With the obvious preface of preseason meaning sweet FA today was interesting. I'm somewhat concerned that a change of personnel has not resulted in a change of play. We're still doing the ridiculous 15 passes across the back 4 before one pass forward to be passed back again. It gives so much time for the opposition to organise themselves defensively. The only person I saw even attempting runs behind defenders was AA, yet no one saw him and/or decided to pass to him. If the aim of the game was to pass horizontally across the field we'd be champions league winners. With the exception of JWP it seemed like we're playing without a midfield again with only KWP and Djenepo arsing themselves to get forward. I'm hoping and praying this is Ralph's last attempt at getting this to work and he ditches it completely otherwise we're in for a horrendous season
Of course, you've ignored the fact that Villareal sat deep a lot of the time and therefore the ball over the top wasn't on.
That Aribo goal was everything I thought before we signed him, quick but slow looking, sloppy and all over the place but still somehow in control and I love it.
So does anyone have a clear idea of what formation is best for us to take on Spurs at the weekend and who will be picked to play I am confused by the apparent scatter gun approach to pre season by Ralph
He clearly has talent as we saw for the first half of last season. I think alongside someone that can lead the back line he would do really well, which makes the signing of ABK a bit weird imo (unless we plan on bringing another CB).
Scatter gun how? Surely pre season and with new players inherently needs everyone involved at some point? And he is apparently defaulting to 532
I think the question of who leads the back line is an interesting one and the lack of a clear answer could be a weakness Lyanco? Not a starter Bedders? Experienced but not a leader Salisu? Lacks experience, subject to flights of fancy
You realise that Ralph's new coaching set up is based around the posts on this forum? We need to up our game, as if we can't agree on our best formation, what chance does Ralph have?
Sadly I think the answer is quite obvious and has been that way since VVD & Fonte left. Vesty did okay but only actually played well in one season so it is hard to lead when you're undermined by your performances. Players like VVD are complete one offs but what I'd give for a reliable and experienced CB like Fonte now... that would make so much difference.
Last summer in pre-season Salisu scored an absolute shocker of an own goal against Swansea, but then went on to have a fantastic 3 or 4 months once the season kicked off. I feel he needs a rocket up the arse at times. In that game against Man City, he was clearly pumped, most likely because of who the opposition were. If he had that motivation every week, he'd be first on the team sheet without a doubt. As it is, he seems a bit too casual at times, and this causes him to arrive at challenges a fraction too late, etc. Where the proverbial rocket is going to come from, who knows, but I doubt either Bazunu or ABK are the answer, due to them both being young and new into the team. Anyway, every single player deserves to start the new season with a clean slate.
Agreed. Last season the 3/5 at the back was a huge risk but it’s largely worked in the friendlies I’ve seen. But as I’ve said before, it’s only a starting position and we can see the formation morphing as they try to exploit try opposition.
Plus he was a leader, i've been banging on about signing one every transfer window for the last 4 seasons now.
Seeing as Ralph has used 3 CBs for much of the pre-season, I am happy to see him use it against Spurs. Time and again, in previous years, Spurs have hit us with a quick counter, releasing Son or Kane with a run on goal with defenders nowhere. Hopefully with 3 CBs that becomes less likely.
There were promising signs in the second half against Monaco with the intelligent and composed quick passing and movement around their penalty box, that was completely different to the end of last season's slow paced and methodical attacking play. If we perform like that regularly then there will be few complaints from me and the goals will surely come.
