Well.
Where to start? I can only start by assuming all the Cooper-out bedwetters won’t read this.
I thought we were decent yesterday, by some way our best performance of the season. We showed intensity from the off, players were determined to win their duels, and you could see a team working together & for each other.
The selections of Ndidi & Ayew made perfect sense. Ndidi showed his limitations in possession but lead the press superbly with Vardy. While Ayew did what he was brought here to do: held the ball, carried it up the pitch, drew fouls & protected his full back. Expect to see that 433 against top 8 sides, because it largely worked.
The timing of the first substitutions was spot on IMO. We were on top & looking likely to get the next goal, so why change? The reason to change was Villa scoring against the run of play, & Cooper reacted immediately. The change then to 4141 worked too. We actually ended in stoppage time playing 316!
More positives: Mads was superb, the back four wasn’t going to be embarrassed by pace, Okoli showed promise on his full PL debut, as did Skipp & Ayew.
We lost to a better team & because we as a unit were asleep for their first.
For the first time this season I have hope. I can see a plan. We were well coached yesterday, and I have some optimism that we might get the results we need against bottom half teams.