Its because, you don’t get the best out of Kevin, unless he is free to make mistakes. He can't do that without Bernie in midfield. Gundo, does not react well, in transition. Bernie smells danger.He loses far more than he wins,which often results in a breakdown and an opposition break.....yet that problem is often airbrushed because of the magic.
Its a particular issue when we line up with such a slow centre like yesterday.
Its because, you don’t get the best out of Kevin, unless he is free to make mistakes. He can't do that without Bernie in midfield. Gundo, does not react well, in transition. Bernie smells danger.
Of course, didn't we know that?It's a tactic they use a lot and Burnley used to utilise Mee in the same way at set pieces.
Think we dodged a bullet with cucerella aswell as he doesn’t look all that .Spot on, far to much rotation for rotations sake it feels like, surely when teams on a roll you stick with it, someone drops off in form for whatever reason then make a change. Play to our strengths and let the other team worry about us.
That said as frustrating as it is, Pep’s the man and I,m sure we,ll come good after the WC.
Not sure any post that hints that Haaland is our issue can be considered great. If this was his third or fourth game where he contributed little and was a detriment to our game then it may have merit. He’s pulled us out of the shit already a few times this season with his ability to conjure up a goal when needed most and it’s usually after a cross into a dangerous area that he’s got on the end of, sometimes when he’s had no right to get to it.Great post.
We don't seem to have agreesive fullbacks!!It’d really help if we stopped teams crossing at will, we never seem to get a tackle or block in when they attempt to cross
I agree it still makes me sick now . Have faith in our team and just go out and play . Watched a show on Brian clough and he used to use 442 and trust in his players .As much as I love Pep, I'll never get over that Chelsea final. Insane decision making.
Fullbacks ! What are they ?We don't seem to have agreesive fullbacks!!
It does sound a little crazy when you look at his numbers but I agree that Haaland currently isn't an 'ideal' fit. Say what you will about Jesus but his ability to receive the ball and turn vs teams with ten in the box was incredibly useful for us.No matter how you dress it up our squad is weaker than last season. Gomez and Akanji were not top drawer purchases and I think both will be gone next season. Not purchasing a top drawer left back has yet again left us exposed. Alvarez it’s too early to judge. Haaland is a world class player no doubt, but not sure if he is the right fit. We seem to have one plan as per yesterday to find Haaland. Brentford put three defenders around him to cut out the feed. There was no other plan and you could see the frustration of the team. Kev was expected to thread balls where there was no space to thread them. I can see why Kane was Pep’s first choice and I think he would have been more suited to the team. Don’t get me wrong Haaland is world class and I really hope Pep finds a way to mould the side to have a plan B, when the ball to Haaland isn’t working. Our next purchases in the summer need to be top drawer signings to remain competitive. Personally, I miss wingers that can go past players. The excitement of Leroy and David Silva link up play. Raz when at his best. I just don’t find the football as exciting. The clatter of seats when everyone stood up to watch Leroy dancing past players. We were such an exciting team to watch. I just find the slow football build up with players not taking players on, and the possession safety football dull. I would love Pep to go back to wingers and the exciting football we used to play.
You do have a point about the speedy wingers. However, I would like to see a winger take on their fullback on occasion. Even Foden on the left, has to be played in. He never takes them on.Not sure any post that hints that Haaland is our issue can be considered great. If this was his third or fourth game where he contributed little and was a detriment to our game then it may have merit. He’s pulled us out of the shit already a few times this season with his ability to conjure up a goal when needed most and it’s usually after a cross into a dangerous area that he’s got on the end of, sometimes when he’s had no right to get to it.
Yesterday was some of the worst crossing I’ve seen from this team.
I think the other thing I disagree with is the notion that speedy wingers is the way forward. I think we’re a victim of our own successful is a little bit to blame here. When we used to play that way teams were nowhere near set up against us as they are today because we weren’t as feared by the opposition. Pacy wingers would struggle against deep lying packed defences and that’s why I think Pep has had to look at other ways to overcome that. In his mind controlling the tempo, keeping possession and waring them down is the better option.
His other points gave some validity.
We don’t have any full backs.We don't seem to have agreesive fullbacks!!
Aye blame him for everything.Not to mention a woefully out of form Sterling being picked.
Invisible men....We don’t have any full backs.
I’m as frustrated as the next man to see players of Foden and Grealish’s natural ability get stunted due to the way pep prefers. There’s nothing better as a fan seeing a winger fly past a man or two. It’s what gets you out of your seat. I’d love to see it happen more. I’ve just come to terms now with the fact we are a different team, I still think we are finding our feet this season, it’s not always been pretty but I think Pep will suss it out as he tends to do and this game will be a footnote at the end of the season.You do have a point about the speedy wingers. However, I would like to see a winger take on their fullback on occasion. Even Foden on the left, has to be played in. He never takes them on.
While I liked your last post, I’m not sure why you say there was a lack of desire. That’s one thing you can’t say about this team, they fight to the end every game. They’re serial winners. We just couldn’t find a way through that defence and some of our players were off their game, we didn’t make enough changes and they were clinical when it mattered.I think for a few people it’s not about the loss. I can accept any loss if the team have given their all. Yesterday there was no desire or effort that is what most people are annoyed at.
A lot of teams defend and sit back and protect the 18 yard box. When I talk about pace I don’t mean running over the top for 50 meters. Wingers on the edge of the box. Playing little one twos and bursting into the box. Simple things like knocking it past the full back and getting to the byline. Pulling the ball back or whizzing one across the box.You do have a point about the speedy wingers. However, I would like to see a winger take on their fullback on occasion. Even Foden on the left, has to be played in. He never takes them on.
We don’t have any full backs.
He was but he couldn’t score when it mattered . Remember the miss against Villa .It does sound a little crazy when you look at his numbers but I agree that Haaland currently isn't an 'ideal' fit. Say what you will about Jesus but his ability to receive the ball and turn vs teams with ten in the box was incredibly useful for us.