Det ligger altså an til at Koch/Struijk blir midtstopper-pairingen denne gangen, selv om Cooper kan klare å bli frisk i tide...
For Wolves blir det spennede om flere i Portugaltroppen har covid (neste test er fredag).
Wolves er et godt lag som ikke har kommet godt i gang denne sesongen mht poeng.
Jeg tar noen stikkord hentet fra waccoe:
Wolves are a good team and unlike anything we have played this season, they dont mind conceding possesion can move from defence to attack in a few passes, can go through middle or out wide, and have a very good goalscorer, will be intersting to see how both teams match up, can see us being fluid in our play while they try catch us on the break, first goal gonna be vital in this one and can see more headscratching from myself as I try to work out what formation we are using as we seemed to have changed a lot more during the game in the prem than what we did in champ, how many times already this season have we seen opposition look like they are turning the screw and a tweak in formation flips it on its head, Have really enjoyed the tactical side of our play this season compared to near total domination of nearly every team in champ, the real genius of Bielsa showing during games, players have ultimate faith and are standing up to a man. Really looking forward to this one.
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They've had a pretty mixed start to the season, I thought they looked really good against City (despite the defeat), then they got battered by a poorly-rated West Ham side.
We have nothing to fear going into it, think we'll have most of the ball, just have to wary of Traore and Podence on the break, both absolutely electric.
Can see a score draw but wouldn't be surprised it we beat them.
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I think Santo is more of a tactically astute coach than some of the coaches bielsa has faced so far. Certainly think we can give them a decent game but believe they are quality all over the pitch. They are a bit more cautious than the teams we have played so far. May have to show patience in this one. How we handle Jimenez will be key.
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Honestly think this is the real benchmark, so far, for our season. Liverpool/City were free hits for games within first few opening games, and felt we should be getting 3-4 points against Fulham and Sheff United based on where we think we're at. (Even better we got 6).
Wolves are where we want to be in say 2 seasons time (Or even surpass them), firmly established in the league edging towards Europe, should have done better in cups last year, set with good foundations, a good manager, and solid internationals (mainly Portuguese) who play religiously to an ethos and style. I don't think they'll underestimate us, just hope they can't go punch for punch with us, and that's what I can't decide at the mo.
Before the start of their season I'd have put Everton in a similar bracket, these are the mid table teams we need to pick up points against, especially at home, get to 40points quickly, and see where we go from there. It's a block of upper to lower mid table clubs we've got coming up over the next 6 games.
Costa with a point to prove against his old club, wanting to show he's good enough in the league with the right club, Harrison back, defense unknown. Don't like us as favorites with bookies, but should be getting something out of this.
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Portugisere:
Patricio (keeper)
Semedo (right back)
Moutinho (midfield)
Neves (midfield)
Podence (attacking midfielder)
Any more?
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Til slutt, formen FØR en international break betyr gjerne ingenting når pausen er over:
These post international break games are always unpredictable, not sure yet if it'll be more or less so now we're in the Prem.