The one where we aren’t Berry good without a 9

1: The prevailing take from most is that our recent defensive success was been strictly down to having 3 CB’s. I contest that that individual performances were of more consequence than the systems itself. New England’s first two goals come from a mistake from Brooks (who honestly just got a little unlucky) and Sosa. Our last two matches were largely devoid of those mistakes. It’s not just the formation. 

 

2: Berry is such a known non threat that we actively avoid targeting him for anything. My lord Brooks beat him for the ball from Thiago in the first half and he started his run from midfield and still managed to have a go. It just can’t be understated how ineffective we are in the attack with out an effective #9 and how much Berry is not that. Maybe we should start Chol as the 9 when Georgios can’t go. I’d rather not because I think he’s more effective coming off the bench but…F it. 

 

3: Game state is everything. Doesn’t matter if we lose by 1 goal or a bajillion. Once we’re down were chasing, and more open and usually making more mistakes because we’re in our own heads and just taking more risks. To our credit, after the 2nd goal we didn’t let it get away from us and we gave ourselves enough chances to get back in. 

 

4: Even if we make miles a DP I’m not sure he sticks around. He wants to go to Europe and I’m not sure another $1 million changes his mind. It’s a lot of money but it’s not set up for life kinda money and he isn’t gonna earn much more than the only other DP CB in the league. 

 

5: We are missing a #9 and we came up against one of, if not the best, keeper in the league. Pineda rightly made personnel and tactical changes in the 2nd half and to his credit, we played much better. Yes New England let off some, but still it was just a much better performance. Not for nothing but when was the last time New England was really good? Oh right, when they had another elite goal keeper in Matt Turner. It says a lot about your team when the key reason why your’e in a good position is because of your goal keeper.