woodsaint1

The way we defend crosses and set pieces, hes guaranteed at least a brace

Bazunu KWP ABK Salisu Perraud Lavia JWP S Armstrong Aribo A Armstrong Adams Cant see Ralph picking anything remotely close to this, but one can always hope. Leicester looked very shakey at the back in their first two so we need to get at them

Been a very long time since we won a competitive game so I think we're all a bit unclear on what it takes

Was very good at the start of last season before injury. Remember the United game with the great moment of him giving Fernandes a bollicking. I do think its time for him to move on though, particularly if he wants to be a starter. Still think hes a better option than Lyanco, which was a bizarre signing. Expressing his appreciation of the club/fans in person or on social media doesnt win us football games the last I checked.

If Chelsea give them Broja or CHO plus £ for Anthony Gordon, they've lost the plot. They've already got Sterling, Mount, Pulisic and Ziyech, all comfortably better than Gordon. Bizarre link

Moyes will be furious. Dont know how West Ham didnt get anything. Disallowed goal, missed pen, hit the bar and line twice and Soucek missed a sitter lol

Exactly, play to your strengths. We are very familiar with the 4222 now (and the new players should be nearly up to speed) and its also easier to press from. I appreciate that 3 CBs works in games where we'll have very little ball and need to sit deeper (City, Liverpool being the only two worthy of that respect), but against every other team in the league just go with the 4222 or variations of it

The problem with playing three CBs is that you often find at least one, maybe even two of them arent marking anybody for periods. Teams very rarely these days play two strikers right up on top of the CBs. They're dropping into midfield or pulling wide to try and move the CBs about. With these players dropping into the gaps it puts more pressure on our midfield and wing backs as CBs are reluctant to be pulled way out of position, even in a three. It also doesnt help our press when you're sacrificing a midfielder/attacker who is needed to initiate the press, for the sake of another CB. With the midfield getting overun we find ourselves sitting deeper with the three CBs which doesnt play to our strengths or counter our weaknesses. I could understand if our CBs lacked the pace or physicality to go man for man at the back, but Salisu and ABK are both quick and very physical to deal with most threats. With Lavia offering protection that could be a very useful trio in a 4222. As has already been pointed out, we shouldnt be adapting the system to suit the new players, it should be the other way round. The new players in the squad would probably be more comfortable with the 4222 as opposed to a 532. Regardless of formation, we need to get much better at the basics for dealing with crosses and set pieces. The first Leeds goal was as easy as they come. Rodrigo makes the run across the front, and although there seemed to be communication from Salisu to Bednarek (perhaps too late) to pass him on, Bednarek doesnt react and its an easy goal.

Hence my use of the word "suggested"

How do we know that Selles was behind the formation change as suggested on here? Do we have lip readers and body lanaguage experts in our SWF midst

Kouyate. Some good signings in there, but they will struggle to build cohesion and continuity with such wholesale changes. Im sure some of the players who helped get them promoted and who now find themselves on the bench will be a bit pissed too. They'll not be as bad as Fulham that season, but I think they will still be in the relegation picture come March/April next year

Think its becoming apparent from these first two games what our current best line up and formation is. Hopefully Ralph is starting to wise up to it as well. It definitely doesnt involve a five at the back. Great credit to the team. Could have packed it in after going 2-0 down, but they showed great resilience, coupled with the correct change in formation and substitutions. Aribo, Mara and AA all had great impact. Lavia looked very good again, KWP is looking like our best player. ABK is still very raw but has many great attributes. Plenty of endeavour from Che, never stopped competing for balls and creating space for others. Not bad for a player who is on the move and not interested 🤔. Big few weeks in the window however. We desperately need more if we dont want to be in a relegation fight all season. Ideally two strikers (Delap and Kaladjzic would be my preference), no.10 and another CB (although this is dependent on Bednarek and Stephens moving on which I dont think is likely).

Hope not. Despised the prick since his 99th minute goal and celebration against us

Tactical masterclass from Ralph, great point all things considering. Hopefully thats the 5 at the back gone forever never to return

Great ball Mara

One shot on target last weekend was it?

You should just be thankful we're in the PL

And what if he starts on Saturday? Does that mean the manager still doesnt like him?

Think we can safely say that Jack Stephens is one. Charlie Austin's mate and barely getting a sniff these days

Lost the dressing room or pissed off a few players who've leaked the story? Either way this is terrible preparation for Saturday. Also likely no way back for Ralph unless we go on a winning run

Lol he may not be far off the mark, but he really is a bitter prick Talksport is a showcase for dickheads

Good signing. Its ok we've got Djenepo, Redmond and Elyounoussi 🙃

The negativity is justified. The final third of last season was an absolute disgrace. Slate wiped clean to start this season but then Saturday was groundhog day. Same defensive mistakes, same sloppiness, same throwing away leads and topped off with the likes of Valery, Djenepo and AA up top by himself in the starting lineup. Can call us bed wetters or whatever but supporters have every reason to feel annoyed. The first 8 games of this season should be Ralph reinterviewing for his job. He may plead for more time with the younger signings but you dont get time in the PL. If we're not in double figures points wise by then he has to go, simple as that

That guy that was playing CB for us in the first game of the season? No way couldnt be 🤦🏽‍♂️

Not sure I agree. There was that period at the end of 20/21 season where he was given some gametime by Ralph and looked easily our best winger (not much competition I admit). Was unplayable in the win away to Sheff Utd and contributed quite a bit during the run in where he also scored against Fulham. He has plenty of qualities and only just turned 23. A loan is definitely best for his development at this stage