Don Pacifico Sure, but this is the reality of elite sports - you either sink, or swim. Now, it would be helpful if some of these guys were thrown an armband occasionally, but given how well the first XI have been performing, I find it difficult to see where the reserves could have been thrown in. And even where they have been, like Tomiyasu, he dropped a stinker last night.
That being said, I think Eddie Nketiah's form this season has been very interesting. I was quite vocal in the run up to the window, saying you don't give someone the #14 shirt and a new contract only to sign a new striker to play in front of him when we lose Jesus to injury. Some on Twitter disagreed with me on the basis of his sub appearances and form in the Europa League - and yet, here we are with 4 goals in the 4 games which have followed the resumption. I wouldn't go so far as to say we haven't missed a beat, but Eddie does present a different and very credible threat to our #9. I think Eddie presents both an argument that players need time and that you have to be ready to go when called upon.
On that note, whilst I felt quite optimistic about Sambi's chances in the first team this season, it seems incredibly clear that the gap between him and the majority of the guys he's competing with for first team football is vast, and probably too much to be bridged. At least in the near future.
I'm sure it didn't escape anyone's notice that our goals arrived within minutes of Xhaka replacing Sambi in addition to Zinchenko replacing Tierney - somebody else it feels as though the team has evolved beyond.
