My take:
-Decent enough performance against another side who came here with the aim of frustrating us.
-We created some great chances with some lovely football.
-We are a much better team with Kluivert in, like I said previously. Unless the number ten is a ‘second attacker’ then Dom just becomes too isolated for us to be an effective attacking force. Billing is a good player but just doesn’t have the attributes to play that role in this team, nor does Scott.
-On the subject of Scott, I’m struggling to see what it is that he offers us at present. I get that he’s young but I can’t really work out what type of midfielder he is supposed to be, doesn’t look ready for top flight football to me. Doesn’t seem anywhere near robust enough at present to compete for duels and frequently loses the ball in dangerous areas. He is young but so are Kerkez, Zabarnyi and Dango, and with all three of them you can at least see glimpses (or more than glimpses) of what they can offer, with Scott I don’t really see it at present.
-As I’ve said all along, Semenyo is a player. How we were able to sign a player if his talents is beyond me. Incredible pace, power, dribbling and strike from both feet.
-Cook excellent again, does such an important job but very few will acknowledge it. Dark horse for player of the season for anyone who understands the game (I wasn’t a fan of his previously so can’t be accused of bias.)
-Zabarnyi will play for Man City one day. Our fans hyped about Ake but this guy is clear of him already, and I’m not being hyperbolic no. He really is that good.
-Would really like to see more of Unal, looks very promising in glimpses.
Agree about the game, decent and deserved win though not dominating.
-Regarding Billing and Kluivert, would the opinion differ if Billing's shot that skimmed outside the post and the saved header went in? Kluivert absolutely fits the system well, probably better than Billing, but sometimes I think opinions can too easily be swayed by goals. Billing looked quite good in the first half to me, like a player really trying to stake a claim to the starting spot and a bit unfortunate to not get any results from his effort. I'm not saying he should start over Kluivert (who fits the system better it seems), but looking at performances like this and when he was subbed in against Luton before that game was called off, I think he is able to perform in Iraola's system.
-Scott, I think, is mostly a form issue. He has had some of the glimpses too, like his goal against Tottenham and the run that set up a goal for Kluivert earlier in the season. Just needs to find some consistency, which isn't too unexpected for his age. Withholding judgement until he has another year or two with us, there definitely is promise in him despite current form.
-Full agreement on Semenyo. Better on the wing than as a striker I'd say as well, since he seems to benefit particularly from being able to isolate his opponent and drive at them, which is less available in a more central role.
-Same with Cook, his versatility has been a major plus.
-Will slightly disagree with the Zabarnyi comparison to Ake, just that I don't think he's quite hit the point of surpassing. Already close to if not equal, but personally will want to see him maintain this level for a longer period before I'll say he's surpassed Ake (though him managing with various CB partners this season does put him in a good light). Definitely bound for a top Champions League team in his future, just hope we can get another year or two before selling for a massive fee. Getting him was an absolute coup.
-I've been impressed with Unal from what we've seen so far. Not quite to Solanke's level yet, no, but reminds me of Solanke's earlier seasons where I had confidence that he'd eventually be able to find consistency for us. Makes me a bit less worried about possibly losing Solanke in the summer, though I'd prefer to keep him of course.