egg

What you're describing are different tactics.

What I heard was during the season. Since then we've had promotion, and the new contract. I take from it was they had doubts and were willing to be fire the bullet. Why they gave him a new contract is anyone's guess, but if they had doubts last season, they surely have them now.

Agree with all of that. From what I heard last season, RM was lucky to go into this season as manager despite us going up. He doesn't have long imo. Archer has got something about him. Good touch, movement and finishing. He'll be good for us and is a very sound investment.

The errors are coming because players are being asked to do what they shouldn't be asked to do, and frankly, cannot do. Example, the much maligned Stephens can't be blamed for being unable to take the ball on the half turn in midfield and instead play it backwards, leading to a THB error, and a goal. Neither player should have that expectation on them - they're defenders. Use tactics that suit the players and you get less mistakes like that, and in less dangerous errors. Stats are BS when you lose every week.

And that's the main point. Not good enough to play this way does not mean that they're not good enough to play at this level. Play them to their strengths, and don't put them under pressure with stupid tactics, and they'll do better.

I don't think people need to suggest names to have an opinion that a different coach could get more out of these players. In the same way us fans didn't have to suggest names to get upgraded players in the window. These people exist. It's not our job as fans to nominate them.

It's the football version of del boy's "this time next year we'll be millionaires Rodney".

That pre supposes that ABK is an option. Who's your back 4 if no ABK?

Too early to panic imo, but playing the RM way, we have no chance. I think this group of players, set up sensibly, and not playing suicidal football, has a decent chance.

Who would be your back 4?

He was, in the championship. AA was our best attacker. By your metric, AA should be our best attacker in the PL. It's a daft metric though. THB needs taking out of the firing line. I'd play Taylor as one of a 3.

Our whole set up and tactics are just wrong. Inverted this that that and the other is nonsense. Play a square peg in a square hole, and play people where they can be effective. We had a normal set up on Wednesday. In the league games it was sensible at Newcastle, but has gone to shit since then. RM has tried to be clever.

Yes, but we ain't got time to hope that THB improves. RM can only play Bednarek and the best he's got available to him on current form and anyone who's watched us will know that ain't THB. We all want THB to be good enough, but if we're being honest, he isn't at the moment.

On that we agree. I'm not saying Stephens is a PL level CB either. What I'm saying is that this season RM, rightly or wrongly, RM has chosen to play a back 3. He's chosen to freeze ABK out, again rightly or wrongly. Of the CB's available to him, Stephens will obviously be one of the 3. People are clambering for him to be dropped. That would mean that THB stays in the team, but he's a novice at this level and is struggling.

Because that was an RM coached back 4. And it was shit.

Another with hindsight. ABK has about as much chance of playing as me or you mate.

And here's another one. Have you watched us this season? If so, who's been better, Stephens or THB? Of the two, do to really think Stephens should drop out? How did we do Wednesday with a back 4? Did we concede more goals today with a back 3 or back 4 playing? It's pretty obvious why he's playing a 3, and why Stephens is one of the 3. People ain't thinking before posting.

Yep. Lots of people seem to have a master degree in hindsight at the moment, and poor memories.

Are you seriously suggesting that THB should be playing ahead of Stephens at the moment? He's the liability at the moment.

Fernandes would have been knackered after Wednesday (his first start for us) so I completely get not starting him, ditto Lesley and Dibling. Ramsdale is a different issue, he hadn't played midweek, and keepers could probably play every day. On the main point, I fundamentally disagree that wholesale changes after 2 games is anything other than an overreaction, and wouldn't have helped morale amongst players who are probably struggling a wee bit anyway. Now he's got to change things. Formation, tactics, personnel, everything.

Hindsight doesn't help us, but if he was determined to play a back 3, he had to start Stephens. Indeed, based on the CB's performances over the first 3 games, he's been better than THB and I'm getting bored with people saying Stephens shouldn't be playing. You've got to be nuts to say that THB is a better option at the moment. Armstrong. Who else at the start of the season should have started ahead of him? A crocked Lallana? Dibling would be a hindsight pick if people are being honest. There was nobody else. Ditto Aribo. Smallbone too for that matter. Now, I'd introduce Fernandes and Lallana ahead of Smallbone and Aribo. Neither of those were options at the start of the season.

Yep. In a 433 I think he'd be great either from the middle, or coming in from out wide in the way Lallana did in his prime. He reminds me of a faster and bigger Lallana and used properly, he'll be brilliant for us.

Different points. Changing half the team after 2 games would have been an over reaction and would have had a massive impact on the dressing room. Regardless, the issue is partly the team he picked, but mostly the way he has them playing. He should get his own house in order before throwing the players under the bus.

On this we do agree.

I'd imagine that morale amongst players will fall like a stone if he does that.