3 issues to be addressed

[blueconverse]

Has anyone else noticed that we seem to be losing possession alot from our own throw in's. I've been keeping half an eye on it in recent games, there's nobody really moving into positions that allow them to get the ball, opposition players are putting pressure on and we end up losing it.

Its why we are so bad are progressing the ball forward. Most of our players receive a pass do a 1 2 and stand still. Only Rodriguez consistently moves after passing to give the option. Absolute dross like WBA play better football than us at times.

 

[BornBlue76]

Got to admit the serenity I feel at having given up seeing actual positive football by us this season is wonderful. It was the game we won v WBA that I didn't even watch that lead to such realisation that its only points that matter.. Zen. My hope to be entertained (which is what passing and movement is called in GOT these days) crushed. My spirit floated away as I now watch apathetically waiting for the whistle to decide how many points we got. Nothing else is worth caring about.. At peace.

 

[Gilbert..]

They're reappearing again and again even before Carlo was here because the players in our team are largely crap. We need a really good summer window to cement ourselves as a top 6 side. We're probably 3 windows away from being a top 4 side. That's the reality imo.

This basically. Still work in progress. Last main window was good. January is more miss than hit as you dont tend to get quality.
So its really only the summer window.
3 were decent last year. Another 3 would be great. And it knocks the likes iwobi down the pecking order.

 

[Radzinski radishes]

Welcome to the forum mate.

Some good points there and I think Ashley Cole was bang on with his comments.

Cheers mate.

 

[Saint Domingo]

This basically. Still work in progress. Last main window was good. January is more miss than hit as you dont tend to get quality.
So its really only the summer window.
3 were decent last year. Another 3 would be great. And it knocks the likes iwobi down the pecking order.

They have to be resilient. James and Allan haven’t been available enough, so for most of the season it’s been last season’s team with Godfrey and Docuoure added (which has made a massive difference) and occasionally we get a good spell from James that lead to some eye catching results. To get to the next level we need those 4 summer signings available almost every game, we need Gbamin available, and we need probably 3 or 4 first team players brought in.

We’ve recently bought Klaasen Schneiderlin Gomes Gbamin Delph Allan Docuoure in the hope that we don’t have to play Davies and Siggurdson yet for various reasons (some of them were even worse, most crocked) we are still putting these lads out almost every game. It’s not good enough.

 

[Gilbert..]

They have to be resilient. James and Allan haven’t been available enough, so for most of the season it’s been last season’s team with Godfrey and Docuoure added (which has made a massive difference) and occasionally we get a good spell from James that lead to some eye catching results. To get to the next level we need those 4 summer signings available almost every game, we need Gbamin available, and we need probably 3 or 4 first team players brought in.

We’ve recently bought Klaasen Schneiderlin Gomes Gbamin Delph Allan Docuoure in the hope that we don’t have to play Davies and Siggurdson yet for various reasons (some of them were even worse, most crocked) we are still putting these lads out almost every game. It’s not good enough.

Allan and rodriguez have made enough of a difference though. They have both contributed to points on the board. Yeah ideally you want them available all the time.
But the point is of that quality brought in.

 

[Radzinski radishes]

We lose one game and instantly these sorts of threads appear. Our squad is trash and Carlo is doing everything wrong.

Shocker.

I really like our squad. Theres a good balance of class and characters there. The issue for me is one of mentality. It's not just because we lost. Against tottenham, liverpool, leeds and west Brom this complacency nearly cost us dear. The players are capable of keeping possession better than they do.

 

[Blue Roo]

But for me he’s 4th choice at CB. Keane, Mina and Godfrey all ahead of him

Holgates better than Mina in a 3 or 3 plus Digne.

 

[Khalekan]

Got to admit the serenity I feel at having given up seeing actual positive football by us this season is wonderful. It was the game we won v WBA that I didn't even watch that lead to such realisation that its only points that matter.. Zen. My hope to be entertained (which is what passing and movement is called in GOT these days) crushed. My spirit floated away as I now watch apathetically waiting for the whistle to decide how many points we got. Nothing else is worth caring about.. At peace.

A bit Nihilistic but you make a good point.

It beats me how we won a lot of those games this season

 

[Stephenlloyd]

Holgates better than Mina in a 3 or 3 plus Digne.

But long term we are unlikely to play a 3

 

[BornBlue76]

A bit Nihilistic but you make a good point.

It beats me how we won a lot of those games this season

lol yeah I know.. I think it was my mind trying to stop me from having a heart attack every time our midfield had a perfectly good option but would turn 180 degrees to pass back to Keane. or we get the ball to the edge of their penalty box and 30 seconds later I'm watching Pickford punt it without even attempt to get it into the box. Purely self preservation from a melt down.

 

[Blue Roo]

But long term we are unlikely to play a 3

I'm not saying what I think Carlo will do (god only knows what mad genius is in store) but more intuitively 3 cbs makes sense, not only bc there's a strength of depth few other teams have, but also it could be the solution to competitiveness and winning titles.
Its not really a back 3. It can very quickly change to a 4 or 5 minute to minute or match to match while at the same time building a stable way of playing amongst all the changing.
The flaws of teams like the RS are being exposed. Carlo showed that with Seasmus on Robertson, and he did it without really changing the system.
I generally hate 3 or 5 at back as its been but there seems to be something different emerging here.
If they get in a right player who can play rb and as a midfielder rather than just a winger, the potential and dynamics in attack are better while still keeping it very stable at back. Its a solid defensive 32 through the middle with Digne and R given the lateral responsibility while have the opportunity to attack - one in a different role to the other. Its better than the RS style 23 anyways.
We really talking about using a diff species of CB too. And reckon 3 is better than 2 .

 

[Blue Roo]

But long term we are unlikely to play a 3

Also the problem against Chelsea was Iwobi, he doesn't have what it takes to play that role. He didn't read the play leading up to first goal, he should of showed him the line rather than parting the seas. Better player there and reckon that's a very diff game.

 

[D410]

Is anyone else getting frustrated by this tendency to pass back all the time? Allan, davies, keane, holgate and even Gomez are serious culprits. I noticed it in a big way against United and it's the same [Poor language removed] yarn since then. DCL and Richarldson are busting a gut up front and no one is trying to find them. I'd much prefer losing the possession with an audacious through ball then keeping it tiky tak

2. Not keeping possession
This is a major issue. Chelsea were knocking the ball around tonight like any team should when they are protecting a lead. When we're ahead it's just 'sit back and absorb'. Against teams like man city this is going to have crucified.

3. Not pressing enough
Ashley Cole alluded to this after the west Brom game. He said 'they dont run enough off the ball for my liking. If you're chasing your dreams you've got to work much harder'. This is spot on. The aggression and pressure in the second half tonight was excellent, but why arent they like this every game? Why does it take going 2 nil down? A Guardiola side suffocates you, the pressure is immense and you dont get a chance to think. Coleman, davies and allan have great intensity, but I just wish there was this desire aggression from the whole side. Love to see players doubling up and crowding out the opposition. Can't understand why it requires a 2-0 deficit to motivate them into playing like demons.

All these issues can be rectified in a single team talk. Cant understand why they're reappearing game after game. Anyone else notice this lack of intensity and aggression?

Combination of issues

Lack of technical skills
Lack of speed resilience and the courage to beat a player.
Arrogant players who are not happy in there positions so look to pickford- quite a few of them.

Too many happy to play possession Football and hide.

The front two need to work together they look like they never met on the pitch.

 

[Papa Shango]

There was a moment in the first half when Holgate got fouled three times in roughly the same spot (just near the half way line on the right).

Every single time we did the exact same thing, went back to Pickford then went over to the left and gave it away with a hoof. It was kind of weird.