Overall, I think Sarri is doing very well. Think we've got away with it a few times, but it's clearly a work in progress and we're a bit further ahead of where I thought we would be.
Bit worried about his inflexibility tactically, he's just never going to adjust it is he (irrespective of what's happening) and his subs are like for like (not unusual in an Italian...).
Main areas for improvement at the moment are the defence (only Rudiger gets in at the moment, the rest have been ropey on and off all season) and we clearly need a decent centre forward. Willian and Pedro will do for this season, but beyond next season we need decent replacements (not sure CHO is one of them, we'll see).
Also worried about Jorginho against the better sides - Good going forward, but anonymous defensively - Look at how easily Pogba kept brushing him aside in the second half on Saturday.
All in all a decent start, but once the fixtures start piling up in December and we get a couple of injuries, that'll be when the fun really starts.
Agree that the defence needs strengthening, but it would help them if the worlds best defensive midfielder was deployed as a, errrr, defensive midfielder.. ![[eh]](../images/smilies/confused.gif)
Was sort of suggesting that with the comments on Jorginho.Agree with all that. ![[^]](../images/smilies/approve.gif)
Rudiger has been excellent hasn't he, possibly future captain material imo - regarding the defence, I still have high hopes for Christensen, an think sarris style of football will suit him. I'm now wondering where azpi's best position is, might it be CB, even in a back 4? Alonso has done pretty well at LB this season, but what the fcuk was he doing on the deck Saturday for their goal. ![[rant]](../images/smilies/rant.gif)
On the midfield - whilst I know jorginho is sarri's main man and crucial to the way he wants to play, as mad as it sounds, im not sure I'd pick him in my midfield 3, especially in big games. Kante holding, with kovacic and Barkley I think would be more solid and give us more of a goal threat from midfield. Fairplay to Barkley who is impressing so far this season.
A winger is definitely needed next summer, even if hazard stays.
As for the strikers - as we all know, this is a big problem. I wish we'd kept batshuayi in the summer. I think it's worth looking at Pedro in this role now, but we're light on wingers.
So far so good with kepa too, seems a much more likeable bloke than big nose!
On the whole, very impressed with the start we've made, room for improvement and once we get a decent striker, we'll be a decent side.
I quite like his policy of swapping Kovacic/Barkley, Giroud/Morata and Willian/Pedro. In most games, I feel we've looked the better side and just needed fresh legs to continue the pattern of the game. We create chances and miss far too many and then we risk the dropped points...the strikers aren't helping enough re goals as we all know. Our new style will always offer chances so we need to be banking goals because one will seldom be enough under Sarri and his style.
I get very frustrated with the employment of Kante. Sarri knows he simply has to play but I feel he's wasted further up - I actually think it weakens us using him there. He's hardly a goalscorer or creator so I see no logic other than 'he has to play and it doesn't matter where'. Love Jorginho and what he brings to the team. Quick fast movement of the ball....he really does everything so simply at pace. I personally find him an absolute joy to watch. Somehow, someway...Kante has to tuck in around him to add that extra strength.
We are a goalscoring goalscorer behind Liverpool but 2-4 players short of City imo. Sarri needs time to address the gaps so I'll take what comes this season and enjoy the mentality of our lads enjoying football and wanting to dominate games.