Wanted to wait to post so less emotion involved. Leeds United were never going to the Emirates and winning. However 5-0 is not acceptable. Daniel Farke got it wrong right from his line up. My opinions are:
Struijk is a car crash when under pressure defending.
Gruev is simply not good enough – too lightweight and a poor back up for Ampadu.
Dan James, again too lightweight at this level, Premier League (PL) full backs are far better than championship ones and he isn’t technically good enough. He’s not quality, you shouldn’t be able to simply knock it passed and outrun a full back in the PL.
Piroe was never going to be the right choice up top against Gabriel and Saliba, we needed Nmecha from the start to at least offer an outlet ball. Not Piroe’s fault, it’s the managers poor selection.
Why on earth does Farke not make any changes at halftime other than arrogance or naivety? Let’s not be jaded by a lucky win against a really poor Everton side. We had lots of possession first half against them and again barely laid a glove on Everton. Yet he sticks with the same starting front line against a team, levels above Everton.
We signed a keeper who is known to not be great with his feet yet constantly look to pass back to him! Absolutely mental. Play Nmecha or DCL up top and play long.
For me it’s ridiculous to be sending Ramazani out, he’s our most threatening winger going forward (not including Okafor as not seen enough of him) at this level.
For me in my opinion before I get shot for this one, if Forest do sack Nuno then I’d happily let ‘One trick pony’ Farke go and bring in Nuno.
I’ve always maintained that Farke will not adapt his style in the PL, he’s a quality didn’t shine at Norwich and I’m seriously worried he won’t here. He’s of the quality who sticks with his favourites, but being a good manager means making the tough calls.
I’ll wait for the starting 11 against Newcastle next week, but I doubt it will be vastly different. Like I say I didn’t expect to win at Arsenal but it’s the manner of a defeat that really worries me. We’re fishing in the big pond now, not the puddle.