Farewell Vert ?

I still think the way Poch lives to set up - with all width from fullback and four out and out attackers who play within the width of the penalty box primarily- is very hard to pull off. It puts tremendous pressure on the two centre backs and two centre mids. It's no surprise we look shoddy at times. It almost becomes a 424.

To me, that style needs two defensive-minded midfielders in the main - one to drop in between the centre backs when both fullbacks go and have both defensive nous and a good pass, and the other to stay central and be able to control a game, be tactically disciplined and strong & mobile.

Unfortunately for us, although we have an ideal player for reach role it is the same one - Bentaleb!

The number 10 needs to be a bit more disciplined when we overload going forward too - performing a halfway house between what Eriksen does currently, and Mason does.

Inside forwards (or any other technical phrase people decide to use) doesn't really work unless they're very good. Ours don't vary their movement enough and tend to just stay inside and congest things.

comment by Ledley's knee surgeon: Football Manager legend - The Barca MSN... Treble 2015!!! (U20121)
posted 1 minute ago
Inside forwards (or any other technical phrase people decide to use) doesn't really work unless they're very good. Ours don't vary their movement enough and tend to just stay inside and congest things.
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there are every few out and out wingers in modern day European football.. top level anyway... not sure why it went out of style.. perhaps crosses into the box were becoming too easy to defend...

to be fair... whether he moves or not, chadli scores goals, so no complaints there

Yes whilst Chadli doesn't do an awful lot in terms of general play, his goal and assists numbers are actually decent (better than Sterling's last season).

Townsend is so obvious when it comes to cutting in off the flank to shoot with his left foot, and Lamela is too slow in making decisions although I think we all saw some improvements from him in the last 4-5 games of the season.

Firstly, both Lloris and Kane took the armband over Vertonghen last season so I don’t see any difference there.

Secondly, I thought it was madness making Kane captain for certain games last season and even though he now has one season under his belt, I still think it is way too premature and if we want him to keep his feet firmly on the floor then this can’t be helping.

And lastly, I agree with Chronic on Vertonghen. I don’t think he’s anywhere near as good as some posters think he is. I think the goals he scored in his first season papered over some for his performances and gave him a higher status than he deserved. Other defenders (you know who I’m talking about ) would often get blamed for us conceding goals when the player out of position or making the mistake was in fact Vertonghen. I would rather he stayed as it stands, simply because we are extremely weak in the CB area but he’s not the super slick defender he’s often portrayed as.

Secondly, I thought it was madness making Kane captain for certain games last season and even though he now has one season under his belt, I still think it is way too premature and if we want him to keep his feet firmly on the floor then this can’t be helping.

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agreed

I thougt it was a poor decision by Poch, and I do not want Kane to be captain or vice captain... his only concern should be sticking the ball in the net

I think you'd get much more out of Lamela if the player at number 10 was more disciplined, or if a winger was on the other flank.

It's rare you are going to have three goalscoring attacking players AND a centreforward. It unbalanced the side. That's why we look better as a team when Townsend or Lennon start instead of Lamela - not because they are more skilful, or have a better goal threat, but because they are some ying to a team with a lot of yang.

To me Chadli scoring his goals is in large part due to him having the outstanding Danny Rose (attackingwise anyway) behind him too. I can't stress how important that is enough, getting the overlap to make pockets of room.

Interesting piece with a Burnley journo, not sure if anyone has seen it. Basically said Trippier is definitely the bigger loss of him and Ings.

Reckons he is the best RB he has seen there in all his years (not the highest of praise I know), and that his final ball is unbelievable from any position - whipped in, crosses from dee, wgatever. Also said he was great going forward from the off, Dyche has tightened him up defensively, and that he can see him breaking in to the England side.

Verts....one of the few (perhaps only) players to have been called offside in their own half of the field. I like him anyway.

john,

That was an outrageous decision. Could not believe my eyes!