Everything I've seen from Pellegrino at Saints and a handful of Alaves games says to me he is a defence first manager. I think he goes into games with his main aim to not concede, hence Davis as a 3rd midfielder. I also think it is no coincidence that we suddenly look far more threatening when we go a goal behind, as the plan before conceding was to keep it tight and not be too adventurous. We then have to score as otherwise we lose and come out of this gameplan (obviously helped by some other factors aswell). There is nothing wrong with this style in my view, but it doesn't usually lead to really entertaining games.
He wasn't at Estudiantes. At Alaves he was operating on a tiny budget compared to the rest of the La Liga with a newly promoted team. So yeah, he obviously set his team out to be hard to beat. If he was a defence first manager, then why would we replace Puel with him? Puel's problem was negative/dull football...
I made this point the other day, I have no idea what we saw in Pellegrino based on his record in Spain that made us think "sweet, back to attacking football". I think something else must have been the main factor to Puel going. I think it must've been that he was doing very well on a limited budget, much like we have done in the last few seasons, style didn't come into it when hiring him. I have said before aswell that I think with the squad we have a defence first manager is the best way to get results, **** style and entertainment this is first and foremost a results business, if you can get results and play brilliant to watch football then great, but for the hierarchy results have to be the priority.
The squad is only that way due to poor planning and recruitment. I don't mind grinding out results, but we don't look capable of that. Pellegrino has started to show signs that he is wanting to go more attacking. He went with 2 strikers last week, subbed Davis off for Boufal the week before and we ended up scoring and looking threatening. I guess the team selection this weekend will be an indicator as to what sort of manager Pellegrino is, or wants to be here.
Yeah I agree about the poor recruitment (of attacking players) in recent windows. We shall see how he lines up, if I were in charge I would be playing a back 5 with Lemina and Romeu holding in front of them as this is where the talent in the squad lies. Boufal, Gabbi and Long up front to hopefully nick a goal and try and 0-0/1-0 our way to January where we can maybe add another attacking option or 2 and change up the way we play.
Davis set up the equaliser and we conceded more when he was off the pitch. You can say we look more dangerous but We've factually done worse this season with him off the pitch than on it . Not that 1.5 games is much of a sample.
The equaliser? You mean he passed the ball to Long, who was going out of play with the ball before their defender stupidly caught him? It's funny how much people have to reach to justify Davis being in the team, as if he's the only player capable of playing 10 yard passes, usually sideways. Again, tell me about all the times we've played awful football and lost with Davis on the pitch?
Almost certainly less than we've played well given our record while he's been here. Its funny how much you have to reach to justify davis being poor. (Also long kicked the ball out as a reaction to the tackle coming in, watch it again)
Distinct lack of young home produced players in the side of late. JWP isn`t a regular starter. Stephens seems to be 4th choice CB now. I can`t see where Hesketh, McQueen, Sims etc (when fit) are going to get a look in.
Like I said before, when you take a player out of a team that usually plays every week - then of course there is going to be an element of dysfunction. I don't have to reach at all, just watch our toothless performance and realise our advanced midfielder is unable to take players on, pick a dangerous pass, or offer any clever movement to make space. He's a safe player. We don't need that with Romeu & Lemina. Long got a touch to the ball purely to get their first, if no tackle came in the ball still would have gone out as he was anticipating contact.
I agree with you that he's not needed with those two which is why he's not in my team on page 1, my point is that rather than see the light, Pellegrino may have seen that we don't control the game as well and get worse results with Davis off the field. Also Long glanced over and saw the tackle coming in which is why he quickly stuck his leg out and kicked it too far. It was good play by Long.
I'd like to see crosses from the wing banned in this game. What's the point when we only have 1 maybe 2 little strikers turning up late versus 6 big defenders? No idea what percentage of goals are scored from crosses? Nowhere as high as scoring from rebounds or penalties. So I'd like to see only cutting in from the wing and shooting, giving Shane and Gabbi a chance to wander into the box and snaffle up the rebounds. We can still cross the ball into the penalty area at free kicks because our CBs are already there. Boufal should play because he is at least trying to run past defenders and produce a few mistakes from them. What percentage of goals are scored because of defensive mistakes? Maybe my tactics are being influenced by FF and VVD who seem to create all the oppositions goals? Drop VVD, he still gets to the ball first then subtly passes it to the opposition or heads it out for a corner. We have a few able replacements. Yes FF is too tall, it takes him far too long to get his legs untangled after the initial save to make the second.
I didn't see your post to be fair. I can't see Pellegrino changing it back after one game. When Davis did come on, it was for Romeu - I'm happy with that as he's not the advanced midfielder in that situation. Their defender could have very easily avoided contact though, he was coming over but 9 times out of 10 a defender won't go in for those, in such a safe area in the box. Especially with Long who would have needed at least 3 further touches to do anything remotely dangerous in that position.
Davis didn't score against Newcastle, but he did do a 89th minute goal line clearance. Lets not deal in absolutes all the time.
Not gonna come from me. I've been a mild Boufal hater, but he deserves a start. He's been afflicted with Gaston disease to a certain extent. Both those guys give more effort than some supporters think. Problem is, it's poor effort as they do not play to their strengths. They would track way back to help the team, but neither one is great at tackling or defensive positioning. Then when they get the ball, it's too far back for them to be effective. Too many defenders in front, no one to pass to, they just dribble into walls. Then they get frustrated and tired and that's when people notice lack of effort or stupid plays. Boufal has showed better discipline of late, and our attack is clearly not working. Plus it's just good to rotate anyway. He should be starting a few games even if he isn't viewed as part of the regular XI. I'm still a bit pessimistic he will alter anything that much. But he deserves a look, and who knows? Maybe something clicks. We need to experiment a bit, because what we are doing now is not good enough.
Is this code for "Fat's curse that he thinks he's got bags of talent and will be the next big thing" * * any rumours I said that when Gaston first arrived are false** ** or true
