I mean at least we didn’t lose. Maybe if Josh had played the last game we would have drawn instead of lost as well.

The more I think about it, the more I realise we absolutely do need transfers this window if we want to get anything out of this season. Feels like Maresca isn't trusting the bench - can see why in a way but it's not sustainable. Something has to give

We are always crap at the end/start of the year though, other than seasons where we ended up winning the league.

I’ll be surprised if anyone can recall otherwise.

Top 4 is definitely a big challenge even though it should be the minimum target after finishing 6th last season.

City will recover and overtake us, so that leaves us competing with the likes of Villa, Newcastle and Forest. There’s no reason why we should see ourselves as inferior to those teams though.

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted less than a minute ago
Top 4 is definitely a big challenge even though it should be the minimum target after finishing 6th last season.

City will recover and overtake us, so that leaves us competing with the likes of Villa, Newcastle and Forest. There’s no reason why we should see ourselves as inferior to those teams though.
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I can think of a reason, namely our defence

I think Maresca should have subbed Palmer around the 75th minute. He looked really leggy. We could have used some extra energy, and it might have solidified the middle a bit

I meant there’s no excuses for finishing below those teams. Of course there are reasons why we could end up struggling but defence is something we could easily have done something about in the summer.

We literally loaned out Chalobah who proved himself last season to be better than all of Disasi, Bads and (by virtue of being alive) Fofana. Chalobah isn’t world class but when you’re deliberately weakening your own squad, it’s hardly a valid excuse.

comment by Simon West (U1830)
posted 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
Positive for me is we lose that last season

But Enzo needs to be more proactive for sure. Was doing it well at the start of the season....morphing into Pooch V2 atm
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We beat them 3 1 at their place last season

comment by BlueJ2 (U4630)
posted 2 minutes ago
I think Maresca should have subbed Palmer around the 75th minute. He looked really leggy. We could have used some extra energy, and it might have solidified the middle a bit
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Yeah if we’re holding onto a lead then I don’t think Palmer necessarily needs to stay on the pitch. Mata Hazard used to get subbed off sometimes too despite being our focal points in attack.

Times like these I’d much rather have Gallagher in the squad than KDH or Felix. If you’re trying to hold on he can be a great asset.

Yeah, no point polishing these last 4 results. They're bad, full stop. The team isn't in the title race but equally I don't think we're playing to our full potential atm (considering the opposition). That's on Maresca to sort out

comment by BlueJ2 (U4630)
posted 8 minutes ago
I think Maresca should have subbed Palmer around the 75th minute. He looked really leggy. We could have used some extra energy, and it might have solidified the middle a bit
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Felix being the obvious choice

I think the real test will be in February tho. If we’re stroll struggling by then I’ll be very concerned. I always write off the peak winter months as a tradition.

Another thing to note is at Leicester Maresca was flying first half of the season, then crap second half.

i missed where we got relegated, judging by tone on here...

Can't see this Arsenal team keeping up with Liverpool.

Title is done. Liverpool too good.

Liverpool have this sewn up. They're the most balanced team tactically & most capable mentally by some distance this season.

Next year might be more interesting as Klopp's influence slowly starts to wane out of the player's habits, once they lose that devastating counter threat they become a less uniquely intimidating. They'll still be a great team as Slot clearly knows what he's doing, but a proper transition of styles will begin.

comment by NPE - Maresca's Minions (U22712)
posted 30 minutes ago
i missed where we got relegated, judging by tone on here...
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Gonna get relegated from CL qualifying to Europa League places if things don’t pick up after the usual winter slump.

We’re still favourites for 4th, but it’s not a lock.

comment by Devil (U6522)
posted 17 minutes ago
Liverpool have this sewn up. They're the most balanced team tactically & most capable mentally by some distance this season.

Next year might be more interesting as Klopp's influence slowly starts to wane out of the player's habits, once they lose that devastating counter threat they become a less uniquely intimidating. They'll still be a great team as Slot clearly knows what he's doing, but a proper transition of styles will begin.
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I always wonder about this. Like in terms of how much a new manager benefits from habits built up by the old one, and if that fades whether or not they’re able to cope. Initially they might do better using a combo of the new manager’s good ideas and keeping the good bits from the old regime.

For example Martinez at Everton initially built on what Moyes had before things eventually went pear shaped. Some people were saying similar about Lampard benefitting from Sarri to an extent.

Grant didn’t come up with any revolutionary tactics and players largely coached themselves based on what Mourinho taught them.

Obviously Moyes didn’t get any of that Fergie legacy benefit at Utd

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted 38 minutes ago
comment by NPE - Maresca's Minions (U22712)
posted 30 minutes ago
i missed where we got relegated, judging by tone on here...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gonna get relegated from CL qualifying to Europa League places if things don’t pick up after the usual winter slump.

We’re still favourites for 4th, but it’s not a lock.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We do have Reece James back for about 3 weeks....

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted 1 hour, 30 minutes ago

comment by Devil (U6522)
posted 17 minutes ago
Liverpool have this sewn up. They're the most balanced team tactically & most capable mentally by some distance this season.

Next year might be more interesting as Klopp's influence slowly starts to wane out of the player's habits, once they lose that devastating counter threat they become a less uniquely intimidating. They'll still be a great team as Slot clearly knows what he's doing, but a proper transition of styles will begin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I always wonder about this. Like in terms of how much a new manager benefits from habits built up by the old one, and if that fades whether or not they’re able to cope. Initially they might do better using a combo of the new manager’s good ideas and keeping the good bits from the old regime.

For example Martinez at Everton initially built on what Moyes had before things eventually went pear shaped. Some people were saying similar about Lampard benefitting from Sarri to an extent.

Grant didn’t come up with any revolutionary tactics and players largely coached themselves based on what Mourinho taught them.

Obviously Moyes didn’t get any of that Fergie legacy benefit at Utd
----------------------------------------------------------
It's a case by case basis. I'm calling this now cos of what I've seen from Liverpool this season. They're not Klopp's Liverpool anymore - they press completely differently (less man/ball focussed) and the midfield is the hub now rather than a engine to apply counter pressure & spit the ball out.

But they've retained Klopp's tempo & the ability to stick the ball in with 3-4 passes on turnovers when they're matched up 2v2 or 3v3. Slot's a control manager so I'm assuming (might be wrong) he's not comfortable playing like that, thus not training it extensively, but is allowing it cos Pool are so damn good at it.

Just seen that penalty given agst Arsenal. Wow just wow at our match officials

So just two points from our last four games is dissapointing especially given who those 4 teams are, but from a performance perspective what has actually changed from now and the games we were winning?

Defensively, I don't see a difference!

We have been conceding goals all season long with clean sheets as rare as rocking horse sh t. Likewise, our ability to control games seems about the same to me.

It's the goals scored that have dried up with 2 goals from 4 games.

Are we creating less or just missing the chances we were taking earlier in the season, or both?

I will add that I do think on the few occasisons that Lavia has playede this season we look our best.

comment by SWTN - Judas is number 1 (U7916)
posted 11 minutes ago
So just two points from our last four games is dissapointing especially given who those 4 teams are, but from a performance perspective what has actually changed from now and the games we were winning?

Defensively, I don't see a difference!

We have been conceding goals all season long with clean sheets as rare as rocking horse sh t. Likewise, our ability to control games seems about the same to me.

It's the goals scored that have dried up with 2 goals from 4 games.

Are we creating less or just missing the chances we were taking earlier in the season, or both?
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In a nutshell Biggish, and how many times have we said that the game should have been sewn up at half time !

CPL updated

https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/465663