05 Sep 2020 17:10:02
Jones has to be above Keita in the pecking order, I know it was only Blackpool but Keita should be gaffering a game like that, Jones came on and did gaffer it.
Thought Bobby was mint when Mo and Mane went off.
Minamino will be a proper player, quality touches and work.
But Jones, the lads a talent.

05 Sep 2020 17:13:51
Keita was sound, fabihno was a bit off for me.

05 Sep 2020 17:15:55
What was the final score and who scored?

05 Sep 2020 17:27:09
I'd be more worried about Fabinho's form. He is our first choice CDM and 4th choice CB, and he has looked completely off the pace. Keita was ok, not sure why people are turning on him.

05 Sep 2020 17:30:29
Keita was the best player on the pitch with Minamino. Jones looks class too. Perfect Lallana replacement. We have a pretty strong midfield now, and Taki can play forward too as he showed today. Looking forward to the start of the season!

05 Sep 2020 17:43:59
I thought Keita played well myself . Minamino, Bobby and Sadie were very good, but Mo just isn’t on his game at the moment which is my worry
Curtis Jones is a class player and can only get better.
Score was 7-2

Matip
Mane
Minamino
Firmino
Elliot
Origi
Van de Berg
All scored .

05 Sep 2020 17:44:50
He wasn't. Taking too much time on the ball and wayward passing is going to concede opportunities for opponents. He needs to improve or he won't be trusted enough to start.

05 Sep 2020 18:22:31
Gaffering? World class analysis like this makes all worthwhile.

05 Sep 2020 18:27:56
Congrats on elliot and vbd scoring their first goals for us!

05 Sep 2020 18:47:08
Elliot looks decent and hopefully will progress into a useful player. Jones will be a star full stop. Millie was class, had his arm around players giving them encouragement. There was also a sense of real team camaraderie and togetherness. The doom and groomers can relax, can see us having another stellar season. Obviously not based on this result, but on their confidence levels and play which seems to flow right from the youth players.

I don't fear the other teams strengthening, its going to be a hell of a ride watching 3 or four teams Duke it out next season, bring it on.

05 Sep 2020 19:20:37
The doom and groomers!? Damn. Ed001 you need to clamp down on who is using this site!

05 Sep 2020 19:26:38
Gaffering! Probably the worst term I've ever heard lol.

05 Sep 2020 19:35:17
I thought Naby was solid, not perfect, but gave us forward drives and it feels like that’s something we haven’t had much of for a while. I worry a bit that he tries to beat players from too deep at times, but what do I know? Not sure what some are talking about when they say Curtis Jones should replace Naby, they can play in tandem quite well I think, as long as they have a solid shield behind them. If Fabs hits form then that is sorted. Hendo will give that usual midfield steel remember.

05 Sep 2020 20:09:06
Very odd take. Keita was very good in the 2nd half. Unbelievable amount of times he won the ball back. I agree Jones was fabulous. But don't get the dig at Keita at all!

05 Sep 2020 20:07:37
The good news to me was seeing Firmino and Taki on the pitch at the same time for an entire game. Each one alternating who was ahead of the other. And it worked pretty well. You can see the clear progress Taki is making. And Firmino continues to be the ultimate enigma. He won't score with a one on one against the keeper, but he'll score with a backfoot sidestep (which is more difficult) .

The issue with Keita is simple. Look at all the "wows" for Jones, above, and then compare with the appreciation for Keita. It should be the other way around, with Keita getting all the praise. The minute Jones comes in, he gets involved and he gets other players involved. When we're defending in our third, Jones is in there in the middle. When we're attacking in their third, Jones is also there in the middle. All that Keita should be doing, but doesn't do enough of. I know the media loves to write how a player's price should not play in people's heads. But guess what? It does. And that's part of Keita's problem too.

05 Sep 2020 20:25:49
Keita was very good i thought. Ran into trouble a few times but on overall balance he was one of the few players who started who had a good game. Firmino and Minamino being the other starters who played well.

Jones, Elliott and Phillips were superb though. Jones and Phillips regained control of the game. Elliott came on though and absolutely destroyed their defence. Never mind his goal or his assist, his flick through to Jones for Origi's goal was absolute genius.

05 Sep 2020 22:07:08
Pre season friendly and no chance Jones should be ahead of Keita.

05 Sep 2020 22:20:27
Where i come from to gaffer the midfield is normal im sure you have your own terms where you live but i don't jump on here to re quote somebodies grammar, i don't need correcting im 47 not 16.
As for Keita your all entitled to your own opinions after all football is all about that, my own is im not sure he's good enough at retaining the ball, id love to be proved wrong and he gets full support always but for me personally Jones looks to have a tonne more scope and effort in him.
Take it easy the seasons nearly here and we have zero to worry about until the real stuff begins.
YNWA.

06 Sep 2020 08:13:45
Midlands Red, nobody was re checking your grammar lol just laughing at the term gaffering. Chill my friend! To quick to jump on the defensive.

06 Sep 2020 10:38:40
This was a preseason friendly against Blackpool. Nothing should be taken from this game except improving match fitness.

06 Sep 2020 11:07:17
Spot on, Funghi. Nothing else to see here.

07 Sep 2020 09:50:26
Didn’t the 17 yr old giant defender everyone is raving about have a poor game?