I said expansive, though I agree he was expensive.Philips expensive football ? We haven’t gone away from technical players Nunes Savinho are we have just upped the tempo
We need a midfield destroyer and defenders that defend instead of everyone being ball passing players which ok when it’s working but when you need to dig deep you need proper old skool players .I disagree, it’s a Fernandinho type player we need.
I don’t think Philips could be described as expansiveI said expansive, though I agree he was expensive.
I’m not saying they’re technically deficient, just that they’re more prone to taking risks and losing possession, particularly when space is at a premium. The more such players we field, especially together, the less overall control we seem to enjoy.
We are because we’ve bought average and should not be surprised we have become average. Doku is prime example, started off this season where he left off last season still making all the wrong decisions.Problems are…Not replacing an £80 striker. Not replacing Rodri with a young understudy (Kova was only a squad buffer hence the £25m fee). Pep only wanting to coach 20 senior pro’s. Leaving KDB in a state of flux. His contract should have been sorted either way last summer. Walker as captain. Not making Dias captain. Having 3 injury prone CBs at the age of 29/30, needed transitioning to at least x2 younger CBs.
However, start of the season you’s have all taken the squad we had…me included.
Rodri and the other injuries aren’t just injuries - they have sapped the confidence. 8/9 of those players today played in the champions league final. This isn’t about who we sign in Jan (although important to finish top 4) this is a moment Pep has to address. His job is bringing cohesion and confidence together. Today’s capitulation was the same as Brighton. Had we hung on to both games in winning positions we’d be 3rd, 3 points behind Liverpool.
We do need to strengthen…but we ain’t as fucking bad as every **** thinks we are.
Would add. We have 4 wide players who dont really score or assist. Plus KDB/Foden not doing much either. Its a recipe for disaster…Problems are…Not replacing an £80 striker. Not replacing Rodri with a young understudy (Kova was only a squad buffer hence the £25m fee). Pep only wanting to coach 20 senior pro’s. Leaving KDB in a state of flux. His contract should have been sorted either way last summer. Walker as captain. Not making Dias captain. Having 3 injury prone CBs at the age of 29/30, needed transitioning to at least x2 younger CBs.
However, start of the season you’s have all taken the squad we had…me included.
Rodri and the other injuries aren’t just injuries - they have sapped the confidence. 8/9 of those players today played in the champions league final. This isn’t about who we sign in Jan (although important to finish top 4) this is a moment Pep has to address. His job is bringing cohesion and confidence together. Today’s capitulation was the same as Brighton. Had we hung on to both games in winning positions we’d be 3rd, 3 points behind Liverpool.
We do need to strengthen…but we ain’t as fucking bad as every **** thinks we are.
Maybe expansive is an exaggeration but he is a tad tubbyI don’t think Philips could be described as expansive
Doku/Savinho should be 3rd/4th choice wingers at this stage, learning their trade. Grealish/Bernardo have been awful and delivered nothing… Huge issue to resolveWe are because we’ve bought average and should not be surprised we have become average. Doku is prime example, started off this season where he left off last season still making all the wrong decisions.
Really disagree I think Doku and Savinho are super tricky players more so than any wingers. The team is not performing but all players but Bernardo and Grealish are still quality.Doku/Savinho should be 3rd/4th choice wingers at this stage, learning their trade. Grealish/Bernardo have been awful and delivered nothing… Huge issue to resolve