This. I firmly believe that two new good CM would solve all areas to a degree. We would have more control in the game. That means proportionally more attacking phases and less defensive ones. I’ve said for a very long time that yes our defenders are bad but they are under a constant barrage because they don’t get a break. Even the best defenders make mistakes if they are out under constant pressure.
Our cms don't protect the back 4 and they don't supply the attack. How much more information is required?
None. That’s it. The solution is literally staring us in the face. Get two CM in and kick Shelvey out. Get a CB and kick out Lascelles. Everything gets better.
There's some players in the championship that would improve this side quite easily. We need to build a side that can win the championship
The pair of them. The thing I'm worried about is the fact Howe had come out saying he wants to build a team around jonjo and that the only player he rested vs Cambridge was lacelles. Does that indicate he's going to replace them?
Think people are having short memory syndrome. In the 9 PL games we have played Brentford - draw Arsenal - loss Norwich - draw Burnley - win Leicester - loss Liverpool - loss Man City - loss Man Utd - draw Watford - draw Which of the losses did anyone expect a draw or win? Yes some of the draws we’d hoped for a win eg Norwich and Watford. Not exactly a run of games to get us out of this situation, is it? Three more points (we weren’t expecting a point against Man Utd) would obviously be better and out of the bottom three but not exactly out of this situation. Like all managers (even Bruce) I will give Howe some time. I won’t call for his head or go OTT on criticising him after less than 3 months in a job which given the foundations in place, or lack of, was always going to be difficult. Those that do really want to take a look in the mirror.
My response comes in peace. I’m not trying to be awkward or funny so take this for what it is. If you take the Leicester Liverpool Man U and Man City run of games this season and compare the exact same fixture and venues last season then Howe did significantly worse. I know it’s not as simple as comparing but I ask you to do so.
You don’t get players in the order of need. You identify what you need and get them in whatever order you can. You don’t wait until you get a CM before getting a CB if you also need a CB. You need, at least, to wait until the end of the transfer window before criticising.
Yes but those games were 18 months in to Bruce's tenure. Howe got those games a week in to his. He didn't even have a pre season to prepare
I know mate. I’m just saying the same players but different managers have got remarkably different results. I stand corrected if at the end of the season we have won more games and we have improved. I am not for the record saying avoiding relegation is a marker either. I just want some improvements both on and off the pitch.
Yes but you literally cannot compare. For example, Arsenal had just appointed Arteta and they were playing ****e. Arteta now has them playing really well.