3-5-2 with Pelle and Mane up front. Thought a week and a half off would have done Pelle the world of good...
I've said for a few weeks on here now that I would like to see three speed demons play up top. They could cause havoc if Ron gets them rotating and switching. We should do it. Several people keep saying we haven't got an alternative to Pelle. We have, just not big ones. We play three rotating speed demons, we have to stop knocking it high and long. High and long is too easy to defend for most premier league defenders.
I have been pelle's most outspoken backer in previous weeks, but I agree that he was awful yesterday. Hes trying too hard. In fairness, all of our crossing has been abysmal recently, but he's not even holding the ball up anymore. I don't think it stuck to him more than once yesterday.
Pelle lost his mojo weeks ago and its been unfair to keep playing him. He's got no ideas all he is doing is controlling long balls and quick passes. No idea at all where the goal is. SaintRitchie said it exactly right. We cant score any less so what have we got to lose apart from more and more games to nil? we've got lots of attacking options. Between Tadic, Durijicicicic, Elia and Mane and Long there has to be a decent combo.
If we don't change we will lose or draw nil nil every week. Pelle is not going to suddenly start making fast turns off the long ball and banging them in a brace at a time. Every side in the Premier league could stop us scoring at the moment. His confidence is shot if you ask me. From sky high to rock bottom. He needs an extended break on the bench to get hungry and angry IMO.
We certainly are playing with a few damp squibs at the moment that's for sure. We did not have the rub of the green yesterday nobody can deny. In my view we had the better of the chances but just were not clinical.
You just can't blame him though. Recently we have played too many balls high into him. It's not pretty and even worse, it's not effective.
I agree with others, think there's only one way to go now - 3-5-2 - Pelle & Mane up top. It's worked for us before and I just don't see us scoring at the moment, we could of played for 900 minutes n not scored yesterday.
I'd stick with Pellè. As the old adage goes, "form is temporary, class is permanent". The big man is simply lacking slightly in confidence and I'd love to see him given another chance against a slightly weaker defence.
The problem as usual is that when players are playing well we label them as world class, and when their form dips they are rubbish. Pelle is neither world class or rubbish. I still think he is a decent player but he needs to try and retain possession a little more and stop with the little flicks. His pass in the first minute against Liverpool was simply brilliant so we know he is capable.
I understand your sentiment, but slightly weaker defense in the Premier league? Liverpool aren't exactly impregnable. My concern is how often we play the high ball to him and he doesn't win them. Not his fault if we are lumping a lot of balls up there, but if he wasn't there then the other players will have to think a little differently. Liverpool played with Sterling as a CF - it can be done.
mmm yes, it came off. I just want to see him keeping his back to goal and letting the ball hit his big frame and then lay it off to a midfielder, especially around the half way line. That excellent pass only got through because Markovic slipped and missed it. It was straight at him and to be really critical, the moment he spun and looked for the pass I actually thought he should have laid it out to Clyne who was free. But hey, it got through, so I was wrong and he made the right decision. For me he has been trying to do that 80% of the time the ball comes to him. If I was his manager I would be asking him to spend a few games doing it simple. He holds it up, lays it back and then spins into the box. That way he 'll get his chances.
