Ha, I couldn’t resist that headline.
But seriously, we looked very good didn’t we?
We certainly didn’t look put of place and were probably the better team, in that we had the better possession and also created the most chances.
Jack Grealish was head and shoulders the best player yet again, for me, but he did seem to have a problem in sometimes holding onto the ball for just that little bit too long.
We’ve discussed it before, but when you’re as skilled, creative and involved as much as he is, I think it’s something we can forgive him for.
It would be nice if he could get away from it and either pass or shoot a touch earlier though. I guess it must be a right swine being so skilled and confident to think that you can do it all on your own.
While I wouldn’t say we played terribly well, we did ok against a Leicester, who while they had injuries, are a very good side and easily capable of causing any opposition a problem; so much so that I can’t think of anyone who played poorly.
McGinn looks back to his best, Trezeguet worked his guts out, the full backs looked ok and yes, I include Targett in that. The defence looks much more comfortable and indeed, the whole team looks more organised and confident. What a change from much of last season.
Perhaps my only criticism is that we never really got Watkins into the game as much as I’d have liked, but it’s hard to say why that was. He certainly worked hard enough, after all.
I haven’t mentioned Ross Barkley.
What must he be thinking about his move to the club?
Well, I’ve just seen his interview and it seems he hasn’t been able to train all week and was 50-50 before today. He certainly looked the part too and to get a winner in the last couple of minutes must be a great feeling. To think he might have been wasting his time as part of Chelsea’s second string.
So, we’re second in the league, a point behind Everton, but with a game in hand. We also have the best goal difference, +10, as opposed to the next highest which is +7.
I said previously that we were very much in a false position, because we’d played two of the weakest sides in the league.
But we’ve now absolutely thrashed Liverpool and beaten Leicester on their own turf.
Which puts a totally different perspective on things, as they’re two of the teams you’d expect to be challenging.
I still think we’re in a false position, but it also strikes me that we don’t really look like it.
There are some decent sides in this league, but not one of them strikes me as outstandingly good.
I’ve also said that we’re seeing some very strange results already, probably because of the lack of crowds.
And that means anything is possible, if the right team goes on the right sort of run, doesn’t suffer too many injuries and has more than it’s share of luck.
I very much doubt that would be us. We’re not that lucky.
But it doesn’t hurt to dream does it?
What a win!
I’m elated!!!
Badger an excellent summing up. Although I not sure about a false dawn for us. Perhaps we do have a 1st 11 to wrestle for a top six place.
They key as you highlighted is injuries. Our standing this year depends on injuries. Few injuries and we will surprise the pundits. A number of injuries and we are mid table.
I said in a previous post how I rate our midfield. It is balanced and full of quality. Brazil’s defensive midfielder, Scotland’s best midfielder, England’s most skill full midfielder and England’s next recalled midfielder. Which teams in the premier have a better balanced midfield?
Now add the spine of Watkins, Mings and Konsa with Martinez in goal and there is a very strong spine to our team.
Let’s enjoy our current position and hope our dream of winning the league becomes a reality.
UTV
This is one result that I can’t put down to the lack of crowds.
OK, Leicester were missing Vardy, which always helps, but it wasn’t any sort of ‘freak’ result; I think we’d have seen exactly the same if there’d been a full house tonight.
We currently have the tightest defence in the league, and the ability to score goals which was lacking last season.
Unless the players let it go their heads, there’s nobody out there who we should be scared of playing: home or away.
I can appreciate that if we were away at Old Trafford, or Anfield, with crowds there, referees might be much more likely to give home teams penalties, etc., but other than that I don’t see the absence of crowds making much difference to how we’re playing.
Blimey Moss was a right homer…..as well as being crap.
As OLL pointed out – is he the worst referee in the league?
What I am enjoying at the moment is that ever team seems to be giving it a proper go. It feels like the Prem is actually competitive and, judging by some of the results, you can’t always be certain who is going to beat who.
Imagine that, a premier league where all twenty teams are battling it out. I’ll probably wake up soon to find it’s all a dream.
It reminds me of the Championship. Apart from a few at the bottom of the table, a large proportion of the league were all trying to challenge for the top places. This made it a real competitive league and great to watch and be part of.
With the reminder I think from Villaawayin div3 my attentions was on that prat the referee, what’s he up to? His he on a collection of names he books and it’s on Villa players, again he picked on Villa the right back for Leicester got away with murder on Grealish ,one tackle was a sending off % it was, had the privilege to be with my grandkids watching the game and what a celebration when the goal went in . I’m still in heaven and will be till God knows when . Utv.
Great result. We looked lethargic at the start and were just knocking long balls forward. I thought it was going to end in disappointment but what a finish.
We have a third of our total points for last season after 4 games. Incredible really. I guess the acid test will be how we bounce back from a defeat but I hope we can get enough points on the board to have a more relaxed season
I presume Davis was injured again. I wish we had another fit CF as we are light there until Wesley recovers and gets up to speed.
11 points above the bottom 3 😂
Louie Barry, 2 more goals today for U23’s against Wolves – no fear he can step up to first team squad if needed 🙂 actually only half joking – if he’s good enough etc.
Remember a certain 16 year old Rooney ……..
And we do have Traore who can play anywhere across attack.
Happy days.
UTV
Yes I was aware that Traore can apparently play that role. I would rather we didn’t need to rely on that though. I should have added that I feared the worst when Watkins went down in the first 10 mins and was limping for a little while after.
I’m just a pessimist 🤔
Just watched Wolves beat Leeds 1-0 and the fawning over Leeds was embarrassing. “A vision of perpetual motion, going forward, Leeds” was one of the comments.
I probably missed about 15-20 minutes of it, but I only remember the Wolves goalie touching the ball twice. Wolves had one dissallowed too.
Totally disrespectful to Wolves and I nearly turned it off because I felt sick.
Why are Sky all over Leeds? I don’t get it.
i have been saying the same thing since the season began, Badger
and if Belsa or what ever his name is is the messiah returned how come it took him 3 or 4 season to get them promoted.
And Leeds have had one good team for a couple of seasons back in the 70;s and thats it, no history.
it just re-enforces the belief that any team from the midlands are just there to make up the numbers and are lucky if the beat any other of the sky favourites
Don’t worry. When Leeds are ‘found out’ by the rest of the division, and scrabbling for points just above the drop-zone, the media will soon drop them.
About the New Year, I reckon…
Meanwhile, just spotted this on “B’ham Live” site: Gabby’s not impressed;
“Leeds are a myth, (now) maybe all the pundits will get out of Bielsa’s a***,” tweeted Agbonlahor shortly after the final whistle blew at Elland Road on Monday.”
Yup, he could’ve waited until after we’ve played them…
Wesley’s return is an exciting prospect. The first year is often difficult when coming to the Premier League. Look at Berkamp’s first few months. He’ll give us an added dimension, and must be like a kid at Christmas waiting for a chance to get back into this team.
Fun times… For a bloody change!!!!!
P. S. The press bias is unbearable. Barely a mention on the Daily Express, a total rag anyway, just pieces about Liverpool having a new set of laces, and Citeh’s tea lady getting her hair done…
European super league anyone? I’m sure Leeds will be included because they have been brilliant in the Championship for so long. 😏
Things going great. I’m not too concerned about potential injuries. For a start the January window is not too far away. Besides that our bench will start to look quite good even without further signs!
Bench (potentially) – from January
Heaton, Wesley, Traore, Engels, Guilbert, Ramsey, Elmo, Taylor, Hause, Davis,
El Ghazi (any 3 out of that lot is not too shabby). Most of those now have PL experience and 7/8 of them played quite a lot of games last season. Shows how much we have improved in 12 months!
** Sorry, forgot Hourihane**
Kalvin Phillips is out for 6 weeks. We seem to be meeting teams at the right time and he will be a big miss for them. Liam Cooper their captain pulled out in the warm up against Wolves so another doubt.
Phillips wore the armband last night.
Blimey, they’ll be on their third choice.