macca155

7 hours ago, tajjuk said:

But Garth Crooks is probably right, he's a pretty good candidate to replace Wijnaldum for Liverpool, similar role, good age, used to playing a pressing system, hopefully they won't notice that. 

Blast I hadn't seen that. That would be a disaster, he makes us tick, and there is no way our owner would turn down the big bucks.

Bad mood🤨

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Just putting it out there, what if we went full strength from the start, still shipped 3 or 4, but lost KWP and Diallo to a reoccurrence and they were out for 'weeks' again?

I'd say that would have been a much worse outcome. I see why he did what he did tonight. We don't have the luxury of two 11s though, which is why it becomes a bit square pegs when we do want to change it up.

Totally agree, I guess I was just bemoaning our fragile defence which just seems way worse than any other Premier league team.

Lets hope it was worth it and our mojo is regained against Brighton

5 minutes ago, Chez said:

I thought we were pretty brave on the ball, pressed high and controlled the game for long periods. It was a far cry from the United debacle. Some of the goals we conceded weren't great. Bertrand ball-watched for the first, the woeful pass for the third...but City do have some real talent and they really punish mistakes like this, which we perhaps makes every game but get away with. When teams catch us on the break we seem more susceptible than most.

To a degree I thought Bertrand at right back and Salisu at left back worked - when compared with the other option of playing Bednarek out there - which has not worked at all well. Stephens did OK, too. He's a decent ball playing CB, positionally solid, but he is not the quickest and felt he gave a little too much time and space. We instantly looked better with Dialo on. Redmond did OK too, but I have to say Tella too looked very sharp when he came on, which is encouraging. We may have found a real gem there. As for McCArthy, I have no idea why he played if Forster is seen as the number 1 now, but he made some great saves which sadly wasn't enough to prevent two goals from rebounds. His kicking is not great and he makes me nervous. I'm not convinced Forster is any better though. That position is a mess.

To be honest I feel quietly confident we can beat both Brighton and Bournemouth, which could help to `save' this season. Win the FA cup and all will be forgiven in my book.

 

 

Good post. I guess Ralph could only risk 15 mins of Diallo and Tella.

Once again shows the folly of not having a backup full back. That decision has ruined the season for me.

City went easy on Saints, that could easily have been 8 or 9.

Patches of good play but our defence is desperate in any formation.

No need to make that many changes. 

Self inflicted bad karma.

VAR was kind tonight, that won't last.

3 minutes ago, DT said:

Not sure I follow. He’s applied for Jamaican citizenship or at least qualification to play for the country. Er. Prick. 

I assume you didn't intend it to be abusive, but If you can't see why that could be perceived as racist, then we'll be seeing players on one knee for many more games.

Not sure that many changes helps and what is the line up  ... weird.

I too have wanted to see Stephens in midfield. Away to City great place to try it out ... not.

Redmond for Tella was obvious. He better player well or the haters will vent.

Feels like McCarthy has been thrown under a bus. This could be 5 or 6 against.

Mind you decent of City to not play a striker

I've reserved my space behind the sofa. 

Clubs pay what a player is worth, be it winning games or shirt sales. Plus compensation for the contract 

JWP doesn't really hit the mark brand wise, but contract wise he has big value. It will take a lot to prise him away, same scenario as Lallana.

Main issue is whether there is an available spot at a club that can afford him. That's City, Utd, Liverpool, or Chelsea. Maybe Spurs, Everton, or West Ham but can't see it. The Arse never buy English. 

The top 4 all have good players in those positions, so unlikely at the moment.

Vestergaard is a far more likely target 

1 hour ago, DT said:

Would be madness to bring in McCarthy and Redmond. Start same team after a win following slump. Only way to build. 

With the fragile nature of the squad that wouldn't be sensible. There have been major injuries in every game recently, can't risk that against City.

Forster should play, no need to change. Redmond definitely should play. On current form we can all see that will weaken the team, but not disastrously, he knows his job and just needs to do the best he can. Crucially he is fit and it will protect Tella or Minimano.

Similarly I would play Stephens at RB. Wouldn't be terrible but clearly makes it easier for City. Ralph has to protect KWP.

It is ridiculous that, as fans, we have to contemplate and accept playing a weakened side. Questions need to be asked of the owners, but we are where we are. Need to tough it out.

All about keeping the system going and not exposing players. Defence should be the same, maybe Ramsey/Stephens as a sub for KWP to conserve fitness.

Redmond  and Djenepo to start, use them to conserve other players' fitness for Brighton.

Other than that business as usual. Perhaps give Salisu or Jankewitz 20 mins at the end.

Could get a draw City will get bored at some point.

4 hours ago, HKsaint said:

I will try to defend like we did against Chelsea. If Redmond is not in the team, then we will have a hope to get a point. 

Ridiculous post, he has been an integral part of many good wins in the past. Just because he's struggling at the moment, there is no need to turn on him.

45 minutes ago, Shroppie said:

This is now a major part of the problem. WGS always said you have to be brave on the ball to win matches and that's true. When we were doing well in the Autumn we weren't afraid to take risks, which often led to chances, because there was confidence that if we lost the ball, we'd work hard to win it back and could defend.

Now we're afraid of the consequences of losing the ball and we've become too risk-averse and therefore predictable and less dangerous. The loss of confidence can be put down to the injuries and constantly changing team. The settled team knew each other, trusted each other and their reactions and plays were almost automatic. 

With Ings out, and then Redmond, followed by Armstrong, Djenepo and Walcott at different times, the elements of the press lost their automation. Losing Vestergaard broke a solid understanding at CB and made us more vulnerable and at the same time, with Romeu and/or Diallo out the ability to win the ball back and stem opposition attacks in midfield vanished. It became too easy for teams to find attacking passes. Then finally losing KWP we've an attacking threat, an out ball and pace in defensive covering have all been missed.

Since Danny's been back you can see his frustration: things just aren't working and he's not getting the service which arises from quick, incisive and imaginative passes.

It'll be contentious, but although Salisu will eventually be a good player for us, at the moment he is nowhere near justifying breaking up the Bednarek/Vest partnership. I thought we improved significantly when he went off. You can't underestimate the importance of understanding in a settled defence.

And I feel sorry for McCarthy. Playing behind a constantly changing defence has affected his confidence but for me he should still be first choice. FF doesn't relieve pressure as he's permanently rooted to his line. His kicking was ok last night and he made a couple of timely dashes out to collect through balls, but I don't think he covered himself in glory for the goal: he was easily dumped on the floor and rounded from an acute angle.

So, we obviously need KWP and Diallo back (although Armstrong was brilliant in that position). Then, for me, preferably McCarthy back but definitely no Salisu. His time will come, but not now 

I think Ings and Tella could work together. Redmond is a liability at the moment so my AMs are Armstrong plus Djenepo/Minamino.

 

Dead right on Salisu, good player no doubt on that, but he's 21 and still learning. The Bendarek/ Vestergaard partnership is the most solid at the moment.

Ralph has to find a consistent team, at the moment they are strangers to one another.

3 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

“Redmond just short of confidence”

Are you joking? He’s short of skill, bravery, nous, direction, intelligence, ability, wherewithal and aggression. Other than that he’s my first choice. He’s been shite for two years now but Ralph can’t see it. 

I was being kind. He had a terrible game but I don't think slagging our players helps.

Doubt you'll get many disagreements.

10 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I don't think it's fair to say that's a weakened team tbh. Not even close.

Relative really weakened as they left out 3 regulars but certainly not weak i agree.

3 minutes ago, Suhari said:

What with!

Now that's a very good point. I am obviously assuming some sort of change of ownership. Otherwise .......

Bendarek at RB will never work, Ralph has to find a better solution.

The horrible truth is that Ancelloti knew we were weak and sent out a weakened team. It worked, he has fresher players next week.

Armstrong excellent, Redmond just shot of confidence. Tella can play in his position, that should be the change.

Blue line, move on, Ramsey at RB for Utd.

All about survival now and then rebuild for next year. 

1 minute ago, woodsaint1 said:

Literally cant believe our free kick setup. Zonal marking the 18 yard line it appears. You have to compete and make it difficult for the opposition, not hope for some luck. If Everton could time their runs better it would game over.

This it is madness, Everton will crack that at some point.

1 minute ago, Captain Jack said:

only a 7-1 defeat from about 100 years ago.

Oh don't please some of us where there.

Players are mentally shattered, they desperately need a goal. 

Tella for Redmond please

17 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I shall watch because I feel it’s my duty. Rather like sitting at the bedside of a long-loved relative who is on their last legs

We'll all watch, we are mainline  football addicts. Try not watching or checking the score.

Imagine not watching and missing a storming win.

It is like going to the dentist, horrible experience but worse if you don't.

7 minutes ago, Big Ron fan said:

My guess:

Forster

Ramsey Bednarek  Vestergaard Bertrand

Jankewitz JWP 

Djenneppo Armstrong

Ings Adams

 

Forster won't play, they want rid of his wages so guaranteed he won't be given any encouragement

13 minutes ago, Shroppie said:

With no confidence whatsoever, I'm guessing:

Mccarthy

Ramsey Bednarek Salisu Vestergaard Bertrand

Jankewitz JWP 

Redmond Armstrong

Ings

 

 

 

Blimey that sets our stall out somewhat. I doubt he'd put Jankowitz in a 2 man midfield, far too exposed for a second game. Although the first at 2 minutes hardly counts.

Ramsey is all over the club media so he is clearly starting as you surmised.

I think it will be

McCarthy

Ramsey Salisu Vestergaard Bertrand

Moussa JWP Janko Armstrong

Ings Redmond

16 hours ago, stevy777_x said:

We could have sent him on loan last season and then have him challenge Bertrand this season

He'd already had 2 loans, he wanted 1st team football.

Became too good to keep as a back up, but not good enough to replace Bertrand. Right decision but annoying.

3 hours ago, Saint Pete said:

Most premier league clubs would not leave themselves with no specialist full back cover (regardless of injuries) though would they?

I get that Valery ain't great but he is a specialist full back and he has played a significant number of PL games. Sorry but I think you can count the number of PL clubs who would have loaned him out with no replacement in the midst of an injury crisis on one finger.

This,that decision is incomprehensible. He had experience, knew the drill and by now would be established in the team. Certainly better than the current shambles.

We really shouldn't be debating about Stephens. He is experienced, certainly not useless, and he is needed. That doesn't mean he is the chosen one, far from it. I've always liked his attitude but something is amiss this year, we can all see that.

If he does get a chance at RB, then it is going to be last chance saloon.

Playing him in midfield is very risky, it could work, but I don't think he has the pace for that position. He would be a strong enforcer there so it isn't without merits.

However, Jankewitz has to be given another chance. He is the future. We'll probably lose so make it a low key game for Alex. Chance for him to establish himself.

Whatever happens, it needs to be a step towards a season long solution. No more patchwork.