I was half expecting King Zog to be re-instated. His reign ended with an incorrect ref decision afterall.
I had to bail - latish night here and for some reason what are usually reliable streams just didn't want to play. Ho hum, just watched the highlights reel. Hanley looked like he could drink 10 bottles of Buckfast and still put in a shift. The rest of the team just haven't got the constitution to get lashed and then play well.
I'm not worried about the last 2 results. In the Bournemouth game we were well on top until the sending off. The team then had to work really hard to try and get something from the game. The way we play requires players to be super fit, going down to 10 men for so long must have been exhausting. To then have to play the 2nd best team in the league a few days latter, it's not surprising that we looked tired. with 3 games to go still see us winning the title, I can see Watford losing at least one of their remaining games so I think 4 point will do it and I think it'll all be over before the Barnsley game.
I think those 2 defeats have been a good thing imvho. It has shown where we are lacking and need to strengthen. Having a physically strong box to box midfielder such as Damien Francis or Bradders is one, a centre forward with power and physical presence is another (I like Hugill but I can’t see the likes of Stones, McGuire or Rudiger losing sleep at the prospect of facing him) . Whether the board see it the same will be one of the interesting parts of the summer.
Id say so. In the Premier League we need something different and whereas McLean and Rupp are technically gifted their style might not be right for the EPL. Or, here’s a thought, revert to a 4-3-3 formation on occasions with McLean, New Box to Box dude and Skipp/Skipp’s replacement as the midfield three.
We can sell our little skillful players and replace them with giant lumps but then we need to change our entire system to accommodate them. We do need a bit more height and muscle in the midfield but maybe in the Dowell position
No need to throw the blueprint away but we do need some change if we are to compete at the higher level. My thoughts were on the lines you state DD with a more physically imposing player in the role occupied by Dowell. With the exception of the Centre Backs we lack physical presence and you do need that in the EPL.
I have watched a few Watford games and they are usually not easy on the eye . A whole season of that in the attempt to not finish bottom 3 would be awful. Those 10 defeats in a row weren't exactly good either. A Damien Francis Leroy Fer type would be a good addition Dowell and Tod have noodle arms and need to bulk up Vrancic and Rupp also quite slight. Emi and Argos are built like tanks but they have no height.
To go to a 4-3-3 we'd need the extra midfielder to be a deep lying playmaker as well - someone similar to Yaya Toure for example. They're hard to come by. McLean and Skipp also have to fill in at FB when the FBs are up the field, which has made us better defensively this season. Another option would be a 3-4-3 formation with the FBs as WBs. That would rely less on McLean and Skipp (or other) having to drop back to cover and thus be able to play as the deep playmaker for the front 3. DF bringing on Hugill last night was a clever tweak as it allowed Pukki to drop back as a second striker, which he does well. On another occasion that might have worked. I also thought Vrančić gave us more threat when he came on. Like canario, I don't see much significance in these results which have been influenced by promotion having been gained while Bournemouth and Watford are still fighting for promotion. I'd like us to finish as champions, but the big prize has already been won.
It's concerning that the 2 relegated clubs both did the double on us but it doesn't really matter . Even if we get relegated every second season and stick to our playing style and financial model this would be classed as a successful business model . Our squad gets stronger and stronger organically and eventually we may be strong enough to survive in the Premier League but I don't want to try and buy success.
@DUNCAN DONUTS you were like the batsman who has just come in after a 300 run partnership to get out for a duck with one that hit a crack. Ah well, less booze between matches lads go get the title!
3 home defeats all season I had 2 of them Well @Bure budgie is striding out of the pavilion to hit a 6 off his first ball hopefully.
If Watford win all 3 then you need 2 wins to be sure a win and a draw would take it to GD and they have a better head to head.
Perhaps you should look at the stats pal. Did your fancy-dan team of beautiful skilled artists commit more fouls or did the masters of ugly football, as you so (ignorantly) put it ?