Sure, in theory. I seriously doubt any defender in the Championship or otherwise, though, is going to think “hey, I can let that plaw-whatever guy run anywhere he likes round here and I will just ignore him, because he can’t finish for ****”. Even taking into account their relative finishing qualities, that’s just not how it works in the real world is it.
Farke rolled the dice by starting Dimi the last two games before he's had a chance to work with the team. Daniel probably thought if they came up 7 we would have a strong team to race into the auto's from the pole position. (mixed metaphors) It was a big ask, though, and it would have have been better, I think, to continue with Jacob; bringing in Dimi as a sub when when possible.
That's a good point Rob, and it would also allow McLean to support Giannoulis defensively. McLean and Skipp have played well together as well, so I'd go with that. I also think that 3 games in 7 days is a big ask for Vrančić. As for pace, I think it does make playing a high line more difficult, as you say. It isn't just about Placheta's finishing, though, as he could break through and pass to Pukki or Cantwell to score.
It's not what individual defenders think; it's what the opposition's coach/manager and analysts think when assessing how best to set up against us, where the greatest risks lie, and how to minimise those risks. Your "real world" is actually a fan's world, not a coach/manager's world. And I haven't said anything that implies letting Placheta run where he likes and not doing anything about it. I'm simply questioning your original assertion that teams will think twice about holding a high line with Placheta as the front man. The primary focus would remain on negating Pukki irrespective of where Placheta plays.
It’s getting seriously tight at the top of the league since we could only manage two draws in recent games. I think many of us are nervous about this game which we haven’t been for some time.
What about bringing in Sorensen alongside Skipp and pushing McLean into CAM. Without the ball McLean can drop in to help the two behind him, Sorensen is adept at covering Gianoulis giving the latter license to maraude forward.
Sorry Robbie, that’s plain rude and I completely disagree, but we both know there’s no point taking it any further.
No rudeness intended Rob. That fans and coaches think differently about things is well known and widely acknowledged -- and often illustrated on here. But if it appeared rude, I apologise.
Fine, but the oddity of that comment is that you are far more often telling us that Farke has it wrong, whereas I find myself agreeing with much of what he has to say. But anyway, the idea that a Championship coach, let alone all of them as you imply, would tell his defenders to ignore an opposition players pace because they can’t finish I honestly find laughable. They might say “focus on Cantwell, he’s the bigger threat” or something like that, but they will undoubtedly be worried about Placheta’s pace. Anything can happen once a player is behind the defence. I know you think Farke is hopeless, but the proof of my comment is that Farke thinks so too - he has played Placheta at striker deliberately.
You'll be hard pressed to find much if any criticism of DF by me this season. His Championship credentials are fine. Such criticisms as I have made relate chiefly to how we will likely fare next season if we get promoted, given what we're seeing this season. We were told "lessons have learned" last season; I don't see much sign of the major lessons having been learned at all. What I see is a continued dependence on things we can get away with in the Championship, but can't get away with in the EPL.
I am going with a Swansea win in the hope of jinxing them In all honesty, I don't see us getting anything out of this so even a draw would be a major bonus. Hopefully, I will be awake to at least be able to listen to it if I can't get a stream
4.15 am for me. My sleep patterns have been totally messed up with all these strange, and different, ko times.
My sympathies, GE - I have the same sacrifice to watch American football games - my other passion. I'm wasted the next day
Sorensen for Giannoulis and McLean for Vrançic. Seems to make sense to me, but I don't win Football Manager.
