No longer TOTL. And we won’t be until the new season starts. Well, that was a fluster-fuck. At least we did not lose the league today. That was in the three draws previously. Today was never about jumping ahead of City. We were however, outplayed but a dominant Brighton team.
For the first time this season – aside from City – we were outplayed. They had more possession and we didn’t take the opportunities that came our way. Too many times we wanted that extra touch. Whether it was Odegaard or Trossard. Yet, one might wonder what Trossard was doing on the pitch. For that you have to ask Madley. He mad so many aberrant decisions today.
We did not lose because of Madley but he how did he not book Caciedo for that foul on Martinelli. The man had to leave the game and yet, nothing? And their first goal. A clear foul on Kiwior? Neither he nor VAR seemed to see what we could all see. How can that be deemed not to be influence the game? Brighton were very good at breaking up the pace of the game in the first half. Both fouling and taking time on all restarts. They, intentionally, disrupted the rhythm of our game. And Madley allowed it to happen. But so did we. But then Madley also allowed this to happen when we played Newcastle at home. So a pattern is emerging with him. And it’s not a good one.
Today we had no answers to them. Our passing was not sharp and we gave the ball away too often. To be fair, that was because of their pressing. They played out from the back most of the time. Often we would win the ball back by pressuring them but then immediately turn the ball over again. Steele in their goal misplaced a number of passes but we could rarely build anything from it. They played a very high risk game but we were not able to capitalize on their mistakes. Yet, care of Trossard, we made one mistake, in the second half, in passing out from the back and they scored.
It felt like however long we played for today we would not score. Without Zinny and, for most of the game, Martinelli, we had little movement on our left. Everything seemed a little subdued. Maybe we’ve just ran out of steam. Odegaard was fairly quite aside from one shot from distance. Saka, closely marked all game, was unable to impose himself. And White was being ripped apart by the impressive Mitoma. Their long balls over the top continually threatened us.
Even with after a half-time break, we could not change the direction of the game. They controlled the game, passed relentlessly whereas we could not keep the ball. As dominant as we were last week Brighton were today. We had no answers to them. Arteta was unable to change the tempo of the game.
Quite frankly, we looked a little lost and surprised. This was Brighton fired up after their home loss to Everton. But, if you want to compete for the TOTL, you have to know how to deal with this type of game. And we didn’t. Jorghino was not able to build anything, Jesus worked hard but was unable to threaten their goal. He lost every header against the giant Dunk. But, why would we play long high balls up to him when he’s marked by a giant beanpole.
There was little enthusiasm or energy today. You kind of knew how Brighton would play but we had no answers. We were unable to control the ball or create much. I don’t think Steele really had any meaningful shots to save. We would get close but then fail to hit the target – aside from when Trossard hit the bar.
It was deflating to watch and just deflating to write about. I would not blame Gabriel or Kiwior. White was exposed too often but then Saka did few favours for him; he failed to track back too often. On the other side Tierney did not try to play inverted. And Xhaka missed Martinelli. Shame Caceido didn’t.
On their side MacAllister ran the game. No-one could get near him. They played out from the back and then launched long balls over our midfield. Their tactics were excellent and ours never changed. We kept on trying to do the same thing and yet our passing was not crisp enough. They were the better team today.
But it felt like we wilted, just lost confidence and self-belief. There were very few occasions where we really built any momentum and threatened. Maybe this is an overreaction to losing 0-3 at home. I can’t remember when this last happened. Even against City we managed to score one goal. Today though we were unable to pull them apart. On the other hand they were able to hit us on the counterattack with those long balls over the top. Mitoma really was a handful today.
Brighton are a good team – make no mistake. But we made far too many mistakes today. And Arteta will learn from this as well. He was too slow to adjust his tactics and system. His substitutions seemed ok, and it was good to see SRP again – even if he did nothing. But the directness of the team was missing. We were unable to really create. Nelson, added energy when he came on. But Trossard is not a midfield player. And that exposed Tierney as well.
So rather than continue to drone on about how flaccid we were today – and this will happen in any normal season – but should not have happened today, at this crucial time of the season. Instead, let’s focus on the abysmal TV coverage. I’ve noticed this in a number of games lately. And, it’s been a while since I’ve ranted on about this. But, please what is going on with the selection of pictures we’re seeing on the TV? Who is choosing to show endless replays when the game is in play? Who is deciding to have the camera lock in on the manager when there is play going on?
Today, when Brighton would choose to play the ball out from their goal-kicks – which is basically every goal kick. – instead of watching this we’d have shots of the manager or the most recent player to touch the ball or another unnecessary replay. Why can’t they just show us the game? Why do we have to see these random shots of the last player to touch the ball? And then hover on that player for 15 seconds?
It ruins the flow of the game. Also, when the play is on the wing, the close up camera shots make it impossible to see the flow of the team, the spaces available or the available options for the player. It’s like MTV is running the camera shots. It’s destined to give you a headache. Why can’t they offer either picture-in-picture so we can continue to watch the game or another feed that just shows the actual football match?
I caught some of the Everton City game. After their first goal they continued to show endless replays from minutely different angles. In the meantime City were winning the ball back and setting up their second goal. They managed to cut back just as City won the ball back for Gundogan cross the ball for their second goal.
It feels like there is an intentional stylistic change to make the game more “hip” or “interesting”. Yet, everyone wants to watch these games, That’s why the TV rights go for billions. So rather than try and make this an artsy-like experience and/or trying to capture the emotion of individuals in the crowd, can’t they just let us watch the actual game.
It is more fun though to rant on this than our team. After the season they have produced, landing second in the league, it seems churlish to rip them apart for this performance. Truth is the result was always going to be irrelevant as City just relentlessly march on. And, just, maybe, like the Sp*rs and Newcastle disaster at the end of last season this will be yet more fuel for next season.
I fear though for where this stylistic change in the use of camera angles and replays will take us. And there’s no obvious mechanism for providing feedback. It’s been getting worse for years but this weekend was ridiculous. I would pay good money to find out who is the right person to complain to.
In the meantime, we should just note that while the ugly man from the north has won player of the year, this is all Kane’s fault. If he would have joined them as he should have done, they would not have been so dominant. And it’s not like Sp*rs would have been any worse.
So, as dispiriting as today was, we can’t let that cloud over this season. We remain way ahead of where we thought we’d be. So are Brighton though. Arteta is not the only bright young thing managing in the PL. But we need to be careful now in our recruiting. We have found yet another impressive center half in Kiwior. We just need more in midfield. When Partey eventually came on again he remained off the pace.
I know it’s said that MacAllister is headed to Liverpool but I’d love him to join us. More so than Caceido. Have both MacAllister and Rice. That would be nice. And another forward. And maybe another full-back. We need to grow this squad because this year we’ve been a little short and next year, in the Champions League, we won’t be able to blood any youngsters. And Chelsea can’t possible be as awful as they were this year. Likewise, Liverpool. So, while we compete in the Champions League we’ll have tougher competition in the PL.
So say good bye to TOTL for this year. And start to relish the excellent season we’ve had – up until today. It’s the upward trajectory that counts. And whether we can learn lessons from performances like todays. We remain a young team with great potential. But as Brighton showed, this is true of others as well. We have to learn to take the opportunities as they present themselves. We have to develop a kill instinct. We missed that in our drawn games and that’s what cost us the league. But, just maybe, we weren’t quite ready. The table does not lie.
Two more games left. So, let’s enjoy them. Let’s play free of tension and fear. We have nothing to play for now apart from the joy of the game. And the fans now can show their appreciation for the unexpected season we’ve had.
-LB7