Happy with the performance in the end. It wasn't a test, in that we didn't have much defending to do, but we had to break down a low block and that's something we really struggle with.
Actually, we really struggled at times today and it's the reason why we still need more creativity in our side and must move the ball much quicker against sides that are happy to just defend.
Going forward, I'm hoping we see more of the 4231 formation we saw today.
To me, it is the most balanced formation, and the formation we used for the majority of the season when we came second under Jose.
Obviously we still need to add more players, but I'm encouraged with the energy and pressing our players showed, along with some good bits of interplay.
What we need to do is start wide, though. Teams are obsessed with scoring the perfect looking goal by going through the middle and being intricate.
Irwin and Webber touched on it post match. James got in behind numerous times in the first half because he stretched Perth's back line. This gave the full back a choice to stay tight to the centre back or push over, leaving a gap in between full back and centre back for James to exploit. For whatever reason, we started to play narrow and unless we scored the perfect goal, our game became very predictable.
Second half, we pretty much played the same. Difference is, we had pass masters like Pogba and Mata on the pitch and Gomes and Greenwood, who are good in tight spaces. This meant that we could play that intricate football.
It all depends on the way we want to play, but good signs. Hopefully the high pressing doesn't stop.
FT, much needed 3pts.
What odd praise considering who we were playing.
