comment by Redastomatoes- Feels very Moyesian...cleverson forever!If he is good enough he is ready! (U12026)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 minute ago
Can't see Amrabat being a sub for long with how teams are running right through us. If he is then Erik won't even be in a job come next August.

We have to be more solid and stop giving up so many chances for the opposition to score. We don't score enough goals per game to give up chances so freely. Once upon a time we could be confident of you score 2 we score 3 approach but not any longer. We won't be able to pull it back from 2-0 consistently like we did against Forest. Better teams will finish us off on the break


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ETH has a way of trying to prove our transfers have been mistakes. Mount and Antony are going to play way past their bench date. It's just how it is with him. Do you remember weghorst?
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I happen to think Antony is turning a corner.

Mount I'm not sold on.

And Weghorst wasn't exactly ETHs choice, the club didn't back him. Even now he's having to make choices on positions to prioritise thanks to regimes gone by.

He’ll probably end up being crap anyway.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 8 minutes ago
A lot of categorical conclusions being drawn by our fans based after three games as we bed in a new system, new personnel and haven't even deployed the centre forward that is crucial to the game plan.
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Whilst I agree with you, I am mystified as to why ETH spent a whole season playing 4-2-3-1 only to pivot to a 4-1-4-1/4-3-3 system that appears to not ideally suit any of the midfield three.

In the 4-2-3-1, Bruno was in his best position and Casemiro in his best position. Eriksen was the one who was shoehorned into a deeper role than he'd previously played as his profile (vision/passing/intelligence) most closely matched the 'FDJ' profile ETH clearly wanted, albeit without the added dynamism and ball carrying that FDJ possesses. It would have made a great deal of sense had we then gone out and found an upgrade on Eriksen this summer, keeping the parts that worked in their most natural homes.

I'm curious to see how it pans out - ultimately an aggressive high pressing 4-3-3 leaves very little room for error collectively, and so far we've seen a hell of a lot of error in our play both on and off the ball. Mount being injured now doesn't help the transition to that style and if Amrabat does arrive and we go back to 4-2-3-1 to accommodate, there's a reasonable chance that we suddenly look better again in the 4-2-3-1 and the Mount signing maybe becomes an issue.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 11 minutes ago
A lot of categorical conclusions being drawn by our fans based after three games as we bed in a new system, new personnel and haven't even deployed the centre forward that is crucial to the game plan.
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We will give the new players and not so new ones time (ahem Antony) but these things tend to show themselves pretty soon. I notice they tend to get worse the longer they play too (when opposing teams figure you out)

doesn't even feel like a 433, more a 415

comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 5 minutes ago
He’ll probably end up being crap anyway.
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One of those players you've never heard of, have a great World Cup and then show you why you'd never heard of them in the first place afterwards?

Yay.

That's the spirit chaps....😂

comment by The Post Nearly Man (U1270)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 5 minutes ago
He’ll probably end up being crap anyway.
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One of those players you've never heard of, have a great World Cup and then show you why you'd never heard of them in the first place afterwards?

Yay.
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Sounds about right.

Berbaking

I'd argue we didn't try last season to put anyone in the FDJ role, which is defined by his dribbling ability in tight spaces. Moreover Eriksen popped up quite high up the pitch in certain phases of the game, while not having the legs to cover if our press was beaten. Mount's superior pace and stamina mean he can probably press more effectively at the same time (if we get the balance right) as contributing more than Eriksen when the opposition beats our press. We'll have to wait and see, but I'm cautious of seeing "Eriksen = deep lying / Mount = shunted high up the pitch" as an outright dichotomy.

I'd also tentatively suggest we might find Mount is slightly less vulnerable than Eriksen participating in the build up (being rather better at taking the ball on the turn).

comment by Pun (U21588)
posted 31 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 3 minutes ago
He's a man-mountain of a goalkeeper
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Disappointed this didn't get the credit it deserved
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Crap humour ruining these boards again ffs
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comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 5 minutes ago
Berbaking

I'd argue we didn't try last season to put anyone in the FDJ role, which is defined by his dribbling ability in tight spaces. Moreover Eriksen popped up quite high up the pitch in certain phases of the game, while not having the legs to cover if our press was beaten. Mount's superior pace and stamina mean he can probably press more effectively at the same time (if we get the balance right) as contributing more than Eriksen when the opposition beats our press. We'll have to wait and see, but I'm cautious of seeing "Eriksen = deep lying / Mount = shunted high up the pitch" as an outright dichotomy.

I'd also tentatively suggest we might find Mount is slightly less vulnerable than Eriksen participating in the build up (being rather better at taking the ball on the turn).
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The problem we have is that a FDJ type of player is what we're still lacking. No control in the midfield, poor transaction from defence to midfield/ attack and a general lack of control in the middle with the ball.

Mount doesn't help with any of this. Onana and the defence are still screaming for somebody to come into space and have the ball to feet, yet nobody is willing or able.

It’s really difficult to implement this kind of midfield with two ‘number 8s’ playing high up. It’s why it’s only Pep that’s really been successful with it, as he’s the best coach in the world with numerous players that are brilliant in and out of possession.

Remains to be seen whether Ten Hag is able to effectively drill a team at the top level to play with that midfield shape. But I think it’s pretty safe to say that we just don’t recruit well enough to give ourselves a chance to.

Busby, Dazza

I agree with both your comments. Would it be fair to say that Casemiro is as big a problem as 'the other 8' (whether Mount or Eriksen) here? Having a defensive screener who only adds sizeable value on the ball higher up the pitch creates a bit of a conundrum. Lack of defenders who are comfortable on the ball, especially RB and RCB, doesn't help either.

Reading reports now that Fiorentina have turned down our loan offer!

Also Fiorentina have turned down a £17m offer from Forest for him!

Scrap that! Apparently they agreed the £17m deal but the player turned them down!

comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 3 minutes ago
Reading reports now that Fiorentina have turned down our loan offer!
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Why are Reading doing reports?

I think there are numerous issues in and out of possession that contribute, as well as lack of training time to work on drilling the players. We’ve also only just signed a keeper that isn’t terrified of coming off his line that can also kick a football.

That said, I’m still of the opinion that we’d be better off trying to use two midfielders that can screen the defence and a right back that can actually support the attack. Especially when our two most important attackers - Rashford and Bruno - can be so loose in possession, and the former isn’t very good at pressing or providing cover defensively the other way.

comment by Pun (U21588)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 3 minutes ago
Reading reports now that Fiorentina have turned down our loan offer!
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Why are Reading doing reports?
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Because they're Royal Correspondents

comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 8 minutes ago
Reading reports now that Fiorentina have turned down our loan offer!
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Do all these clubs have Romano on speed dial so they can keep him up to date?

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 19 minutes ago
Berbaking

I'd argue we didn't try last season to put anyone in the FDJ role, which is defined by his dribbling ability in tight spaces. Moreover Eriksen popped up quite high up the pitch in certain phases of the game, while not having the legs to cover if our press was beaten. Mount's superior pace and stamina mean he can probably press more effectively at the same time (if we get the balance right) as contributing more than Eriksen when the opposition beats our press. We'll have to wait and see, but I'm cautious of seeing "Eriksen = deep lying / Mount = shunted high up the pitch" as an outright dichotomy.

I'd also tentatively suggest we might find Mount is slightly less vulnerable than Eriksen participating in the build up (being rather better at taking the ball on the turn).
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I'm not sure I'd agree with how you're defining FDJ/his role. He happens to be nimble-footed and able to get out of trouble with his ball carrying, but his main attribute is that he's someone that gets on the ball constantly and shapes attacks and controls the game with his passing. His added dynamism and ball carrying make him a fairly unique talent in that regard.

ETH spoke last summer about finding a solution from within the squad to perform that role if the right player couldn't be brought in, and having already signed Eriksen, his passing and ability to get on the ball was the next best thing.

Mount might be less vulnerable when pressed in a tight spot, but Mount isn't a player who comes looking for the ball in deeper areas very naturally at all. I think Eriksen had more touches (or passes) in 25 minutes against Spurs that Mount did in 60-70 minutes. They're just different styles of player - one likes to get on the ball and dictate, the other does more of this best work off the ball/later in an attacking phase of play.

For the record I'm actually a big fan of 4-3-3, but normally from the two box to box players, one is more attack minded and the other more defensive/comfortable behind the play (think Henderson/Wijnaldum, Lampard/Essien, Gundogan/KDB). Other than probably Pep playing both KDB & Bernado in those role, I can't thin of any other team that has been quite so aggressive in the attacking sense in that formation. Bernado & KDB are also just better players than Bruno & Mount as is their supporting cast.

I'm not saying it can't work for us - just expressing my initial concerns!

If only Pogba could have stayed fit.

comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 3 minutes ago
If only Pogba could have stayed fit.
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Fitness wasn't the only issue with Pogba tbf. Even when fully fit he'd totally disappear in games or get caught on the ball constantly in bad areas.

He's never been the player his profile would have some believe he is. Doesn't even scratch the surface on the best PL midfielders list for me.

comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 8 minutes ago
If only Pogba could have stayed fit.
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He's one to add to here - https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/457138 - if we don't get him for the cut price fee he's available for this Summer...

comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Pun (U21588)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 3 minutes ago
Reading reports now that Fiorentina have turned down our loan offer!
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Why are Reading doing reports?
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Because they're Royal Correspondents
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