MattVillaPortsmouth

Yeah I never understood the not using Nobbs much, some games were crying out for her in that Kirby/Toone role. Staniforth I sort of get but I would have took her over Coombes in World Cup, but there are many in the Eng squad that won’t/don’t get many minute Lotte Wubben-Moy, Robinson (not in this squad), Jess park to name a few. I see Grace Clinton is in, could have just as well been Laura Blindkilde Brown. Surprised Kirby jumps straight back in also. Great for Parker, it’s good to have a few in squad called up, don’t think she will get many minutes but it’s good to get in the squad for future,.

Agree Blindkilde brown put a shift in and seemed to be everywhere, but was equally guilty of giving the ball away cheaply in many occasions, as was Magill (maybe as someone said movement up too wasn’t great, but Daly is only 1 player, hard to shake 5 defenders constantly). Our passing/ball retention was not great, you can defend resolutely but you can also be smart with the ball, we did one but not the other. I maybe a little harsh, but that’s down to expectation I think I was excited about our prospects, I rate ward and I rate our squad just don’t feel we have been anywhere near good enough (yet) (and I don’t mean just winning, in general play), neither top 4 team we have played have been that good I don’t think and we lacked ideas against Liverpool - maybe a hangover from no real off season and preseason. Unfortunately 12mins of added time, was about right if the new rules are being implemented and the current push to give the crowd maximise bang for buck - it has been pretty common, like it or not it’s the rules being implemented. None of it was for time wasting (although their multi ball system was very one sided). It’s football, these things always happen this way - you can only hold on so long. Corsie injury 2 mins Maritz Injury 3 mins Domselaar injury 1 min Daly injury 5 mins Plus 4 sub windows (9 subs in total). Time will be added when the following happens: Goals and subsequent celebrations Substitutions Injuries and treatment time (if required) Penalties (from moment of offence to the whistle for the penalty kick) Red cards (from moment of offence to when the player leaves the field

There’s no denying they were trying, and it was nice to a number of them spent a lot of time with supporters at the end, Lucy Parker, Salmon and I think it was Leon in particular. Back to the game, the feeling at the ground was it was inevitable once they had one they would get two. Yes the players had heart, put themselves on the line but unfortunately skill/technique just wasn’t there, we were very very poor with the ball when we had it - yes arsenal are a top 4 team, but they are/were today far from being the arsenal of old and themselves have been poor so far. We gave the ball away cheaply, Rachel Daly cut a very isolated figure, often gestering to teams mate (not sure if was frustration or a little more). The injury time, is now the norm - but most I thought was justified, Rach Daly amd Corsie were down for fair chunks of time, plus dVD and Mas, in addition to subs 10-12mins was (in the way it’s managed these days about right) A lot of last season was momentum, we need to get that win in the next few games - the season is short enough in games as it is. Plus from today was Olivia MacCoughlin getting some minutes. Just because someone’s opinion is different doesn’t make it ignorant

I would say Liverpool and arguable Tottenham have maybe not got the so called bigger named players (Jenna Clark was exceptional yesterday for plop) but have had a better window than us - just because we signed 2 young England squad players and VdD (who I agree has potential to be World Class) - but she replaced an equally good keeper Parker looks good, but not really a CDM/CM - and when Dali and Pacheco are back fully where does she fit in. Equally only 1 of Leon/Salmon might play, although I still think Lehman has lots to offer. We will see throughout the season, but we so few games losing 2 already puts us massively behind the 5th or higher challenge. With only 2 players missing our bench was woefully short yesterday, and even with those 2 it still only the maximum allowed. It maybe I’m a little frustrated as we looked really good last year, I just feel we have missed the chance to break away from the other teams and really push the top 4.

Only 7 subs today again, yes we have Kenza and Kirsty to come back in. But I think we are a few quality players short still. An upgrade at GK, but there is not much between HH and DvD (if we are talking closing the gap or breaking the top 4) Patten and Hansen were already here Georgia won’t get many minutes. So Ebony, Lucy, Adriana to replace Evie, Rueshia, Remi and Emily - yes improvements but not really in starting 11 (presume Dali comes back in midfield, with either Parker or Corsie dropping out) Ebony/Adriana to replace Aleshia . Not really counting the retired or those with very little minutes. I don’t think we were particularity unlucky to lose both games, we didn’t create enough and look to easy to play round and through. Arsenal will be another big ask (hopefully we get something as will be there to enjoy it) but I can’t see it unfortunately. In: Daphne van Domselaar (transfer from FC Twente) Lucy Parker (transfer from West Ham) Anna Patten (transfer from Arsenal) Kirsty Hanson (permanent transfer from Man United) Ebony Salmon (transfer from Houston Dash) Adriana Leon (transfer from Man United) Georgia Mullet (Academy to professional) Out: Evie Rabjohn (heading to Manchester United) Remi Allen Emily Gielnik Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (heading to London City Lionesses) Ruesha Littlejohn (heading to London City Lionesses) Natasha Harding (retired) Elisha N’Dow Sian Rogers (heading to Charlton Athletic) Hannah Hampton (heading to Chelsea) Meaghan Sargeant (retired) Natasha Harding (retired) Freya Gregory (loaned to Reading for 2023/24) Others around us, maybe not had the big(ish) names but have improved their starting XI’s

I fear we have stood still or at least not progressed as much as others around us over the summer. We look really leggy in the first 2 games, it’s not going to get easier next few weeks. Need Dali back quick.

Too slow, if teams don’t try and press we don’t have a switch or drive in us. Still should get this over the line

As soon as DCL went through you knew it was a goal, so black and white to Emi, instills zero confidence - didn’t do a lot wrong, just doesn’t have the same effect -Emi saves that amd we stay in the game

Hopefully never plays another minute

Really really piss poor half, luckily Everton are only 1 shot on target better than is so far, so still in this. Tielemans looks so unfit it’s crazy, just stands around needs to get gone.

I said it last season, will say it again - such a poor footballer, offers nothing

Talk the talk, try walking the walk - woeful

I think it’s harder for him at moment, with diaby sort of next to him it takes a large part away from Ollie - the part he is exceptional at, running the channels and chasing down anything. With Diaby and now Torres passing we aren’t doing that (Mings ball into channels), and when we do we are looking for diaby through middle. We are getting goals from different areas, so it’s not all bad. A lot of the times his runs are the same as others, but that’s al about the training ground. I feel once JJ is back we will start seeing Olly score more at a better strike rate. I don’t think putting Duran in will mean more goals, we played different yesterday as we were pushing.

Didn’t think he done anything to suggest he should start games, overall was sloppy and frustrating - but he does have that pass in his locker, I think he needs to play quicker and him and Emi B would be on the same wave length more than any of our players, just can’t see him ahead of Dougie (who was clearly MotM, bouba , SJM or JJ. Europe and cups he prob starts, and then need to play his way in - less talk more action,

Pau looking better than he has, zaniolo, diaby both good - dougie masterful again . If only those Watkins chances had fallen to diaby. I think we have played well, but for nothing unless we win. I get the frustration at being slow, I’m the same as we look so good when play quick ball - but that’s all part of the tactics

Ollie’s biggest problem is he is either unplayable or non existent - they’re sis no in between. Might as well not been there today, I think we will regret not getting another striker.

Poor half, these are the games we miss Mings the most. Liverpool not even out of second gear. Worrying thing, is it’s the same as Newcastle - undone by the same thing over and over again in a half. Once. Twice maybe is forgivable but it’s constantly the same. Desire also seems to be missing. all that being said 1 quick goal, and we can get something - that’s crazy

I like the look of him. I feel if the score was different or when he has settled he passes that to Ollie all day long, he just wanted the moment - which I like. If/When gets going we have some really good options moving forward.

Was he really that bad - No. Tried to play the way we want to, sometimes distribution didn’t work out but then the risks we take regardless on who’s between the posts. Not his biggest fan, but can’t grumble today.

Anyone else turn the WTF was that touch from Watkins into a cheer!!

Watched on Optus Sport and it sounded awesome, even showed periods of the holte end in full action - was a thing of beauty

Deserves to be on page 1 lol - some great performances today across the park, but Dougie is pure class, when played right he makes us purr

Was worried when I saw the team sheet, but thought he was class today, was everywhere when needed, knew when to plug gaps and kept ball moving.

Totally agree with Rabjohn, thought she showed excellent feet a few times and some good recovery runs/tackles (although she always looked tired lol). Thought Nobbs was excellent, covered so much ground and always looking for ball. Was an odd game, but we put together the better moves. Nice to see a few youngster get a run out. really enjoyed the day, real nice family feel to it

That’s the Ramsey we saw before - not even counting the goal, forward drives, quick incisive forward passing, covered all the pitch (with Dougie), more of this please