Judgement Day at SJP
- Nov 22
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 23
It's a massive game at SJP tonight against Manchester City.
The reaction and effect of the result will be stark.
Win and we could be just 3pts off a top 6 spot and ready to turbo charge our season.
Lose and we could be just 1pt off a relegation place and in a full blown crisis.
Eddie: I've tried everything against City and nothing has worked
"We've pressed high, sat deep, played a defensive 4 and a 5 and it hasn't worked"
That was the gist of what Eddie said at his, at times sombre, presser yesterday.
Yet to win a league game in 18 attempts against Pep and Man City, the pressure is really on Eddie to come up with a tactical masterpiece and to inspire a team performance that finally breaks that hoodoo.
To do that, and also to try and figure out why our league form has been way below par, Eddie admitted he has spent the international break watching re-runs of match after match and even reviewing his training practices and routines.
That is what good managers do when the going gets tough - but it also shows that Eddie is well aware that the spotlight is glaring on him and he has to find a solution, and quick.
Worrying stats that Eddie has to address...
Last season, we outran our opponents in 53% of games. That has dipped to just 27%.
This season we have dropped more points from winning positions than any Premier League side – already more than we did across the entirety of last season.
Those stats tell us we are too easy to play against, even when we go ahead.
'Intensity is our identity' is history - the question now is "what IS our identity?".
We can beat Man City - but it will take a season defining performance
Despite our form and performances, despite the criticism of players and even 'Eddie out' from some fans - we still have a squad packed with quality and capable of beating any team in the Prem - including Man City - and especially at SJP.
Would I be surprised if we lost 3-0? No.
Would I be surprised if we won? No.
My answers are a reflection of the inconsistency that has been our hallmark not just this season, but on our performances since that great cup winning day at Wembley.
So... I haven't thrown in the towel and neither will Eddie or the players and, most importantly, neither will the fans who will raise the roof off SJP in support tonight.
My fiver is going on a 2-1 win and the winnings will go straight into the Centurion's coffers when I quaff a celebratory pint or three.
Keep the faith and let's hear your thoughts on today's game.
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Great win and performance from the team, if we have a fit and committed squad we will do very well, imo. When we tick like last night we are a great watch and will surely move up the league, fingers crossed…. Just one negative from me, I just can’t see atm, anything positive about Elanga, apart from his pace, he cannot beat his man, cannot get crosses in, seems very lightweight and in and around the box it’s very unlikely he,ll score or get shots on target etc…. I just hope Eddie can work his magic on him as I love the idea of having 4 competent exciting wide men. Cheers GWH
excellent win last night, now that is the way to play, I do no one thing burn cant ever play at full back again, they all done there job and really should have been more goals for us really, wonder what the beef was between big joe and bruno with pep or was it someone else they where having a pop at
Once the welcome euphoria dies down after a great performance and deserved win against an in-form team it's time to look coldly ahead to 2 difficult away games in quick succession
Undoubtedly the return of our young full backs did more than simply rejuvenate the team but got us up pitch quicker and we looked more like our old selves in attack
Credit to Barnes for beginning to exploit the space which Woltemade's style creates although on another day he also could have also scored 2 (or 3)
Murphy didn't seem to be as involved as he has been but did get some good balls in when not having to help out dealing with O'Reilly who was getting forward and…
So interesting to see the side Eddie puts out on Tuesday in Marseille. He has to rotate, but to what degree, given the importance of the competition. Fatigue, both mental and physical, is a major issue for us this season, and the next couple of months is going to be incredibly demanding. I expect Trippier, Burn, Ramsey, Elanga, Botman and also Gordon to start if fit. Wolt should be rested, but unless he plays Gordon through middle, he'll have to start, which is a problem.
Yeah, Wolt was more mobile, and more clinical in the press, also we had players running beyond him. Good signs.