Given what we have available right now, does it not make sense to go with what seems comfortable with them, 2 defensive minded full backs, get Mcloughlin next to Greaves and hope that understanding they have allows them to regain a bit of confidence, Baxter back in goal, Jones and Slater in front of the back 4 so they aren't fkn around with passing it back and forth between themselves then losing possession, then we could have Seri sat in front of the DM 's, Tufan playing just behind Oscar in a free role and Pelkas alongside Oscar. If the likes of Simons has show enough in training get him in to one of the defensive midfield roles. We have more then enough to play better then we have been, but he is choosing to play 5 across the back and totally fkn up our defence and attacking abilities.
So zero width. Like I'm not laughing at you, that team sounds logical and round pegs in round holes.. but it's utterly mad.
I think it'd still be better than what we're seeing currently to be honest... I'm up for just about anything that gets the third CB out of that position.
I honestly don't see what's wrong with the 433/451 that grant persevered when we didn't have the players to play it. Wide forwards drop back and stifle the midfield when out of posession and stop the fullbacks being exposed 2 vs 1.
I think there is an obsession with passing stats. Players like to see 90% accurate passes at the end of the day the passes are either sideways or back. Same old stuff with the defenders. Side to side. If teams are winning against us their strikers are happy to drop off and not press. Hence all this sideways passing.
I tell a lie, he has actually played a grand total of 50 minutes at left back across his 160 senior appearances at club and international level. Definitely more of a wing back.
I agree there is still plenty available and I believe we will improve on this recent run, but I think that's a separate question. In the post you quoted I was talking about criticism of the recruitment, which I think is unfair.
Our league 1 defenders pass or try to pass to our top end championship/low end premier league couple of midfielders who then pass to our league 1 wingbacks who fail to provide passes/crosses for our 'just put it in the mix' striker. Squad is well out of kilter, in my opinion, with Seri and Tufan having to do too much and not able to make instinctive, quick passes to someone. This changed when Pelkas came on as he was looking to be found and directing his overlapping wingback. Changed when Seri and Tufan went off though. Yes we have players to come back, but that excuse only washes for so long. Got it off my chest anyway.
The goals keep shipping in yet McLoughlin isn't being called upon, even for fifteen minutes, never mind a game. I find it baffling, even if it is simply to mix things up a bit at the back and see what the outcome is - will it change the dynamic in any way, will it steady the ship in any way? Who knows, but just looking at a leaking ship and not trying to use every option at hand is strange. It might all remain the same, it might get worse but it might also get better. If the team sheet comes out again with him sat in the subs once more and his services again overlooked when we are two down, I really believe that Shota mustn't rate him at all.
What’s unfair? Shota and Acun have made mistakes this summer with their recruitment. Steven Toast has already said we made contact with Ndayishimiye but moved on after disagreements over wages, so it’s obvious we were in for a physical presence in midfield who could also cover at centre-half. What does Shota do next? Signs another short-arse who is the exact opposite of a physical, ball-winning midfielder and then panics on deadline day and gets a green boy on loan from Chelsea’s academy. There have been mistakes in recruitment this summer. It’s undeniable.
What I think is unfair really is the two things I mentioned: criticism of what we're left with in midfield when we still have new midfield signings we haven't seen play and the midfield look pretty good anyway, and criticism of the options we're left with on the wings, given that the players we've signed as wingers have been lost to injury.
Our midfield has looked anything but good. We have a couple of good individuals playing in there, who have occasionally strung a couple of passes together but in terms of completeness, we're a million miles away. Time and time again, teams cut through our midfield like butter.
I don't expect us to be able to integrate so many new players immediately without hiccup, but what is concerning is there seems to be less organisation and cohesion now than in the opening games. Obviously having to chop and change won't have helped that. Cant imagine Acun will tolerate the rate we're conceding at for long. Still don't think we should be puttind a date on whether shota may or may not be sacked as football changes quickly with a bit of confidence and success, but I can't imagine that he won't be under significant pressure before long if things don't improve.
The thing I don't get is, he was happy to play Covil at the drop of a hat, but the Chelsea lads who sound like exactly what we're missing in 2 areas can't even make the bench with so many injured players out... Don't tell me... They're injured...
