I think we all will agree that Atletico was our best performance in a LONG time. After months of torture, that showing brought some belief back.
Immediately after the game I was feeling a lot more optimistic about things. First win since Dortmund, home European record extended to 25, great setup and in-game management.
I didn't want to overreact and say we're all good. So I've waited a few days and can calmly share my quiet positivity now.
Firstly, the individual performances from the likes of Gray, Simons and Tel were fantastic. We all know those guys have quality, but there was a real sense of leadership. For Gray in particular, that's been clear for a while, but I was really proud to see how much Tel and Simons were willing the team and fans on throughout the game.
I was encouraged by the overall play too. We put together passing moves, we looked fluid. It's crazy how much Frank supressed all ability in the team. We're still yet to really assess Tudor, but that game really showed that the right manager can get this time playing some good football again.
But for now, our biggest danger is getting ahead of ourselves and thinking we're safe. Relegation battles are a new thing to most of us. The closest I've experienced was the first 8 games of 2008/09.
I think it's great to see us spreading some positivity again, particular with Forest on Sunday.
I wrote an article on Last Word on Sports going into a little bit more detail if anyone's interested. I am just happy to be writing with a positive tone for once!
by calvinburton
4 Comments
I am not sure. The Liverpool game was more impressive for me.
The tactics were different against Madrid on Wednesday. You could see that the players were actively playing the ball forward and not just looking for possession for the sake of it. My opinion is Tudor has worked some of the poor habits out of the team / got lucky that he’s fallen on Sarr and Gray in the middle.
This squad is 100% good enough to stay up, tactics and confidence are the deciding factors, and it feels something changed this week. Sunday biggest game of the season by a long shot.
I see a lot of potential in Tel, but feel he has a lot of lapses defensively, which had kept him out of the team. Maybe Tudor has figured something out to minimize the impact of that structurally. Can anyone speak more intelligently about this?
Also, I don’t know what to make of Kolo Muani at this point. Some huge goals and assists, but he’s been invisible for most of the time he’s played.
Perhaps for the first time since maybe August, we have a top 10 squad available.
TF would have loved this. As it is, IT benefits. Such is fate, such are the margins.
Perhaps a new unity built, sense of responsibility, around the Kinsky incident.