the_eristic

Like last week, Phil isn't going to be able to do much against two banks of 5. We have to get the ball to him in pockets of space before they settle into their defensive shape, midfield has to be more alert in terms of support and movement.

Rejoined Nice a couple weeks ago. Would've been ideal for the squad we have and our goals at the moment.

Can we send Stevie instead? Turkish league his level.

Maybe our bid for Canales will finally be accepted.

He's like a taller, more physical and press-resistant upgrade on Marv. Excellent defensively, safe enough with the ball, would leave us less exposed with fullbacks pushed up and we'd finally win some headers in midfield. Also tends to do his work a bit higher up the pitch in the middle 3rd proper and can carry it forward a bit without losing it, which would be helpful, as Marv is often more reactive and last ditch, playing right around our box and can't wait to get rid of the ball. Downside is he always picks up a few injuries and misses a handful of games, though, which should be a concern if we're looking for a guaranteed starter for 38 league games rather than a tactical option. Definitely a proper defensive mid, too, not an box-to-box or "8", which would mean an almost inevitable shift to the fabled double pivot at times, as you'd still want Boubs or Dougie in there with him to be the ball player. Was paired regularly with Herrera or Koke as the passer, either in a 4-4-2 or in a 3 with the likes De Paul or Lemar pushing on in attack.

Said it before, but if you aren't playing it to feet, there's no point. He isn't a target man, he isn't getting on crosses, especially on his own vs three CBs.

April 18, 2009. Salifou on the bench!

Needs some time out of the firing line, just like last season. We're overplaying him in an imbalanced system.

On the pitch for both goals? Digne out!

Are we in a time warp? Is this 1994?

Would be embarrassing were it not so unsurprising. We desperately need a more physically dominant striker and also a midfielder that is not a John McGinn just trying to float the ball to back post 20 times a game. Midfield selection was wrong from the start, against a back 3 + low block you have incisive passers to keep the ball moving and players who can navigate tight spaces, not runners who won't have the room to run in the first place. Passing it back to the CBs a few times then out wide to be crossed to players half the size of their defenders is a team with no ideas. Not playing Mings against these was an insane decision, too.

It's time.

Manager doesn't know what he's doing, and we're completely outmatched physically.

Good to see we're sticking with the "crossing to hobbits" tactic.

Priest are/were mostly Baggies iirc.

Loved the yellow he picked up, very few young players would have the nous to consciously stop the break in a hectic moment like that.

All a ruse to get 70M off City next week.

I actually think Ajorque, one of Hammers' alternative targets to Scamacca/Borja would be an interesting addition for very little money (supposedly €15M). I've watched him several times while keeping tabs on Fred. He's a roughly 1-in-3 goalscorer, but also picks up a handful of assists, phenomenal in the air and at linking up play, also great at defending and pressing from the front. Think he could do a similar job to John Carew but with better work rate and fitness, would be useful to have against low blocks and really physical sides.

If two up top is going to be a regular thing, a more physical striker is a must. Like KD but not injured forever and actually able to score a few.

Ah, the Del Piero.

Remember how bad we were after the "mini-preseason" during winter? Well, now we've got a full-sized one!

Playing the ball back time and again only to wind up crossing it after the Roar have settled into their shape. Got to play through the lines faster with the likes of Ings and Bailey in attack, Coutinho dropping too deep to link up properly with the forwards.

They look tired. Also, why are we crossing so much with a bunch of sub-6-footers in attack? Was an issue vs Leeds, too.

Yeah, gotta figure this is the match for all the kids to get a half.

Bert is the least Burnley player I can possibly imagine. They'd accuse him of witchcraft!