saintant

Can't decide whether there is not much going on in terms of transfers and we're sticking with what we've got or the CoT is not releasing any clues because of too much sledging. Either way it makes the end of this window pretty dull so far and I hope things pep up a bit.

It is for Baz 🙂

Agree but, traditionally and certainly prior to the failed vanity project, we have generally done better when we are set up and play in a way that gives our opponents more possession. We concede so many goals when the opposition launches a fast break on us after turning over possession. Maybe less is more as they say.

We had 52.7% possession against Newcastle.

We're gonna do it - time to book the open top bus and spec out your best vantage point for the tour of the City. It's going to make the 1976 FA Cup City tour look like a funeral procession 🙂

Unfortunately it's going to take time to unpick the bad habits and change from walking football to something more dynamic.

Simply we are by far the lowest net spenders trying to survive in the elite league by picking up mainly young players who may or may not produce a good sell on profit. Add in Russball which clearly was never going to work and led to a constant flow of ridiculous mistakes and then factor in SR who are clueless and you have concocted the perfect storm to produce a team and squad not geared to win matches in the Premier League. We are like a blindfolded boxer fighting with both hands tied behind his back. The reasons for our demise are pretty obvious really.

Think it's first time we've lost 6 in a row at home.

Think we'll win a couple of those home games and pick up 2-3 draws so another 8 or 9 points will get us over the line.

What does this mean?

Would love some rumours that we are in for a couple of big, strong, athletic, mobile midfielders who get their foot in, know how to break up play and do the simple stuff because we are constantly getting bullied and out muscled in every game. I hope IJ is looking to address this - too many small, slight weaklings is never going to get you far in the elite league.

I guess if you want to emphasise how bad we've been this season then 16 goals scored and 53 conceded in 23 games speaks volumes.

For what it's worth I totally agree with you that 4231 is the way to go and have been banging that drum for ages.

I agree apart from you saying 'go back to'. When did we ever play this formation before?

Martin had a full preseason with players he'd managed the season before. Juric inherited an unfit squad drilled into playing walking, keep-ball football and suicidal passing out from our own penalty area. I remain unconvinced that our desperately poor performances are not the result of the shortcomings and vanity project of the previous manager.

Juric has a tough task and I think he is doing a lot of things well and improving us despite the continuation of poor results. However, I'm not convinced about playing with a back 5 and we are doing it very badly. A back five should never part like the Red Sea and allow an opponent to waltz unchallenged through the middle to score - it happened twice yesterday and will carry on happening unless we are better drilled. The 3rd goal was a complete joke because THB and Bednarek were miles apart and I don't even know where Bree was. In addition we are still failing to close down, mark players or put in tackles when opponents attack - this is basic stuff and an unfortunate carry over from the previous manager but IJ must drill the players to carry out these basics. We cannot continue to ship 3 goals every game. I'd like to see him try 4231 which is what most sides play these days. THB is never happy in a back 5.

Shouldn't be that difficult 🙂

Do they have any key players with injuries? 🙂

Thanks for your service 🙂

Maybe reading between the lines we've agreed to sell him to Newcastle 🙂

Why are you mentioning world football? Our transfers can only be compared with our peers in the Premier League and, in that sphere, we can be classed as poor.

So you don't think staged payments are to the advantage of the richest clubs and to the detriment of poor clubs like us then? Ok 🙂

Therein lies the problem - we all know it will not be a lump sum but stage payments.

We used to have a very good home record against these but not since Eddie Howe went there. Time to change that and get a much needed victory. We still owe them for the time under Covid they pulled the player shortage card so let's make Saturday pay-back time.

Looks to be a younger version of Lallana so potential to be a good signing who, if he comes, could learn a fair bit from training alongside Adam.