Tubby

In the post match media, many of them mentioned how hard they had worked this week and how much they had had to learn. It's a good sign (i.e. "this gaffer actually knows what he's on about and is communicating it").

I've got a feeling that we will see Digne play less forward over time and his average position to become more like Cash. Wing backs are certainly a part of Emery's style, but only as a way to open up a sustained attack and not as a primary attacking method a la Gerrard.

He who owns all the RBs! You beat me to both Pierce and Stevenson this season. It might have been very different... I'm not bitter.

At least allow the rest of us a chance to win something this season!

They acted fast indeed

"So I said to the lads, kick it long and good luck"

I disagree with the comments suggesting that he doesn't have an identity. I posted the below in the tactics thread. Emery uses a range of formations but they all fit within a philosophy of how the team plays together as a unit. His teams play a high line, are compact and purposeful. I also shared a link to this video of him explaining how Sevilla tactically defeated Liverpool. The guy is a tactical master.

I have done a bit of reading on his tactics and the ability to adapt is what excites me most. Playing a base formation of 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 seems to be the most common but he has also played 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-1-1 depending on the situation. He changes the tactics to create overloads in attack and to solidify the team defensively dependent on the opposition and even more granularly, during transitions (i.e. we might have one or two formations going forward and a different one going backwards). I also like how the team, despite the formation, works as a unit to compress the opposition when playing without the ball - something that would have helped us in games where we have been overrun by inferior teams this season. A high defensive line, the whole formation shifting width ways, closeness between all 10 outfield players, trigger points on who and when to press; everything has a purpose and a plan. I can't wait to see this team play with an identity again. I've added some links below that are interesting reads, but also a video where the man himself describes it so well. Some links to reads: https://totalfootballanalysis.com/team-analysis/villarreal-202223-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics https://themastermindsite.com/2020/11/14/unai-emery-villarreal-tactical-analysis/ https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/unai-emery-psg-arsenal-villarreal/ This video about Sevilla tactically defeating Liverpool is pornographic:

Josh Jacobs form at present fml

Note that, almost no other player on my team scored points! Mark Andrews FFS!

My team is very Jekyll and Hyde so I'm not getting my hopes up!

All I ask is that the next manager is actually qualified to make decisions that can influence a game. Be it before or during. I don't want another ex footballer who is mates with the board, I want a grown up that can make difficult decisions and organise a team.

Not because we want that, but because we need that

I was wondering this too. Would be a bit awkward to step on the team bus. I'd dare say that NS would give him an audience in London. Be gentlemanly about it and plenty of feedback. SG won't be too gutted to skip the bus home.

We're barely intending to stay in the Premier League at this point...

It won't be pretty but we're in the survival game and I'd prefer our odds in that scenario.

Exactly. Steady the ship. Play as a team. Be hard to beat. Organise that sorry excuse for a defence. And play the forwards to their strengths.

We won't get an elite manager. We are 17th in the league having scored half the goals of Erling Haaland. Who would want that job?

It will be Dyche and we will be pleasantly surprised by it

Trying my best not to agree with this...

Agree. Delusional to think an elite manager will end up here.

The disappointing thing is that the next manager will come in, change the style (necessary) and have to spend the next couple of transfer windows reforming the squad, so we'll be standing still at best. None of the big name managers will fancy that challenge. It's a failure of management entirely. Sean Dyche might be the only one keen on it.

This is the result of Purslow's ego. He needs to go with Gerrard.

Bit of a shit week all around really. Who'd have thunk it?!