I think Liams tactics / metrics would work if were allowed 14 players on the pitch. The usual lot, 2 forwards (rotating of the 3 we've got Ohio and Connolly and then Sharp at 70 minutes) Yet another midfielder, probably the one we've not played this week (so using metrics identify that the one we're missing this week) eg Traore, Omar or Morton. A fifth defender who's only job is to mark the player the other 4 or 3 have ignored who's coming in wide and will score... (& possibly have Allsop as 'fly goalie' and Pandor as the 'stick' (in goal) goalkeeper...
Stoke are a great example of sacking, backing sacking, backing til the money runs out. Richest owner in the championship, recent parachute club and haven't finished in the top half since they got relegated. All that money gone. And now they're having to budget the same as everyone else they're in a relegation scrap.
Stoke haven’t done much wrong in terms of appointments though. Culturally they’re just all wrong, and recruitment is shocking.
Recruitment has been done by the managers they've appointed, then sacked. Not a DOF, not recruiting to a model and coates has backed them all. Turnover of managers and players has been ridiculously wasteful. There's just been no stability. That's the cultural issue.
Based on my thoughts. Technical ability gets you so far but without some players who will do the job anyway they can so long as the job gets done, I don't think you can get out of this league. Just my thoughts
We are clearly capable of pressing teams into mistakes, yet we struggle to do it against anyone who isn’t at the top end of the table.
We’re also 24th for tackle win % with 46.4%. West Brom also don’t make a lot of tackles or interceptions. However, their tackle win % is 52.7% which is 9th.
It feels a lot like one of Baldricks cunning plans. The last thing the enemy would expect is for us to try not to score.
Other amusing stats. We’re 1st for touches in our own third of the pitch with 10116 touches. Blackburn, who are 2nd for touches in their own third, have 9419. We’re 12th for touches in the opponent’s third. So in summary, we don’t make many tackles or interceptions and when we do make tackles, we have the worst record for winning them in the league. We have the most touches in our own third in the entire league, but mid-table for touches in the opponent’s third.