We’ve had a shaky start to the season but think about this, before we started up in Sunderland, how many points would you expect from our first three games? I had us down as getting four points. I fancied us getting all three up in the North East, then I didn’t really fancy us getting anything against Chelsea and maybe a draw in Nottingham.
So, for me, we were only a point from where I would have expected us to be… From seemingly nowhere, we actually produced a great performance and got all three points against Forest. The players would have left to join their respective countries full of confidence after that performance.
Potter’s Crucial Formation Change
I was interested to see Potter change formation and personnel for the Forest game. I felt like he had to do something after the first two games because if you’re playing three at the back, three centre backs, and you concede 11 goals in three games, including the League Cup game at Wolves, something’s got to change.
Then there’s the story of Mavropanos coming into the starting line up at Forest. He actually looked alright. For me, he always looks like he’s got a mistake in him but clearly he didn’t have a mistake up in Nottingham, or if he did, we got away with it. I would imagine he’ll want to stick with the winning line up and formation again unless one or two people get injured.
Goalkeeping Growing Pains and Transfer Timing
As for our new goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, I felt sorry for him coming in and not having that much time with the defence before the Sunderland game and then conceding eight in those two games. It really was a baptism of fire. I hope Potter keeps faith in him for a while yet.
In terms of our summer transfer window, only time will tell us if it’s been a success. I think that Fernandes looks like a decent player but again, I don’t understand why all these deals were done at the last minute. Maybe if these deals had been done earlier, they could’ve had more of pre-season with us and maybe we could’ve had a better start.
Kudus Returns: Ambition vs. Loyalty
I’m writing this ahead of the visit of Spurs to London Stadium and the return of Kudus. Was I surprised by his move to Tottenham? Not really. Not in this day and age. That’s just the way things are now, I think every player has their price and certainly more players now have ambition.
I understand why he’s gone. He’s probably on a better contract and he’s got Champions League football so he may have viewed it as a no brainer but obviously not every fan will see it that way. I’m sure Kudus will get a similar reception to Declan Rice, if not maybe a little bit worse.
Following Kudus out the door were Alvarez and Aguerd. Football is all about opinions… Potter has got to live by these decisions. He’s possibly got the squad he may want with perhaps one or two additions so rightly or wrongly, he’s now going to get judged on that. I still think we’re in that eighth, ninth or tenth bracket for the season.
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