Talking as if there are only two options -- carry on exactly as we have been doing OR resort to simply parking the bus -- strikes me as somewhat disingenuous. As also does pretending that Chelsea didn't teach us some hard lessons (more so than Liverpool because, whereas Liverpool simply played their usual game, Chelsea paid us the compliment of deliberately setting out to stop us playing our game). As I pointed out on the match thread, when they took their foot off the pedal of this disruptive strategy (as they did each time after taking the lead in the first half), we were able to cut through them and score. It's all very well saying that we are not going to abandon our possession-based, attack-orientated style, but Chelsea showed everyone how to neuter the current version of it. IMO we are going to have adjust how we actually implement the style when facing better quality, savvy and equally fit and energetic players working to a tactical plan designed to thwart us.
Great post robbie and I'm certain that DF and the team will use the Chelsea game as a 'blueprint' for dealing with teams of their caliber in future. We don't need to radically change our style, but to adapt it when playing the better teams IMO.
Perhaps a return of the Tetty Trybull partnership or Amadou to add a bit of steel . When we get caught out with our full backs way up the field we look very exposed. Leitner looked a bit lightweight Saturday and easily bullied.
It isn't just something we need to address when playing "the better teams" though JMF. Most teams in the EPL have the capacity to adopt similar spoiling tactics if they so choose, and the notionally "weaker" teams are more likely to do so, as opposed to teams like Liverpool and Man City who over-power you with their game irrespective of yours. Klopp described us as "cheeky" precisely because of our "ignore us at your peril" approach. But while the best teams can usually afford to do it, the "weaker" ones can't, so won't.
Massive win for Norwich vs Ipswich...give me The Darkness over Ed anyday https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/ed-sheeran-ipswich-town-against-the-darkness-1-6236214
Ian Wright & Chris Sutton suggesting that Madison should start, not just be called into the England squad.
Saw this earlier - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...d-Leicester-City-plot-James-Maddison-bid.html. Could he follow Maguire???
Robert Snodgrass and Steven Naismith return to the Scotland squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers with Russia and Belgium. They really are desperate
It isn't just the three games this season though Cromer. If you look at their last 10 games of last season, i.e. from 3rd March when they beat Leicester at home 1:0, their only points came from wins against bottom two Huddersfield and Fulham and a draw against relegation-threatened Southampton. The club will have been looking for signs that Gracia has got to grips with the problems that were visible last season, and there don't seem to be any.
Oh god. The Bury take over has fallen through, just like the Bolton one did the other day! Looks like both Clubs are finished!!
This is brutal. You would think that the EPL might be able to have a bail out fund for these scenarios.
