biggest difference to me year over year on top all things mentioned - are that we clearly drop of a cliff when it comes to depth. Difference is Bob would refuse to adjust the talent on the field to his vision or philosophy and so would try to shoehorn and manage these kids into situations or things they weren't good at or would just become lost and deer in the headlights. That's when we'd fall off in prior years when we'd have a strong first half and we'd just unravel it in after 75min.

Herdman and his staff at least today... were able to bring on the younger guys/depth pieces and still subtly adjust the game plan to their strengths/abilities. Man managing the players at his disposal vs. just trying to ram them into the same scheme and hope they can grit it out.

Lads were dialed in today. awesome result, good foundation to build on. No knee slaps or real anger from the italians- good start. Insigne almost sniped that first free kick, which is the closest he's been in a FK in a year lol. Happy with the result, LFG