Donatello

Did he say as much in his immediate post-match interview or something? Or is there an article about this somewhere? Ta.

Why would Eric Black be the problem? :S (more so than Puel, I mean) What did the "ITKs" say? Thanks in advance.

Update: Blackmore misheard Puel. Bertrand ill. Not heel.

Beats me. People are asking Blackmore, but he hasn't responded yet.

Bertrand had an injury to his heel and thus couldn't play, according to Adam Blackmore.

That's where I would agree....there has been a downgrade in central midfield overall....but that problem is then exacerbated to some extent by playing 3CMs (only one of whom I'd regard as a solid top half player). Of course you could argue that an extra CM is an attempt to offset the drop in quality, but it's patently not working. As for RB, I think Cedric's been far improved this season.

Patchy, but far from attrocious. The squad is better than current performances. Or it could be, at least.

Wanyama replaced by Rom. Mane replaced by Boufal. Pelle replaced by Austin. I'm not defending the sales/Reed, but the replacement of Pelle is the only one which I'd be unhappy about. The board, Puel, and the players all share an element of responsibility...but no one other than Puel can be held responsible for playing players who are totally unsuited to his 4-3-3 system. He needs to recognise the players A) aren't suited, or B) aren't good enough for said system, and adapt accordingly. You can't continually persist with something that is failing.

That's the concerning thing. This is now way a 3-0 performance. It's a 0-0 performance which we've contrived to lose.

I'm beginning to come around to this Puel out malarkey (and I'm an optimist)

Long on. Looks to be playing wide right. His favourite position

Puel has to replace players in midfield. Clasie, JWP, and Rom are all dead on their legs. The f*ck is he so reluctant to make changes?

Redmond not staying with Coleman ffs

It is. People are being too critical today.

Poor thing Anyway, unless injured, wholly negative.

It's already been asked......but Sims?

I too voted for Puel to remain, but I'm now beginning to tire. As Batman alluded to in the match thread, Koeman was supposedly a couple of games away from the boot this time last year, at a time when he was on the same number of points, had conceded the same number of goals, but had scored seven more. In Puel's defence, Koeman had better attacking options, but his tactics hardly endear him...perhaps he's just being pragmatic though...which runs it's own risks since you're either boring and winning, or boring and losing, the latter being a toxic combination. I just wish he'd change formation from time to time, when 4-3-3 isn't working. Play with two strikers (if we're going to continue being cross-obsessed). Play with four attack minded players. 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-3, 3-5-2...there's so much variety, but such little exploration of it.

He did get a hand to it, didn't he? Or are my eyes deceiving me?

I don't think we can be too disatisfied with the performance...it's been okay considering Brom are sitting back. Attrocious goalkeeping from Forster for their goal though. Not even that he didn't save it, but rather that he was operating in a different time zone.

Great control by JRod in the build-up.

Decent point. Anyway, I can't imagine Puel is at risk at all. A top-half finish and a league cup semi-final will probably ensure that he's here next season, regardless of playing style.

If we're insisting on crossing like maniacs against a tall defence, why take Long off? JRod and Long should both be on. Too much caution.

When was the 'There's only one Ronald Koeman' song supposedly sung (approximately)? Be interesting to see if it was picked up by the camera/mics using the link Trousers posted.

Thanks.

Has he actually said that? I haven't been following he pressers, so that's a genuine Q.