egg

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.

Good post, and hard to disagree. Lallana can be replaced by Dibling when he tires.

I think there's a bit of that happening. 30+ players to keep happy, and few of them being played to their strengths. He's in danger of losing the changing room as quickly as he's losing the fans. If he stays we're down. Sure, he may bring us back up, but we'll go back down again. I'm not saying that he needs to go yet, but him going at some point feels inevitable unless he can be less dogmatic to his style and get the best out the players.

But, but, but, it's Stephens who must be dropped. Or something.

Tactically we were exposed by runners at the defenders. Sure, offensively we were great at times, but defensively we were exposed. 3 goals conceded to the reserve team of the bottom of the championship team ain't the best argument for the same system away at Brentford.

I think Wednesday night answers the question.

What a ridiculous comment. Tactics aren't dictated by Stephens. A back is being played cos he feels we need a back 3

I've never suggested Stephens is a competent midfielder or LB! He's a CB. He's playing CB. He was better there last week than THB. Who are those calling for him to be dropped saying should replace him in a back 3?!

Yep. I reckon BBD and AA will play closer together today and the 3 midfielders will be more compact, joining the front 2 when we can. Played differently, the team ain't a bad one. Agreed re the subs. I can see Dibling getting decent minutes too.

Sure, Stephens was crap at LB but he ain't a LB. He was decent as a CB and is playing there today. Based on their respective performances at CB last week, I can't understand how anyone watching would call for Stephens to be dropped. And for who, assuming we stay with a 3 - neither Edwards or Wood looked anywhere near good enough in the week.

Agreed. I genuinely wonder how many of the people whining that he's playing today actually watched the Forest game. Anyone who watched the game and wants him to be dropped after that performance, and THB's in comparison, needs to give their head a wobble.

That's nonsense, unless you think that stats tell the story. I'd hazard a guess that Archer will have scored more in the Arsenal team than he did elsewhere, and that Nketiah will have scored less in a lesser team than the Arsenal team. I understand your point, but I think it's wrong. I don't agree that we must have a Pelle esque striker to stay up. You've ignored most of the examples I've given of non Pelle esque strikers who've done well. I'd hazard a guess that's because you know I'm right.

He's not Angus Gunn. He's not a goalkeeper. Pointless comparison. Those 41 appearances are mostly sub appearances, and mostly for short periods. That's a terrible stat to use. The fact is that he's scored 4 prem goals in not many starts. He can do it at this level. He's been preferred (quite rightly imo) for England u21 to the Delap who people were upset we didn't get. We got the better player. He's better than the Nketiah who Palace paid double for. Sure he ain't a Pelle esque type player. Downes ain't a Wanyama type DM but he's effective in DM. HWB ain't a hurly burly CB but he's effective. Centre forwards don't have to be big and bulky - that Aguero lad did ok, Robbie Fowler also back in the day, Ian Wright, Jermaine Defo, countless others. It's complete nonsense to suggest that without a Pelle-esque CF we can't stay up. There's too much flapping from some. Play to Archers strengths and he'll do well for us.

Him getting picked for England, and overlooked when he thinks he shouldn't, would mess with his head more than it would for most. Going there he'll have zero expectation of an England pick, so he'll never feel rejected. The move works for him on many levels.

That's the issue. Who? I'm no scout so can't say, but it doesn't alter the fact that our squad would be better with one. That said, I'm very happy with what we have, and there's still TP.

Looks that way. The fella looks knackered - dangerous combination of the honeymoon period and a transfer window probably.

Forgot to rate it. A solid 8. Would have been a 9 with a proper 9. A 10 if we'd managed to trim the wage bill more and shift some unwanted players as well.