How many points will we get in the remaining fixtures?

If we get more than that my arse is out.

 

I see the teams behind improving is key

 

Loads

 

Cheer up lads, you've got Saints up next. We'll probably gift you at least one incredibly soft goal.

 

6-8 points there for me. Saving grace is some of the 6 teams below have much much harder run ins than us so even if we only got 5/6 points I think we will scrape it this year.

 

We'll get 6 points imo and it'll be enough

 

That formation shift has me feeling far more positive. We'll get another 10-12.

 

Would you though revert back to 5-4-1 vs City in the QF? We've lost 1, won 1, drawn 2 of our last 4 against them using that formation I believe.

 

Absolutely no idea. Sometimes it's good to just go at them, sometimes it's better to do what we've done in the past. You?

 

were ****ed if we lose the next 3

 

I'm in the same place - really not sure, I was going to steal your opinion on the matter and then pass it off as my own .

 

So what I'm thinking is the back 3 is really only effective when we have a left-sided CB available. Both Clark and Dummett are injured, which then makes that back 3 far less effective, as someone like Lejeune just isn't going to think like a left back. I also think Rose has played his whole life as a LB - again, with the loss of Willems we don't have a LWB, so when we go 5 we are far too deep now. So I think a "back to the walls" isn't going to work, as we've been conceding a lot even playing a back 5.

I also think City won't really expect us to attack. We've been so defensive for so long, a surprise element of attacking, plus an excitable home crowd, might work to our advantage. I don't rate City's defence without Laporte, they're there to be got at in a one off match. Then there's the CL, which Pep will be desperate to win and as 5/2 favourites, that's the trophy he'll want to win more.

Final point is about balance and players in position. Rose is a LB, Manquillo a RB, Max, Almiron and Lazaro were all 'in position'. I have a weird feeling that the FA Cup match/formation will be a turning point for Joelinton and we'll see a different player when he's got those three buzzing around him. If we find the right balance in midfield we should stick with that formation.

Basically, we'll be odds on to lose, and I'd rather go out with a bang than with a whimper.

 

My thoughts:

So what I'm thinking is the back 3 is really only effective when we have a left-sided CB available. Both Clark and Dummett are injured, which then makes that back 3 far less effective, as someone like Lejeune just isn't going to think like a left back. I also think Rose has played his whole life as a LB - again, with the loss of Willems we don't have a LWB, so when we go 5 we are far too deep now. So I think a "back to the walls" isn't going to work, as we've been conceding a lot even playing a back 5.

I also think City won't really expect us to attack. We've been so defensive for so long, a surprise element of attacking, plus an excitable home crowd, might work to our advantage. I don't rate City's defence without Laporte, they're there to be got at in a one off match. Then there's the CL, which Pep will be desperate to win and as 5/2 favourites, that's the trophy he'll want to win more.

Final point is about balance and players in position. Rose is a LB, Manquillo a RB, Max, Almiron and Lazaro were all 'in position'. I have a weird feeling that the FA Cup match/formation will be a turning point for Joelinton and we'll see a different player when he's got those three buzzing around him. If we find the right balance in midfield we should stick with that formation.

Basically, we'll be odds on to lose, and I'd rather go out with a bang than with a whimper.

 

I doubt that one gift will be enough with our strike rate. Anyway isn't there an unwritten agreement between the clubs that we both win our home fixture?

 

I disagree.

 

Mange Tout Rodney, Mange tout!

 

0, but win the Cup

 

6 - 7, which will be enough