Donatello

VVD. No contest

I think most people recognise that Cortese was responsible for Pochettino's arrival in English football. It's just that, rather unsurprisingly, it doesn't come up all that often in conversation on account of it occurring over three years ago, and having little relevance to today.

This x 1000. Benjii has had issues with Leicester's success for a while. Bit disappointing to see S-Clarke joining in with the nonsense.

I didn't think he had a good game either. MKIII? Admittedly he didn't have much service, but when he did have the ball he looked a tad clumsy.

It's odd, he's turned Oviedo inside out, and yet I wouldn't say he's had a good game.

So it's a....must win?

Strangely, I think he's looked good as CB/LCB, and jaded at LB.

Meh, he didn't look remotely dangerous to me. Long has been busy/threatening, but his touch, and in particular his decision making, has been very poor. Also, hahaha. How'd that go in?!

Too many players coasting (mentally).

Insane.

Has he?! That's presumably why we haven't scored then

Prowse to right midfield for me.

We're cutting through their midfield like there not even there, but the passing and control around their 18yard box has been very messy.

This is probably the long and short of it. Ultimately, none of our strikers are top notch, and so when played on their own they can become marginalised. So playing a front two is seemingly the way we should be heading (which sounds odd these days). However, Long is certainly the more important component in our front two (imo). What seems to be being dismissed as "running around a lot" in a few posts, is actually conducive to being able to play a front two. If you're sacrificing a midfield player in order to play an extra striker, then defending (in the form of pressing) from the front seems like a must to me. So, with that being said, Long should always form the basis of our front two, whether that be with Pelle/Austin/Mane. Long and Pelle works, Pelle and Austin wouldn't (again, imo). My main criticism of Pelle would be his constant bemoaning of team mates. Does my swede in. If you're going to whine and b*itch, at least be the best player on the pitch (and even that's a tenuous excuse). Oh, and the flicks...but as mentioned previously (I forget which thread...the Gaston thread, I think), I've seen a reduction in this aspect of his game in recent weeks.

Namely because Clasie's legs went after (~)65mins, so presumably Koeman wanted to flesh out the central midfield area (he started wide-right). There's clearly some logic in it.

Agreed....but I wasn't advocating 4-2-3-1 (because I think it's fairly evident that Long benefits from playing in a front two), nor claiming the contrary.

That's fair enough, of course...but to suggest JWP's mobility is a significant improvement on that of Clasie or Romeu doesn't wash with me (he's frequently cited on here for being painfully slow), if that's what you're implying. At any rate, at no point did I suggest any of them are to replace Davis in AM...hence Sadio Mane. Oh, and I personally do consider Romeu to be a box-to-box (in terms of his skillset). P.S Yes, it will be JWP for Davis in all likelihood, but I was stating my preference, not Koeman's

Nothing gets past you (save for humour/Twitter jokes). Clasie and Romeu are as defensive/deep as they're told to be. Both are comfortable further up the field, particularly Romeu.

That's what I said! (Ta )

No need for a back five vs Newcastle (imo). -------------Forster------------ Cedric--Fonte--VVD--Bertrand -----Vic----Clasie----Romeu---- --------------Mane------------- -------Austin--------Long------- Bench - Stek, Martina, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic, JRod, Pelle. Clasie to drop deep to collect possession from CBs/Forster/etc. Flexible enough to adapt to 4-2-3-1 if FBs are too exposed. Edit: Forgot that Davis did his ankle in (or whatever it was).

Exactly, although, you have to admire his blind perseverance (In all seriousness, I don't think it's been as prominent recently, but it's still a flaw all the same).

That is of course assuming that he hasn't given away possession on the halfway line.

Besides the static box play today, the most frustrating moment for me was when Steven Davis was counter-attacking, Pelle, rather than run with play/at the defense, decided to pause and offer a short ball option a few yards over the halfway line, leaving Davis with only Mane ahead of him. I mean, what was Pelle planning to do, knock a 40 yard ball over the top for Mane? 'Cos that's his bread and butter Surely he should be running forward, pulling defenders with him, creating space for Davis, looking for a through ball, etc.

Granted, but you haven't answered his/her question.

Looks like we've run out of steam now. Incidentally, and I know it's already been mention, but Quinn is such a sycophant. Same can be said for when he comments on Man City and Sunderland games.