goal Davis was nowhere near tight enough to his man allowing him to pick out his cross.

That said, we had the chances in the 1st half to kill the round off. what would have been the score if their front two had those chances.

4.) 09 Mar 2018
09 Mar 2018 14:54:02
Thats a fair assessment NES, Good post that.