Watford vs unfortunately

Not saying Krafth is better, he just sits deeper and is a more natural defender. It’s literally a flat back four, full backs should not cross halfway. Manq is much better going forward but often caught short.

If we have to go back five, then it’s Manq and Lewis in full back. Horses for courses.

 

Krafth is useless

 

Dubravka is back in training.. Thats a huge plus..

 

Don't know why Hayden was playing CB really.

I'd stick with 5 at the back because it's what the team is used to.

Hayden CDM, allowing Willock and Almiron to be box to box LCM/RCM.

 

You simply do not need a CDM in an effective 532, it’s a waste, you’ve then got a lack of balance as you have 6 defenders, puts you back foot too much.

A solid 4 with a DM would be much better.

 

Hayden is useless anyway

 

Correct

 

He'll be rushed back then injured again

 

Yes it would, but we do not have a solid 4. Hence why we play 5 at the back, because our defence is dreadful.

 

You're not looking at it properly - it's dreadful because it's a back five that hasn't got a clue, the wing backs don't quite know what to do and genuinely don't have a purpose; wing backs typically would be used for crossing, but there's nobody to cross to so they end up stranded, particularly Ritchie who just doesn't understand the defensive side of the game.

The three CB's don't compliment each other, none of them - because Schar doesn't play - bring the ball out (a la Thiago Silva) so we've just got three Championship level cloggers, who lack mobility. 3 CB's isn't really 3 CB's - it's 1 CB and 2 deeper DM's. What we play is sticking three big lads back which means we have no cover in midfield, no progress from defence and it becomes one way traffic as we just ping mindless long balls to players like ASM and Fraser (wtf).

Because they're all CB's, they dont offer natural protection to the wing backs either and the CM's are often not smart enough to read a game and transition, we're always reacting, never being proactive. This is again down to player selection like Hayden, Longstaff, Hendrick. All of it sits far too deep, because Steve's idea is defend with five, then everybody sprint upfield (apart from the 3 CB's) which leaves gaping holes wide and results in countless soft tissue injuries. It's a stupid tactic, it's way, way past it's sell by date but then so is the manager.

I just think we need to go back to some very, very basic football. Flat back four, full backs literally stay in their own half. Push the line up. One dedicated DM whose role is purely to cover, get it and give it to someone who can pass or run. Have Willock right, Almiron left (favoured foot is a good idea, back to basics) with Joelinton covering left flank and left CF, Murphy doing the same right and ASM having effectively a free role in CF.

It's not brilliant because the players are so poor. But saying "we've conceded loads of goals, let's play with more defenders" shows a total lack of understanding of football. We still won't do that well, because the midfield is just not good on the ball, but if you have runners there who can get you forward, then your four defenders + DM have an easier job of just getting the ball back and giving it.

 

Fair enough. It's gotten to the point where whatever is played is played and I'm not hopeful.

The reality is we SHOULD have bought proper fullbacks in the summer, but we bought **** all.

We're paying the price for it, because we're forced to play 3 CB's to make up for proper defensive options on the sides.

 

Just highlights the ****-wittery of this club. £55m on Joelinton and Lewis, when you could have had Junior Firpo and Emi Buendia, or Soucek, Benrahma and change, etc.

We're so unbelievably poorly run it honestly beggars belief. I mean, should I really be suggesting Clark as LB? He's not even a PL player in his preferred position, but Lewis/Ritchie are just ****ing awful. How Krafth got signed is beyond me, but as a defensive RB he's all we have. It's astonishing, it's not just inviting relegation, it's cooking it dinner and letting it stay the night in your wife's bed.

 

Good news for @ben10. Lascelles didn't train today

 

Apparently he was practising his fist pumps and knocked himself out.

 

Willock OK lacelles out

We need Hayden out too

 

Good news and bad news

 

What’s happened to Lewis? We were being linked with him before start of last season but Norwich were asking too much so went for Tsimikas who is looking like decent player after barely playing last year.

Havent really seen Lewis play for you guys though? Has he just been **** and we dodged a massive bullet?

 

You would think by now he would have been taught to go before he gets on the pitch. I blame Bruce.

 

Steve Bruce

 

Willock injured.

I think some of these injuries are actually players going into their shell. Not wanting to be part of the blame when we lose.

Willocks stumped his toe. Hmm
Lascelles a thought strain. Hmm (not that I’m
Bothered because he’s crap)

Another loss incoming.