Don't think, defend.

[MikeH72]

"improved" from an extremely low baseline.

Historically, I'd expect us to win those fixtures and so would you.

Yeah, but there's only so much improving you can do in such a short space of time. You can only beat what's in front of you, and we have done. And last season we didn't.

 

[orly]

Yeah, but there's only so much improving you can do in such a short space of time. You can only beat what's in front of you, and we have done. And last season we didn't.

Because last season we were horrendous.

We don't know yet where we are, as... we've only played four games.

 

[ilikecheese]

Guess what mate, out of the same fixtures last season we picked up 2 points as opposed to 10. That suggest pretty clearly that we've improved.

Kinda puts things in perspective.

They are still learning the system as well.

 

[davek]

Good call Dave - for me it's the fact that the two centre halves can play more easily as a unit as they have less lateral space to cover.

Thank goodness the days of teams driving through the middle of the pitch with Stones, Jags or FM running backwards with no idea which way to turn seem behind us.

Martinez's first season had the CBs splitting and Barry coming back to start off moves and it worked as teams preparing for plucky Everton weren't figuring on it. But that also helped to provoke an estrangement over time between CBs and weakened them as a pair that should be very close spatially as well as in communication terms.

Defence is best kept simple.

 

[davek]

Williams is good. Looks very assured.

He was the one who simply had to come in.

Laughing last night in the first half when Jagielka was seen screaming at an errant pass from one of ours in front him - face proper screwed up; THAT is the Williams influence already right there. When the church mouse roars you know you have a good addition to the squad.

 

[captainvindaloo]

If you just go on results/statistics we have accumulated so far, then there is not much difference to the equivalent games of last season, as we have not beaten anyone yet that we did not beat last season, with the exception of that daft home game against Stoke last year. Therein may lie the difference, last season we conceded two late goals in that game, after fighting back to lead it 3-2, we ended up losing 3-4!!!!!!! Looking at the shape of the defence now, it is hard to see that sort of stupidity happening again. Yes, there will be errors, and yes, we may have the odd game where nothing goes right, every team does. I just feel like we will have fewer self inflicted goals than in recent seasons and we might just have the nous to play out a game we are winning. Also @Kev The Rat Spot on, mate. There is a feeling of more discipline in the side now, which is vital when defending leads, or seeing out a game. Two things we were useless at the last couple of seasons!

Oh, and I forgot our capitulation to Sunderland last May; One of many worthy of forgetfulness!! So, on that basis, we are six points better off for the same games.

Same games last season (2015-16)
H v Spurs 1-1
A v WBrom 2-3
H v Stoke 3-4
A v Sund 3-0

 

[Kev The Rat]

Oh, and I forgot our capitulation to Sunderland last May; One of many worthy of forgetfulness!! So, on that basis, we are six points better off for the same games.

Same games last season (2015-16)
H v Spurs 1-1
A v WBrom 2-3
H v Stoke 3-4
A v Sund 3-0

The only one of those four who may have weakened this season is Stoke.

 

[Naisy'sCharitableLeanings]

Does he?
If only there were a really catchy little tune to remind us all that he does now play for us and just what position he plays . . .

Haha, it's boss that Bolasie song! That, and being three up after Lukaku's hat trick, got me quite giddy last night and I was giggling like a little girl!

 

[TheCount]

There's another and more prosaic explanation: this shower have picked up their tools after downing them when them went on strike from about February of last season.

It makes a hell of a difference when a defence especially looks arsed about getting a challenge in.

Attitude reflects leadership ... Captain

 

[Khalekan]

Ok we've been more solid but the most obvious point is Koemans subs and Half time team talks. We've been losing or drawing the last 3 games at Ht. Presumably Koeman has given the players a rollicking each time. Well if he has to make threats against players/pin them up against the wall/threaten their wives and kids then if it gets results I'm all for it. Interesting that Baines seems to appreciate a more hard line approach from the manager. I guess that's what he was used to from moyes.

Not a bad idea to go back to basics tbf. The reality is that footballers in general are unlikely to be the worlds greatest thinkers/analysts most appreciate clear and direct instructions.

Which games were we losing at HT?

 

[Kev The Rat]

Which games were we losing at HT?

Sorry thought we were losing at west brom. Anyway we've been poor in the first half of our last 3 games (maybe bar Stoke) and I think Koeman has read the riot act each time and got the improvement required.

 

[BlueToff]

Martinez's first season had the CBs splitting and Barry coming back to start off moves and it worked as teams preparing for plucky Everton weren't figuring on it. But that also helped to provoke an estrangement over time between CBs and weakened them as a pair that should be very close spatially as well as in communication terms.

Defence is best kept simple.

Right here Dave.

RM did something a bit different even than just 'splitting the CBs' in his first season though.

He actually didn't instruct Jags and Distin (as it mostly was) to 'split' as such, but actually often had Barry dropping back in on the left side of the three to receive the ball and kick-start a move (often down the left, with Baines and Pienaar still playing together).

There's a really good analysis of it on YouTube, but what it did was mean that Distin and Jags were always next to each other, not apart, and if a move broke down they were on hand to rectify it quickly - and well-positioned to boot.

I don't know why, clearly, but he changed it after the first half of the first season and soon enough that's when we found ourselves shipping a few more goals (not that that's the only reason, mind)

 

[Deleted member 24970]

I'm not also certain how a highly rated centre half who reached the Euro semi finals as captain is a 'revelation' either.

We've also been up against forward lines including
an off-form and out of confidence Harry Kane (at that point after a terrible Euros),
Peter Crouch,
Berahino Lambert and Rondon
A 52 year old Jermaine Defoe essentially upfront on his own

Baines isn't injured anymore and not personally at war with the current boss

We've played against 4 teams, three of whom are likely to be in the bottom half and only as we've all lost confidence from the last two years are we getting giddy about beating them.

It's all just a bit over the top at this stage.

I see your point but I think that a Sunderland team sitting back scrapping for a point or 1-0 smash n grab is harder than it seems, Koeman taking off barkley for Delboy was a smart move and should be praised for it.

West Brom under pulis is also tricky more so away than home, again Koeman made the change early - credit due.

Stoke is always a tough one, they now mix skill form shaqiri and arnie to the graft and ruggedness of shawcross and Whelan.

Spurs is somewhat of a 50-50 with us, maybe even 60-40 to them because we are not as stable as we needed to be in the last 24 months or so.

Overall I think that the premier league is going to be tough every game in different ways. We should be happy with 10 points from 12. I think that im in the same camp as you though that Everton always balls it up so lets not get carried away. I can see why some are though.

3-0 Boro. Howard to blame for all the goals, Osman gets a 2/10 rating. Koff bloos.