Match Day Thread Burnley v Saints Saturday 10th August 3pm

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ChilcoSaint said:
And once again, JWP is NOT a defensive midfielder. Ralph was forced to play him there today because of Højbjerg’s illness.
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And because we didn't sign anyone in that position. To expect PEH to be available for all 38 games was always unlikely. I doubt this will be the last time we're forced into playing JWP there.

(Unless, as I alluded to above, there's is something of a huge U-turn where Lemina is concerned.)
 
st_brendy said:
CBs aren't goo enough. JWP can't play as part of a central two. I still have my doubts over Ings.

But like I say, I just don't see this being our regular starting XI. And I had no expectations of a top half finish any way. So 11th or 14th hardly matters.
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As soon as I saw the line up, just knew eventually we’d lose this match. I’m sorry but the obvious frailties have not been corrected or strengthened, it’s the same squad basically as we’ve had for the last 3+ years, and surprise surprise, the results will be horribly familiar. I get the point about Pierre, but honestly we’re going to need much more than that, and again hope 3 teams are even worse than us. Ralph must be secretly wondering about his future if he stays with a below par outfit supported by a below par Board.
 
Schad said:
Having three CBs mostly seems to give them an additional person to blame after leaving their man unmarked.
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It also gives over additional space in the channels since the full-backs have to push so high to provide the width in lieu of wingers.

We basically just kept inviting Burnley to sling high diagonal balls into the box. Not our best move.
 
ChilcoSaint said:
And once again, JWP is NOT a defensive midfielder. Ralph was forced to play him there today because of Højbjerg’s illness.
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Potentially underlines the folly of releasing Reed again. Calm heads needed all around though - real shame that we couldn’t bank anything today but I guess with the tough fixtures at least we won’t waste too many good opportunities whilst we work out how to fit in the new recruits and for them to find their feet. Was pretty surprised by his picks today though. I don’t think many on here would have picked Stephens and that is concerning. Ralph will get it sorted though. Let’s give it a real go against the bin dippers next week!
 
Schad said:
Not convinced by starting two up top. Weakens our midfield, and we really didn't have much by way of supply to the strikers. Understand that it's useful for initiating the press, but it's hard to press Burnley given that they have no qualms about booting long.
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You could say that Ings was operating a bit as an attacking mid today, allowing the others to drop deeper. The problem is, that JWP was one of those three, and he’s no Hojbjerg. And it made the lone striker Adams, who was never a threat.
 
Assuming that the three new guys are actually good enough (I'm in absolutely no position to judge at this stage) then a side of Gunn - Valery Danso Bednarek Bertrand - JWP Romeu PEH - Djenepo Adams Redmond would appear to be more than good enough to finish somewhere towards the top of the bottom half. It would also leave us with a fairly decent bench. Of course, it does require them all to be fit and available, which naturally will not often be the case.

Unfortunately today, within our 18 man squad we had four, maybe five, players who - either by starting or being selected on the bench - were too far up that pecking order.
 
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st_brendy said:
And because we didn't sign anyone in that position. To expect PEH to be available for all 38 games was always unlikely. I doubt this will be the last time we're forced into playing JWP there.

(Unless, as I alluded to above, there's is something of a huge U-turn where Lemina is concerned.)
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I’ll be surprised if Lemina will do any u-turning. Not surprised about losing as the squad is simply not good enough, but it’s the size of the defeat again. It’s going to be a very long season yet again!
 
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Absolute horseshit once again. Ralph has had months to sort out the defence and we're still ****e. I'm genuinely not understanding the hype with him.
 
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