I'm not sure this midfield diamond suits our midfield players much. I think most of them would be the most comfortable playing in the base of the diamond (Romeu, Reed, Clasie, Hojbjerg) and only one can play there. It seem to the that a double pivot like in a 4-2-3-1 formation would be more suitable, where ideally Romeu and Hojbjerg would be the central midfield pairing, and Davis in front of them.
I'm getting the same impression. I've been worrying about space behind the full backs yet in every game we have been opened up by a pass between the CBs, for a player running on to it. We've been lucky that eveytime, so far, the shooting has been poor.
I see Mane was subbed at half-time AGAIN in a Liverpool friendly .......... not making much of an impression, is he? Unlike Lewandowski for Man U ......
Not sure you can read much into that during pre-season. Of all the players that have left us, my money would be on Mane to shine the most. He is class.
Agreed. And the more we try to mock his performances for Liverpool, the more likely he is to score a hat-trick at St. Mary's.
Hope their fitness levels are ready for the new season! I remember now why I wanted Portugal knocked out as early as possible
I've always wondered how much unfit can a footballer who trains and plays 350 days a year possibly get in two weeks of vacation.
I'm no expert but I guess if you train every single day and work on your fitness, 2 weeks is quite a long time to take off as your fitness levels will naturally drop considering how high the levels have to be to play in the PL. Also that can be recovered, the real question is match fitness which is more to do with the intensity/speed of PL matches.
Just noticed that Espanyol are playing Everton on Saturday. Come on, lads....we have to do better than the humbugs.