That Newcastle game is really odd isnt it? Almost am aberration of the 13 games Ancelotti has played.
On the whole we look very calm when ahead, and even in the derby we looked very calm under pressure. I dont think the performance level is miles better, but that knowledge of getting over the line is almost unrecognisable now. Under Silva, after that 1st half, with a fatigued squad we lose that game. Its Fulham away last year all over.
In fairness the penny appears to be dropping with a lot of the players. I think Pickford has actually been very good the last 2 games. Not just the saves made, but how hes held himself and how hes commanded his box. Likewise Sigurdsson has done well from the bench. Nothing flash, but just doing what needs to be done to avoid conceding.
I think that one who stands out not to have done that is Davies really. He still seems to make the same mistakes. Sigurdsson is very limited, but him coming on changed the game yesterday. That says more about Davies than Sigurdsson. He needs to get with the programme.
We obviously have a lot of players out, and it's a crying shame Gbamin got injured as we miss that presence, but it's hard not to be impressed with the shape/application, even though the quality is still missing. There was a spell yesterday where we just kept the ball for 3 minutes. Just completely wound the clock down. It was good to see.
