The value of intelligent footballers was shown on Saturday

The unbeaten run goes on, it is now 12 games unbeaten, six victories and six draws. against West Ham we showed some of the spirit we demonstrated last season, a never say die attitude that turned games around for us. That same resolve turned things around against West Ham on Saturday, the substitutions playing a big part.

“It”s very important, before I remember people criticise me because we never change the plan and now we change a lot. When you have good players, clever players, intelligent players you can change and move the system and the position. 

“I am happy we change after the second half, the formation too, tried to not give the preference to West Ham I think was good. To have a different plan to play is always important. The players need to adapt different systems to try to perform better.”

The international break usually means we have to rest Erik Lamela and Son Heung-min because of all the travelling they have to do. This time though Lamela was injured so it was just Son, who has been carrying an ankle injury, that needed the rest, as predicted before the game. He came on and once again showed his value to us by making the difference.

Having intelligent footballers who can adapt to different systems quickly allows changes to be made from game to game or at half-time. We played three at the back against Arsenal and two up front against West Ham to occupy their three-man defence. We made the victory tough, it should have been a little easier.