Starting XI vs AC Milan

comment by Shola The Ameobi Shoretire (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
But that doesn’t prove anything. Like I said, it’s situational. And it isn’t something that I think is massively contributing to our failings whilst defending them, plenty of teams that pack their own box are good at defending set pieces.
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But we aren’t good at defending them, so therefore it is a problem and it’s worth exploring as one of the reasons why.
Situational? City, although scoring a few this year, are hardly renowned for lumping it into the box or for having overly tall side, so why would we set up like that against them, 50 mins in at 0-0, if it’s situational???. Look at the goals against Southampton (away) it was the same, Everton and tonight too (albeit those both late in the game), that’s just off the top of my head. And it’s not just set prices, our whole defensive mantra seems to be to defend in numbers and not much else, look at the disallowed goal tonight from the throw in or the winner by Sheff United, in both cases we have loads of bodies but no-one takes control, they are all waiting for others to do it, that’s the problem when you flood your defence with numbers but do assign roles and responsibilities, it’s all ‘after you’ type defending.
Obviously there is player responsibility too, but it’s we are allowing the players that autonomy in these situations.

do not assign roles*

comment by Shola The Ameobi Shoretire (U10026)
posted 17 minutes ago
Haaland wouldn’t have us competing for everything. We’d still have plenty of issues with the team and a manager that isn’t good enough.
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Oh I think he would. Great strikers hide many other issues

Because we aren’t always packing the box, there will be times when we do and times when we don’t, City have been a threat at set pieces this season as well. I completely agree that we need to explore why this is an issue, beyond the obvious issues with personnel. I just don’t think packing the box is as regular as you say, nor do I think it’s a hugely contributing factor to why we are conceding so many in these situations.

They can, but they can’t hide the many weaknesses we have in the team and the management that is contributing to it. There are plenty of top strikers that haven’t been able to get their team competing for the title, especially up against stiff opposition. Haaland is actually one such striker, Dortmund are miles off in the league despite his brilliance.

comment by Shola The Ameobi Shoretire (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Because we aren’t always packing the box, there will be times when we do and times when we don’t, City have been a threat at set pieces this season as well. I completely agree that we need to explore why this is an issue, beyond the obvious issues with personnel. I just don’t think packing the box is as regular as you say, nor do I think it’s a hugely contributing factor to why we are conceding so many in these situations.
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It is certainly not the only reason but for me it’s a contributing factor. But just agree to disagree.

I don't say you can put Haaland in Sheffield Uniteds and make them champions. But in our team, yes they can.
RVP in 2013 showed the way

Doire

But Haaland’s playing in a team of a similar level to us now and can’t do it.

RVP also played in a team with multiple premier league winners and the best manager of all team. The same team got the same amount of points the season before with Danny Welbeck up front.

You aren’t comparing apples with apples here.

comment by Shola The Ameobi Shoretire (U10026)
posted 4 minutes ago
Doire

But Haaland’s playing in a team of a similar level to us now and can’t do it.

RVP also played in a team with multiple premier league winners and the best manager of all team. The same team got the same amount of points the season before with Danny Welbeck up front.

You aren’t comparing apples with apples here.

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I don't think Dortmund are the same level as us.
It's generally acknowledged by match going fans then, that RVP was instrumental in us winning the league

Well I don’t know what to say then, as the evidence is there to suggest they are. In fact, they’ve been closer to the title winning team than we have in recent years.

RVP was instrumental, but he was also playing in a team that had won everything. With the best manager ever. It’s not like where we are now.