RuffRob

The least Pickford had to do.... The very least was to put his foot through the ball left foot out for a throw or right foot up the middle. He could then bollock Keane for a shite ball.....  Keane wasn't at fault for the goal - Pickford deciding to play about with 2 players closing him down was. 
Goalkeepers get crappy balls to deal with a couple of times a game.... It just seems our keeper makes them more of an issue than they need to be. 

few good performances -
Nilis is looking very good.
nice to see Awobi and Bernard get on the score sheet and with an assist each  , think both played really well tonight, I kept a particular eye on Awobi tonight, he had a hand if a few of the goals tonight. I think he is going to do alright for us this year playing in a team with a bit more confidence and on the front foot a little bit more. A tidy performance. So going for Awobi as he looked so happy during the press conference  

Went with Iwobi as he looked like a man playing against boys, class above today. Nkounkou a very close second, last assist was great to watch, the ball to him from Digne was top notch also. 
Thought Bernard done well when on the ball but went missing for large chunks, but not as much as the invisible man Sigurdssen who put in another forgettable performance. First half I'd say Delph put in the better shift of the three of them. 
See Pickford getting grief again for being played in to danger, this time by Keane. If anything Digne is most to blame for switching off and not tracking his man or giving the shout. Could even argue Ancelotti as he's the one pushing for this type of football and the opposition are clearly exploiting it. 

few good performances -
Nilis is looking very good.
nice to see Awobi and Bernard get on the score sheet and with an assist each  , think both played really well tonight, I kept a particular eye on Awobi tonight, he had a hand if a few of the goals tonight. I think he is going to do alright for us this year playing in a team with a bit more confidence and on the front foot a little bit more. A tidy performance. So going for Awobi as he looked so happy during the press conference  

we seem to have the Midas touch when it comes to left backs  
 

we seem to have the Midas touch when it comes to left backs  
 

we seem to have the Midas touch when it comes to left backs  
 

I'd imagine James can strike a pen.
I'd also like to see DCL and Richarilson backed to take them if they are competent (and they really should be) though.  If DCL wants to compete for top goal scorer he should be able to take pens if he can show he's capable of scoring 9 out of 10.

I agree - and didn't mean to imply anything negative against Allan. Pickford must take charge of commanding the back line, and Allan is in charge ahead of him. This is what I meant: They must work together, learn from each other's approach, and demand only the best.

I think having signed Bale, spurs are going to be lot better that they where against us on the opening day of the season. Going to be a tough old battle at the business end of the table. 

I still want every single player in the team replaced with better players, all of them, all of the time. If we could buy 11 better players tomorrow I’d want us to. 
But after a great win, and the third win in seven days, I’m happy.
In regards time Pickford, the reason I’m happy to stick with him is I don’t see us buying a better keeper. If we do go and buy a better keeper, great. If we still have money to spend I’d rather we buy a centre half. 
Of the two goals we’ve conceded so far this season, I’m not bothered about Pickford's role in them. If he messes up I’m more than happy to say so, but I don’t see anything wrong. 

I also thought the BT commentators where a little over critical of Pickford for the first goal. Its almost a case of people over scrutinising him after last seasons problems and the fact he is the England keeper. Mina should have done a better. 
I have been the first to be on his case when he screws up, and will continue to do so, but today's not a day for it in all fairness. 

That was one of the things that sold his transfer to me, when he is taking a pay cut to come and you just know there is a genuine desire from him to come and PLAY and ENJOY football  and not coming because we where offering an over the odds pay cheque to tempt him here. 
Ancelotti sold him the club and the project that is being built here, and he genuinely wants to be part of it. 
Although not big on tracking back and tackling, I also noticed that if HE loses the ball, then he does have a good go at getting it back.
As his game is based more on vision and technique as opposed to getting past a player or pace, then he is the type of player that  you can genuinely squeeze a few more year out of at the very top level. Pace is generally the first thing that starts to go with a player, so not such a big deal if your game doesn't rely on it.  If all goes well, he could be the playmaker in the team for 4 or 5 years. Plenty of time for succession planning!!!
 

That was one of the things that sold his transfer to me, when he is taking a pay cut to come and you just know there is a genuine desire from him to come and PLAY and ENJOY football  and not coming because we where offering an over the odds pay cheque to tempt him here. 
Ancelotti sold him the club and the project that is being built here, and he genuinely wants to be part of it. 
Although not big on tracking back and tackling, I also noticed that if HE loses the ball, then he does have a good go at getting it back.
As his game is based more on vision and technique as opposed to getting past a player or pace, then he is the type of player that  you can genuinely squeeze a few more year out of at the very top level. Pace is generally the first thing that starts to go with a player, so not such a big deal if your game doesn't rely on it.  If all goes well, he could be the playmaker in the team for 4 or 5 years. Plenty of time for succession planning!!!
 

That was one of the things that sold his transfer to me, when he is taking a pay cut to come and you just know there is a genuine desire from him to come and PLAY and ENJOY football  and not coming because we where offering an over the odds pay cheque to tempt him here. 
Ancelotti sold him the club and the project that is being built here, and he genuinely wants to be part of it. 
Although not big on tracking back and tackling, I also noticed that if HE loses the ball, then he does have a good go at getting it back.
As his game is based more on vision and technique as opposed to getting past a player or pace, then he is the type of player that  you can genuinely squeeze a few more year out of at the very top level. Pace is generally the first thing that starts to go with a player, so not such a big deal if your game doesn't rely on it.  If all goes well, he could be the playmaker in the team for 4 or 5 years. Plenty of time for succession planning!!!
 

Has to go to DCL for his hat-trick - just loving his poachers goals
But took a hat-trick to pinch my MoM from Rodriquez just for that pass to Richalison for DCL second goal. Seen one or two similar assists from a highlight video before his arrived, and was all gooey eye then. Second game in and he is already at it in a blue shirt!!! Oh, and he scored a goal!! 

- winning away to top 6 teams
- coming back from behind to win
- winning first two games of the season
things we haven't been doing for years, really good omens. 
Rodrigues is the real deal, great touches and great goal. 

nothing you can do about a strike  like that
 

He just oozes quality and confidence in what HE does and how HE plays the game. He's not going to dribble and accelerate with the ball, he's not going to bust a gut winning back possession - and is never going to, but he just consistently puts it on a sixpence when he passes that ball around the park. 
He seems to be thriving as a 'star player' , what's he going to be like when he settles in!!!
 

think you are being a little over critical. West Brom had a couple of decent 5min spells here and there (particular in the first  15m 20mins of the game) and we where on the back foot  only once or twice, but this is Prem football and rare to dominate games completely, especially against newly promoted teams in the first month or two of the season when they are well up for it. Last year we may have drawn or even lost this game, today we just grew and dominated.
To put in in to perspective, this is only the second game for our midfield together (four different players who have NEVER played together!!), so there is occasionally going to be the odd clinch until they properly understand one and others games - actually doing well to look as good as it does in the time they have been together. I am only expecting them to come together properly in the New year.
 

think you are being a little over critical. West Brom had a couple of decent 5min spells here and there (particular in the first  15m 20mins of the game) and we where on the back foot  only once or twice, but this is Prem football and rare to dominate games completely, especially against newly promoted teams in the first month or two of the season when they are well up for it. Last year we may have drawn or even lost this game, today we just grew and dominated.
To put in in to perspective, this is only the second game for our midfield together (four different players who have NEVER played together!!), so there is occasionally going to be the odd clinch until they properly understand one and others games - actually doing well to look as good as it does in the time they have been together. I am only expecting them to come together properly in the New year.
 

think you are being a little over critical. West Brom had a couple of decent 5min spells here and there (particular in the first  15m 20mins of the game) and we where on the back foot  only once or twice, but this is Prem football and rare to dominate games completely, especially against newly promoted teams in the first month or two of the season when they are well up for it. Last year we may have drawn or even lost this game, today we just grew and dominated.
To put in in to perspective, this is only the second game for our midfield together (four different players who have NEVER played together!!), so there is occasionally going to be the odd clinch until they properly understand one and others games - actually doing well to look as good as it does in the time they have been together. I am only expecting them to come together properly in the New year.
 

think you are being a little over critical. West Brom had a couple of decent 5min spells here and there (particular in the first  15m 20mins of the game) and we where on the back foot  only once or twice, but this is Prem football and rare to dominate games completely, especially against newly promoted teams in the first month or two of the season when they are well up for it. Last year we may have drawn or even lost this game, today we just grew and dominated.
To put in in to perspective, this is only the second game for our midfield together (four different players who have NEVER played together!!), so there is occasionally going to be the odd clinch until they properly understand one and others games - actually doing well to look as good as it does in the time they have been together. I am only expecting them to come together properly in the New year.
 

The midfield needs time, they have had only a couple of weeks training and 2 games so there is a lack of understanding on who pushes, who stays etc. All this will come with time.
Very good performance against a West Brom team that played very very well in the first half, their passing and movement were superb.
Though Siggy, Iwobi and Kean looked good when they came on. Shows we have real strength in depth.
However we NEED a centre back, or two asap, although Keane and Mina were ok, we need cover and competition.

- winning away to top 6 teams
- coming back from behind to win
- winning first two games of the season
things we haven't been doing for years, really good omens. 
Rodrigues is the real deal, great touches and great goal.