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Le Tissier's Laces

Le Tissier's Laces

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
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Hi everyone -

I've resurrected my lockdown-begun sports blog site, Sportato, and have decided to crack on writing just Saints based content, in a pathetically obvious attempt to sit in Glen De La Cour's seat on the Saints Podcast when he goes on holiday.

I've dipped my toe back in the water with a piece on how confusing Ralph is - it's not the best thing I've ever written, and nor is it the funniest, but it's just a little soft re-entry!

Please do go give it a read, a follow and a share on your socials for Saints fans (and others). There'll be lots more to come.

https://www.sportato.net/post/the-curious-case-of-ralph-hasenhuttl
 
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Thanks for posting, really well written and some good laughs.

Very reminiscent of league one minus ten as you say.. But that’s not a bad thing at all.
 
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Le Tissier's Laces said:
Thanks guys. Not quite in my stride yet, but secretly quite proud of the porridge line...
Click to expand...

Before I click on it, I noticed the line “a little soft re-entry” in your first post and “porridge” in your second.
If the link doesn’t take me to a porn site I’m going to be really miffed.
 
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Very good read. And agree with most of it. Putting my pedantry cap on, the Villa team news came in at 19:00, not 14:00. :)
 
Le Tissier's Laces said:
Hello Sportato fans -

I've popped up another post, where I've been pretty brutal about our captain and previously untouchable, JWP.

It's here -

https://www.sportato.net/post/we-need-to-talk-about-prowsey
Click to expand...

Prowse is so negative as a DM. As you say just sideways and backwards. There were times on Saturday where he basically looked like a third CB. Even Romeu used to play more balls forward through the middle. As soon as Lavia came in he was doing it, which shows you that's how they teach them up in the City academy.

When Ralph - during preseason - came out and said that he wanted to play Romeu further forward, in the 10 slot, I was just waiting for the punchline. But he was serious. Prowsie needs maybe just a second on the ball anywhere within 25 yards of goal, and he's a weapon. F*ck me we should be building the attack around this principle. But how many long shots has he attempted this season? Not enough.

But at this point I'm blaming everything on Ralph. Bring another manager in and we could see a whole different Prowsie.
 
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Che’s Godlike Thighs said:
Prowse is so negative as a DM. As you say just sideways and backwards. There were times on Saturday where he basically looked like a third CB. Even Romeu used to play more balls forward through the middle. As soon as Lavia came in he was doing it, which shows you that's how they teach them up in the City academy.

When Ralph - during preseason - came out and said that he wanted to play Romeu further forward, in the 10 slot, I was just waiting for the punchline. But he was serious. Prowsie needs maybe just a second on the ball anywhere within 25 yards of goal, and he's a weapon. F*ck me we should be building the attack around this principle. But how many long shots has he attempted this season? Not enough.

But at this point I'm blaming everything on Ralph. Bring another manager in and we could see a whole different Prowsie.
Click to expand...

We may well. I mean, is he playing to instruction? Who knows. There was an England game he did actually play in, where he was far more progressive, but I do think his instincts (possibly drilled into him now) are safety first. There have been a lot of occasions over the past couple of seasons, where even I've seen a relatively easy pass, or there's a run been made, and he's turned around and rolled it carefully backwards. He needs to orchestrate things, and he just doesn't (enough).

That does also explain why one of the big boys hasn't come in for him though.
 
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He definitely can’t play DM for this team or RH. He looks totally lost & ineffectual. His last 3 games have been abysmal. Tbh I agree with TSP but regardless one of our best players is churning out 4/10 performances. That’s someone’s fault? JWP? RH?
 
I doubt it's instruction, as we've seen the same JWP throughout his career. At his best, he does enough things well to be a significant net positive, but it's absolutely a limiting factor and always will be. He's neither a midfield rock that can be that screen for the defense, nor is he that quick link between defense and attack, nor is he someone who will make frequent runs into the box.

I remain convinced that his best position isn't central midfield at all. It's as a wide midfielder of the type that basically became extinct in the late 90s/early aughts when teams remembered that attacking was useful, and wide players were moved further up the pitch. He's a great crosser of the ball and would provide good defensive support. But his lack of aggression, pace and interest in dribbling would really hold him back playing in a modern wide role (as it did when Poch used him there at times).
 
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Schad said:
I doubt it's instruction, as we've seen the same JWP throughout his career. At his best, he does enough things well to be a significant net positive, but it's absolutely a limiting factor and always will be. He's neither a midfield rock that can be that screen for the defense, nor is he that quick link between defense and attack, nor is he someone who will make frequent runs into the box.

I remain convinced that his best position isn't central midfield at all. It's as a wide midfielder of the type that basically became extinct in the late 90s/early aughts when teams remembered that attacking was useful, and wide players were moved further up the pitch. He's a great crosser of the ball and would provide good defensive support. But his lack of aggression, pace and interest in dribbling would really hold him back playing in a modern wide role (as it did when Poch used him there at times).
Click to expand...

Beckham then, essentially?
 
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