I think that’s probably what happens if changes are made, but it could be argued that we would have been better balanced with a Sadiki and Le Fee pairing with Diarra running ahead. But there’s no way that Xhaka doesn’t play every minute that he’s fit and not suspended for. Could be argued that if the plan was always for Xhaka then we should have aimed for different players alongside him - perhaps encompassing all three of the (hugely talented) younger midfielders we’ve added.
Mind, I’m satisfied already. We’ve added lots of talent. The cliff edge if we go down has undoubtedly got higher, but it at least adds assets that we can utilise. I hope the club learn from this experience and that we see a more ordered plan emerge in coming weeks months - and windows.
Carvalho was part of Brentford's second side last night and he walks into our RW atm Shows the quality in depth the so called lesser teams of the prem have be a really tough game at the weekend Going to really need the crowd again I think
The carvalho of Fulham yes. The one that’s played for Liverpool and Brentford? *removed comment comparing him to Talbi with Saturday on the horizon
All truth. Are we seeing Diarra as untouchable just as he’s record fee. He looks the part Diarra, but he was poor v Burnley and we haven’t seen any real creativity from him yet. Like you say, could be that any 2 from them 3 could vary depending on oppo, but Reg tends not to do that currently. It goes back to remembering we are a new team and still smoothing out kinks, but there is that nagging worry about Régis being relatively stubborn on team selections. Granit-Enzo-Sadiki has a bit of everything.
Speaking of brentford (I don't know if there's a Brentford thread yet and I wouldnt assume there was) was curious to see them play a back 5 yesterday, think that suits their personnel much better and credit to Keith Andrews for that tinkering. That shape and sitting deep will certainly cause us some issues.
Aye. And they have that pace on the break with Outtara, Schade and Carvalho as well. It’s certainly hitting home a bit the strength of the league. I hate to say we maybe underestimated it, but we maybe underestimated it.
Dare I even suggest Enzo - Sadiki - Diarra .... Some games will need legs everywhere in midfield. Even a box midfield 4 with all of them and a front 2 could be a viable option when we want to let teams play outside us and compact the middle. We certainly have options and I would like to think we haven't seen all of Regis ideas 2 games into the season. Like you say maybe give them time to gel first.
I have always rated Brentford squad tbf, think you'll be able to find my comment that pre transfer window that their entire starting XI would have started for us - of course both squads have changed since. 17th will always be a big achievement but I feel there won't be much difference between 18th and 15th so it's all open.
There’s definitely a school of thought where the 3 without Granit could work. That won’t happen though and I think we can all accept that. I think Talbi and Adingra are gonna thrive if we get balls behind for them, and we simply haven’t done that. Ot needs more tinkering, but I do believe the majority of pieces are there; we just haven’t found the optimum fit yet. I’m really positive about the back line. That’s a great start and a great postiton. I think Nordi and Alderete is actually way better than we expected, we’ve slightly underrated them two signings based on what we’ve seen. Nordi has a bit more pace than Omar as well so they might work really well and I look forward to seeing that Saturday. No concerns over Rei and Masuaku, none over Trai. Roefs is clearly super solid. Great to be ‘there’ at the back with Lucumi potentially added.
No he wasn't that good, certainly in the second half. But, who was? Against a deep defence we need people taking defenders on. Those who are meant to do that didn't.
Definitely was worth a mention that even without them as players, they very clearly have a positive winning mentality that we need to see. Id like to see mukiele at right back tbh with a more natural CB to come in but think he did fine considering it isn't really his position
I didn’t have us top 10 like but before a ball was kicked I thought ‘definitely good enough for 17th’. Now more like I think we on the line of 17th. Still maintain that it’s a few tweaks and a bit of fortune now to rise a bit further. ‘we’ doesn’t have to be ‘we all’, serene lad. Absolutely can see why plenty still have us going down.