I watched the game in full twice to make sure I saw what I saw.
We were fortunate with 3 of the 5 goals (slip for the first, deflection for the 2nd and the ball falling to Bruno off the defender for his hatrick). The scoreline flattered us overall and the amount of shots went up after Ipswich capitulated when it went 3.1.
We shaped in 442 off the ball and a 424 when on the ball, but the front 4 weren't static and constantly dropping deep or running in behind which wore Ipswich down over time.
Lammens was impressive and assured. Martinez brought the line breaking passes we missed against Hull, to help progress through midfield. Mainoo was very impressive, he looked more mobile than either Tielemans or Santos have looked so far, and was everywhere he needed to be on attacking and defensive transitions.
Cunha was constantly on the move and caused them issues interchanging with Bruno and he got his assist and won the penalty so a much better and sharper showing this week.
Now to the bad parts, Shaw looks finished at the top level. Fatawu, another winger that had him on toast for about 25 mins during the game and was unlucky not to get two assists in that time of going directly at Shaw in 1 v 1s.
Tielemans was caught napping on defensive and attacking transitions. He's not playing with enough urgency and with it being his first two games it can't be anything other than he hasn't physically got it. He was always last into the defensive 442 shape today off the ball. When he got the ball he was easily closed down and gave the ball away far too many times under little pressure. He's not going to be a starter later in the season as he can't do what Baleba, Santos and Mainoo will and plug the gaps well. He's somewhat of a CM luxury player and Mainoo carried him today which is a good sign for Mainoo.
Mbuemo is direct and willing but he doesn't have the sharpness, or maybe he's not in the required shape to be truly successful as our winger. He's got so much ability and if he got sharper he'd be unstoppable, but since the start of last season, at times he looks like he's not going to get the very best out of himself and Amad will have another chance of displacing him on the right wing this season.
Rashford was bright and he did put a shift in today to start the press and win the ball back especially if he lost it in the first place. He'll battle Cunha for the left wing position but Cunha still takes it once Sesko is fully fit and reintegrated into the starting lineup.
We did still loft in crosses when Sesko wasn't on the pitch and that seems like wasted effort and we should be more patient.
Overall the first game at home was important to win and we did that. The win and some of the crazy stats we're seeing after the game shouldn't mask or cloud our shortcomings. We definitely need a starting left back if Carricks not going to start Dorgu at LB over Shaw.
We also need another number 9 if Carricks not going to pick Zirkzee when Sesko's not available to start upfront. So it's over to the scouting and recruitment team for the last 2 days of the transfer window. They need to get the two players in, and atleast Zirkzee out.
Carrick I feel needs to bench Tielemans and show him it's not been good enough so far, rather than overlook it and keep Mainoo or Santos on the bench who are bringing more much needed intensity. If Carrick can get De Ligt or Yoro in at RCB I think we'll be better than with Maguire. I want to see Yoro succeed and reach his potential but he's got to grab the bull by the horns, and be more aggressive to take Maguire's place. Maguire at this stage should be 5th choice centreback, so we can push higher with the defensive starters, and transitioning to be playing Heaven and Yoro more often. Heaven and De Ligt, or Martinez and Yoro are partnerships that give us the balance of youth, mobility and experience.
