saintant

He didn't play against China which I thought was the first game?

For me THB has always looked a better player when we use a back four - he seems not to be comfortable as one of three centre backs and unsure of his role. Play a back four and I believe we'll get more out of THB and the team. JS has been a good and loyal servant but we cannot keep picking him because he is not quick enough in both speed of thought and action and his awareness of where danger lurks has always been an issue.

I was half joking and I sincerely hope the last week has been well spent on the training ground and tactician board because there's much to learn.

I don't deny he makes the odd tweaks but fundamentally he changes very little from game to game. A master tactician he aint. He could try learning from those better at it than he is and will if he has any sense.

It's well worth watching the video on AnfieldIndex.com entitled Tactical Masterclass; How Liverpool Overpowered Manchester United. It demonstrates the way Liverpool set traps for Man Utd and the fine detail that Arne Slot went into to produce such an emphatic victory. It makes RM's one-trick pony approach to every game where he says this is how we play and we're not changing look very lightweight. It's this attitude that will eventually see the owners lose patience with him. Clearly someone like Arne Slot is light years ahead of him and it must be a real buzz to have a coach in charge who delves so deeply into each and every game. I get that Liverpool have far better players than we do but it also reinforces the benefit of having a progressive manager who understands the game so well.

I've heard he's on holiday for a fortnight.

Russ and the players have probably had the week off.

Looks a talent and is 6' tall which is a plus. Doubt we'd get him even if interest is genuine as he seems to be being touted to nearly every club in the Premier League.

Play a double pivot and then Dibling could be one of the three in front of them.

Ramsdale Sugawara THB Bednarek Taylor Big Les Downes KWP Fernandes Cornet Archer Decent minutes off the bench for Dibling and Lallana.

I don't think there is a specific thread for 4-2-3-1 but quite a few including me have been suggesting it's the way to go. If you look at the most successful teams in the Premier League the only side who don't is Arsenal. Liverpool didn't under Klopp but they do now. Why would a team not adopt the same formation as the best which includes Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Villa, Spurs, Bournemouth, Fulham, Brighton and West Ham? Do we think our way is better? Makes no sense to me.

Was it tip tap possession football playing out from the back? If not Russ won't be interested.

You're probably right in that Dibling is perhaps not quite ready to start games but let's see him given as many minutes as possible. Just watched Sugawara's goal against Brentford again and the pass Dibling plays to Lallana is absolutely sublime. It's on the Southampton FC Official site with views from numerous different angles. Lallana's movement is also impressive as, of course, is Sugawara's finish. More minutes for Dibling and Lallana please.

Well we may have only scored one goal but it is in the running for August goal of the month. So definitely quality over quantity for us. Could be a dangerous way to go!

What are the Onuachu stories?

I completely agree that the team spirit and bond between players and manager is a big plus at this current time. However, this was built last season when we won far more games than we lost. Nothing builds team spirit/bond more than winning. Conversely, if we continue on the current losing trajectory that is when team spirit/bond will be stress tested and we may see a less happy camp as a result. Another important reason why RM needs to get some wins under his belt asap.

Think you mean Dibling rather than Ballard but some perfectly reasonable suggestions there along with a sensible formation of 4-2-3-1

Agree and I'm not saying conversations aren't taking place behind closed doors. What I doubt is that anyone in the press has any concrete evidence about any such conversations. You are spot on and RMs team selection and set-up will be a barometer as to what lies ahead and whether he has worked on anything different during the 2 week international break. We'll see.

I'm not buying the media sources rumours and believe it is just click bait. My guess is that he still has the full backing of the owners and, at this stage, they will not be interfering with or criticising how he sets up the team. Clearly this may change if his tactics bring more defeats, soft goals and unrest among the fans.

Unfortunately Captain Jack seems to be the first name on the team sheet. Seeing as he's never been more than a slightly below average centre back I fail to see the logic.

Unfortunately this is RM's philosophy which he refuses to compromise. He seems hell bent on trying to produce a team that scores the perfect goals every time and it is just not realistic. These goals, on the few occasions they happen, look fantastic but the problem is they are the exception rather than the norm. Can he stop the tippy tappy suicidal short passing at the back that we continue to do and mix things up? I'm not convinced, it seems to be built into his DNA and will likely be his downfall. Unless he demonstrates to the contrary what we are seeing is all he has in his locker.

With the right starting team and a shift in tactics I think we could draw with Utd, beat Ipswich and maybe get a draw at Bournemouth which would improve things. Carry on with the same tactics and we'll likely end up with 3 more defeats even if RM changes some of his starting team.

Ah, more sweeping under the carpet to be done at a later date as lip service is provided. All a giant smoke screen to deflect attention from when Man City are exonerated for all their charges.

I'm now hearing it's another couple of weeks.

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