James

Exactly and Tadic will basically have to play every minute whilst we don't have Boufal. This rotation system is fine in theory but the way it's being deployed is completely random. Certain players (VVD and Romeu) play every single minute yet some players are rotated out constantly (full backs, shuttle midfielders and strikers). I don't think it's any coincidence that VVD and Romeu are, by some distance, our best performers this season as the rest of the team don't know If they'll be playing the following week. As others have said it must massively reduce any kind of "playing for places" mentality as players know that no matter what they do and how well/badly they've played they will be rotated. I'm struggling to think of any team that has successfully implemented a mass rotation system. Even Chelsea who had a much stronger squad were ridiculed when Ranieri tried it. Always seems that successful teams are settled ones. Leicester won the league by playing a consistent team even Barcelona (who also have Europe to contend with) play pretty much the same XI every week.

Very odd decision.

Why, if the stated ambition of the club is to qualify for the Champions League, have we sold off a team that might even have been capable of challenging for the title?

To pass backwards and sideways, score from a set piece or single attack and then hope we don't concede.

Not so sure. The majority of the complaints are to do with style rather than results. I'm not sure a win will solve the problems we've got or answer fan complaints (unless, of course, Puel rips up the tactics we've been using recently).

If we concede early this could be an ugly one.

This is the crux of the problem. Even if you had Man City's attacking riches they'd struggle with this safety first approach. You don't need to have good quality players to be a threat in an attacking sense, look at Burnley for example who put 4 past a woeful Sunderland team that we only scored against as a result of a goalkeeping howler.

Good player when on song but very careless in possession sometimes. Hope he returns to form but to do that he neees a run in the team and he won't get that from the Tinkerman.

Agreed. What has happened to him? His confidence looks absolutely shot.

Yesterday was not good at all, I think we all agree that. It was a stark reminder that, no matter how well we've done in recent seasons, we aren't too big or too good to go down. At the moment I see us as a season behind Swansea. Very similar praise for how both clubs were run but continually selling the family silver is eventually going to catch up with you. We won't go down this year (I don't think) but next year will be interesting. As others have said, I can take losing but the style of play is awful. We don't take risks, we don't make runs and we don't commit numbers in attack. Earlier in the season we won points because, in spite of our attack, we didn't concede. Now we do concede and we can't score. Very reminiscent of 2004/5. God help us if we cash in on one of Fonte or VVD in Jan.

If we were guaranteed to get someone better in then I'd be in the "out" camp but I'm not sure who is out there. Whilst I don't want the instability of changing the manager I'm not sure I can put up with watching us much longer. The football being served up is just awful and boring to watch. Surely even the staunch defenders of Puel have to admit our style is not enjoyable to watch? I don't really buy the arguments in favour of rotation either, some is fine but not over half the outfield team and certainly not 3/4 defenders. That's just poor management. Also, if rotation is so important then how come Virgil and Romeu play every game but the others can't? Would be tempted to give Rowett a chance as his Brum teams played some decent stuff but would probably be too big a game Le.

We had three shots on target in three games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs so yes that's precisely what I'm saying.

Pathetic to say that. We've had ten days off! Surely we could have managed more than 15 minutes?!

It's not just that though is it? If you actually read the thread most are concerned at the style of play being implemented. Even if we had Aguero up front he can't score if we don't make any chances. It's not like we create absolutely shed loads of chances that are missed is it? A new striker won't solve our problems. We don't move the ball forward quickly enough. For me, we need a centre mid that can actually carry the ball forward.

Must be a wind up.

We will be lucky to get anything if that is the line up!

Not a pen or a red IMO.

Genuine interest but what do you see us trying to build? I'm in favour of keeping Puel but only because I think he's done as expected results wise. His style of play and general philosophy of constantly changing the team are the things I don't like about him. I don't currently enjoy watching us play as the style is too defensive and very slow. Interested to hear an alternative view given you think he is building something.

No. We are eighth in the table and in a cup semi.

He's doing fine results wise but the style of play is shocking on the eye.

That really was an awful performance.

We will go for Haller.

Agreed. This "style" is absolutely awful on the eye.

This is absolute dross.

Seems nobody is allowed to make an observation these days. Just slightly surprising that JRod in particular wasn't deemed good or fit enough for the bench on Thursday but is now starting and Sims is dropped from the squad completely. I get the rotation policy but this selection seems a bit finger in the air to me. Just my opinion. Pleased Redmond has been dropped don't get me wrong.