Match Ratings Ratings vs Brentford

[parj]

I'm delighted by that. Two fortunate goals for Brentford with the penalty (yes it was a penalty but it was such a light touch) and the deflection. We looked good in possession but just need some quicker link up player up top to make space and use those extra runners from midfield and full backs.

I'm going to say the defence was the best part today. They were brilliant. I genuinely only had a few shit my pants moments, which is a huge upgrade on last season. Last season they collapse.

Vic 6 - that's a keeper desperate to make an impression. Needs to calm down.

Royal - 8 - he is settling in for his new RB/CM role, and he looks confident doing it. Well taken goal too.

Romero - 8 - only short time but looked more composed

Sanchez - 7 - for a player that was ruined by Conte and the WHL faithful, that was a very good performance. People questioning his passing choices, he picked out his players and kept it simple (5th highest number of touches on the pitch?) and made a fantastic challenge to prevent another goal. People need to stop making him the scapegoat. He keeps going and building his confidence, he is a good 3rd choice.

VDV 7 - would have been an 8 but I think he committed a sin not once scanning to see Mbuemo had pulled away. One look and he never slides in to block. But the lad is quick.

Udogie - 8 - what a f'in player. He is a beast.

Kulu /Son / Richy - 6 - they weren't bad but they need to quickly adapt to playing possession football again.

Bissouma - 9 - was superb. A few times he was jogging back which annoyed me but it was like watching Dembele today.

Madisson - 8 - was brilliant on the ball. Who would have guessed having a real attacking midfielder would help!!!

Ange - 8 - 5th game? Turned us around quick. No way we close to finding rhythm yet. Didn't want him to begin with but if he carries on like this and we get more confident, we could be really good. Rated him for listening to the players when they called about Romero head injury.

 

[MiakSarawak]

Bissouma was totally gassed at the end. What a treat to have someone in the midfield with so much skill who is also such a warrior.

Yes you could see he was tired. But what a beast he is.

 

[Messy11]

I thought that was a decet showing, given the week and build up prep we've had + adapting to new system. We look 1/2 yard short of pace in certain areas, notably up front. Not sure if that as a result of the pre-season disruption (eg no Roma match etc) or just getting used to quicker pace required. Brentford were well drilled and organised, but last seasons issue of not being able to break sides down seemed a bit evident - this time due to the tip of the spear rather than creativity behind - Maddison was excellent, Richi less so (and I'd be interested to see Son & Richi switch to be honest).

I thought we slightly missed an opportunity to break them down by bringing on Sarr instead of Lo Celso, but was pleased to see Ange make a change where it was obviously needed and Sarr has earned the right as much as Lo Celso;. Skippy not quite on it today and didn't seem to offer too much in either direction.

Scores:
9: Bissouma - was everywhere, won every ball, found every pass. Beast mode today.
8: Maddison, Uddogie, VdV: Maddison just oozes class. Underrated workload as well - see him being skipper on the pitch is Son's form doesnt pick up. VdV looks calm and unflappable - very good. Uddogie basically the same, which given their prem debuts away from home bodes very well
7: Emerson, Viccario, Davinson, Romero - Royal would have been an 8+ but too easily beaten for Brentford's second. Otherwise very good. A much more natural RB than RWB and seems well able to take instruction - great movement, positioning and strike for our 2nd. Sanchez was decent again today and think he has a future in rotation TBH - unpopular opinion as that may be, he has earned the right over the last 180+ mins
6: Richi, Kulu: Huffed & puffed, but not much else. Richi has good work rate, but I don't think has the physicality to lead the line or attach the ball in this system
5: Skip, Son: As good as Skip was vs Barcelona, he seemed utterly average today. Didn't detract but didn't add anything. Passing was fine, but not constructive really - lots of neat tidy sideways / backwards passing. Movement was fine, but didn't really achieve too much and felt like in the face of competition (Sarr / Lo Celso), he was just a bit average. Son seems to have lost 2 yards of pace. Nothing he did seemed to come off to me - think he'd be better leading the line (maybe)

 

[yido_number1]

Honorable mention for Sanchez coming off the bench, thought he did pretty well today. Honestly just pleased not to see Dier coming on but Sanchez was decent today.

Udogie is absolutely mustard and makes it look effortless.

Vdv was unlucky with their goal but did everything else really well. Lovely to have that raw pace back there.

Maddison did really well not to get sent off. Two assists for my dream team was lovely but would like to see him on the ball playing killer passes more. Great start though and showed maturity not to get sent off.

 

[sparx100]

Enjoyed the game and to think this just the start. Udogie was brilliant as was Maddison with the latter edging motm.

Did not enjoy Skipp who I thought was lacklustre and Vicario needs to get more confidence as I think he needs to be more assertive and more fo a leader.

 

[Frank Blank]

Maddison, Bissouma, Udogie

 

[THOWIG]

Well well well what do we have here

I really enjoyed that. I thought Maddison was class as was Bissouma. Add another of that ilk, as I keep saying, and we have one of the best midfields in the league.

Son and Richarlison need replacing in time. Emerson also just does not give me confidence.

 

[SG7]

Vicario - Concerning

Royal - Iffy. Some good moments and some difficult moments defensively.
Sanchez and van de Ven - Very good
Udogie - Beast

Bissouma - Beast
Skipp - Very average
Maddison - Great

Son and Richarlison - Poor. With Son you know he can go to the next level but Richarlison looks like a big problem. That chance Richarlison had in the 88th minute; I'd expect a lot better for a £60m player.
Kulusevski - Don't understand why he wasn't subbed. Just looks a bit slow and lacking in dynamism. Feel like getting Porro on with his runs could've made us more dangerous.

 

[SpursForever71]

Bissouma a 9 for me, Maddison 8 - the two standaouts.
Personally i think Son is wasted on the wing, and i dont think Richy is up to it through the middle.
Maybe switch them for the next game, or peresic LW and Son in the middle

 

[dimiSpur]

Bissouma, Maddison, Udoghi in that order.
Then vdv, sanchez, Emerson, Skipp
Then the front 3
Then Vicario.

Hoping goalie was first day nerves. Once they start getting used to each other I’m sure he’ll get better. At worst he was like Hugo at his worst.

We need another top striker and CB.

Lo Celso and Solomon should’ve come on.

Bissouma was crazy good. Maddison is even better than I thought he was. Udoghi apparently plays everywhere and plays there really well!

Overall very pleased. We absolutely dominated a team who rarely lose at home. Looked dodgy at the back at times but that’ll get better as time goes on.

You've summed up my views very well. Get another CB and 2 attackers (winger and striker) with the Kane money and we're on for a good year. Keeper is worrying.

 

[Nice One Cyril]

Very promising performance... Top marks for Bissouma, Royal and Maddison... Not so impressed with Sonny & Kulu.

 

[Annabel]

That back four had 2 debutants and has never played together before, and we’re still better than last season’s defence. Much better.
Bissouma 8.5
Udogie 8
Maddison 8
VdV 8
Royal 7
Sanchez 7
Skipp 6
Vicario 6
Son 5.5
Richarlison 5.5
Kulu 6
Peresic NET
Sarr NET
Romero NET

 

[Tucker]

Thought we were lacklustre. A lot of encouraging signs, but also a lot of things that are cause for concern.

Vicario 6/10

Emerson 9/10
Romero 7/10
(Sanchez) 8/10
Van De Ven 7/10
Udogie 8/10

Skipp 6/10
(Sarr) 6/10
Bissouma 9/10
Maddison 8/10

Kulusevski 5/10
Richarlison 4/10
Son 4/10
(Perisic) 6/10

 

[absolute bobbins]

Kulu was dreadful. Skipp, Son and Richy were mid.

Happy with the rest

 

[stewartd]

Im so pleased there was no social media or fan sites when Jennings first played for us as the gyp Vicario is getting is nothing that he would have got when he first joined us from Wartford. He turned out to be our best ever keeper give this kid a few games before you write him off, none of the goals were his fault yet the scores hes getting so far would make you think hes a hopeless case.

 

[piedpiper]

I cannot understand people getting on Vicario already. IMO did everything he had to wasnt at fault for either goal and showed he’s happy with the ball.

Bissouma was by far best player on pitch, Maddison looked sharp and Udogie is going to be a beast

I don't think they picking on him.... more pointing out his performance which was a bit nervy but I'm sure he will grow into his position in the PL in the coming games.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

A big step in the right direction.

Weaknesses are there for all to see. But mostly a positive display.

I was a bit surprised Ange didn't bring on LoCelso to help the excellent Maddison though. As Kulu and Son were not really helping create chances. I'm sure that'll improve as time goes on. Although Richy was starved of supply as a result. I can only recall 1 decent chance he had as a result of a pass?

I think Solomon could have caused Brentford a few issues also.

Overall, given how Brentford play, that was a positive first game.

The new lad was great at the back considering he's been thrown straight in. One fast dude.

Some more work on shape, more dynamicism upfront and things will click. Can't wait for Bentancur to partner up with Biss (who was awesome today).

 

[SlotBadger]

Nearly 70% possession, with more than 700 passes. What a difference the philosophy of a coach/manager can make.

Bissouma was easily my player of the match, but Maddison, Royal, and Udogie were all excellent (Romero, too).

Great debut for van de Van who was unfortunate with the goal (it deflected prior to his touch).

Sanchez was decent and made a glorious recovery block soon after coming on.

Vicario will need plenty of time, plus patience from us fans, before he can be fairly judged.

Disappointed with all of our front three, and was hoping to see Solomon get on for Kulusevski.

Overall, very happy. My only concern is requiring a regular goalscorer.

 

[DeadleyLedley]

Vicario 6
Royal 7
Romero 7 (Sanchez 7)
Van de ven 7
Udogie 8
Bissouma 9
Skipp 6
Maddison 8
Deki 6
Richarlison 5
Son 5

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

If there’s anyone left in the Conte camp, Bissouma’s performance should’ve tipped it. The fact he so criminally underused him goes to show what a moron that guy was.