We are not purposely negative, just not creating good enough chances.

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We are definitely purposely cautious though Edbo, which is negative in my eyes.

We are not Man City. We cannot compete in important areas with Man City.

They pay best player wages in the world. They can buy who ever is mercenary enough to go to them for wages.

They can wait a season or two and build a team.

We play well, develop good players from modest buys and then lose them to Champions League clubs paying higher wages.

We rarely get a season or two to develop a team, defence or otherwise, before our best players are poached.

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Exactly Sizzle, we are getting results despite some poor to watch performances.

I personally think we should maybe lineup with:

Sandro Dembele
Lennon Holtby Eriksen
Soldado

One week just to mix it up and see how we cope with more creative players than athletes in the team.

we're gonna mash you up

Do you have any fit CB's atm andrew?

And is Tiote out?

Yeah we do. And i don't think so.

for the insight.

away at everton is a very tough game, against one of the best managers in the league (as harry would say).

our defence looked about as good as i've seen it tbh. we actually didnt look flukey, we looked proper solid.

Very solid U1059. I cant really think of any real Everton chances.

Sandro Dembele
Lennon Holtby Eriksen
Soldado
-----------

How is this different from what we are already doing? 2 holding players means slow build up, which equates lot more frustration

I'd like to see something more like this
--------------------Sandro-------------------

-----------Holtby-------------Eriksen------------

Towsend/AL---------------------------------Siggy (for the goal threat)

-------------------Soldado/JD--------------------------

I think that is just too attacking minded for me Ginger.

Its not the midfield slow build up play which is the issue IMO. Its more the fact that when we play with wingers they need quick build up play. However Chelsea has slow build up play, but rely on playmakers high up to quicken the play up in the final third. Their Oscar/Mata can be our Eriksen/Holtby/Lamela.

I am hoping that AVB is viewing the season in the following way.....

first 10-15 games - Accumulate points. Remain solid and organised as the team and new players find their feet and some form. Utilise the squad to integrate everyone, resting & rotating where possible.

Next 10-15 games - build on a solid base, be a bit more expansive. Utilise the large squad to maintain form and minimise fatigue, maybe at the expense of other squads with less depth.

Run-in - Adopt whatever approach is necessary, whether it is the more circumspect accumulation of points or a more expansive attacking approach.

All about managing players and the squad over a season. No team plays its balls off all season long, it needs to be paced and accumulation of points early on is important, you cant win the league by December but you can be out of it by then!...our better form will come just as Arsenal's bad patch will.

Ginger....I think AVB is changing our perceptions.

IMO we don't have a best XI. A number of players are pretty much untouchable but the CM and wide areas are far more interchangeable depending on the opposition/situation/occassion.

Solid away = Sandro/Paulinho/Holtby, Siggy wide left

Attacking at home = Dembele/Paulinho/Eriksen, Lennon wide left.

we can mix and match with 5 of the 6 CM and attacking positions.

Read this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24794729

Robby Savage

Edin

A midfield of 5 including a proper DM is too attacking ... Jaysis.

I guess Devonshire is right... AVB is changing our perceptions

God forbid we attempt a 442... not that we currently have the players to pull it off...