And our system requires the fullbacks to be very far forward, and early; yet again Targett had no support, and both he and Cedric were often nowhere in the picture when Sunderland took the ball away (through no fault of their own; they were where the formation demands they be). So right now, we have a setup where we're vulnerable through the middle, vulnerable down the flanks, struggle to create width in attack, and are easily choked out through the centre. Something has to give; we're pretty fortunate to even have two points right now, because Sunderland could have put this to bed had Kone gotten his totally free header on target (to repeat: for god's sake Cedric, throwing a hand up while staring at the back of your man IS NOT A GOOD DEFENSIVE APPROACH) and Fonte's swing in the box gotten Defoe. Better teams will.
It's quite worrying really. The players look like they have never played together. The amount of times in the second half when long etc were making runs off the last defender, and the likes of Davis, Romeu just checked back and passed side wards. Also Solent said they think that Jay Rod has asked to go out on loan, whilst Puel just deflected the question on the matter. Personal opinion is that if he persists with the diamond, we will be in a relegation fight as VVD said in his interview, but if Puel changes formation to a more player suited, I think we'll be fine. I'm not saying he's a bad manager, but this is the premier league, not a very average French league.
Also, before anyone cites our shot totals: we're taking an astonishing 11.7 shots per match from outside the box. No one else is even close. We're closer to the bottom of the league in shots from within the box, currently 14th. Taking such a high percentage of shots from long range isn't a positive; it's a symptom of how little cutting edge we have in the final third. "Nothing's on; might as well have a crack" isn't going to get us far.
How can you have 11.7 shots ... surely it's either 11 or 12? Last season it was criticisms about not shooting from distance enough. Does it really matter, as long as we're trying to score?
Probably not the right time to list a few positives then? There were a fair few I thought, but perhap I'll come back tomorrow when the weeping and wailing has died down a bit. Jay scored though. That has to be good, right?
Because that's how averages work? Of course it matters. Players who aren't good shooting from distance taking a lot of shots from distance will produce few goals. There's a middle ground between 'take no long shots' and 'TAKE ALL THE LONG SHOTS'.
If there is one thing I can say in Puel's defence, I do think the formation would work a little better with Bertrand in it. Not that Targett did anything wrong today at all - it was one of his best game in a Saints shirt. But he doesn't have that attacking thrust and penetration that Bertrand has. And like Schad says, in this system it is so important that the FBs get involved at the business end of the field (but hoping also the ball isn't lost, because it offers so little cover for them).
Didn't realise how averages work, I know how rounding up works though. (12) It doesn't matter, a shot is a shot, no matter where it's from. It's a chance at goal.
The aim is to create quality chances, though. We could shoot every time we get within 40 yards and put up absolutely stunning shooting stats. We'd also be relegated by March.
Assuming that the mythical diamond formation is being played well can anyone explain what it is supposed to achieve because I genuinely don't understand it. No width, minimum protection for the defence and minimum support for the attack. There must be strengths but I haven't figured them out yet.
I totally agree with this assessment but I don't think Puel will get as much time as he hopes to perfect his tactical knowledge. I agree that most of the players must be wondering who Puel is . I am sorry to say this but I don't think it will improve under Puel. He seems intransigent and his poor decision making with trying to farm out Jay-Rod does make you suggest a lack of judgement. It will be interesting if the new Moroccan we are being linked with has Puel associations as is the case with Pied. Unless we change, I think this season will prove a massive struggle even though I am convinced that he will be shown the door quicker than some on this board might imagine. Curious to see how patient Nicola might have been !! I am all for giving someone a chance yet Puel's appointment seems like a mistake by the current board. Seems off that Pellegrino was passed over in favour of Puel - this decision now looks like a catastrophic mistake. Wish we had appointed the ex-City manager. He would have had a point to prove and would have been of the right calibre for a team with ambition. Puel seemed to fit the bill and there may have been the Adkin-esque attraction of giving an unknown manager with success at a higher. I know we are only a few games in, yet everything about the Frenchman gives me concerns.
Austin is learning how to track back and try and help his FB out? Redmond is learning how to pick the ball up in the centre circle and try and dictate play? Obviously things which both players are in need of working on...
Ok, would you rather us take 3 long distance shots, as an example, or would you rather we had 3 failed attacks because we lost the ball passing, or got tackled? I know which I'd prefer. That seemed to be the case today. Jesus Christ
Just seen Jay Rods interview. Said that he just wants to play football, and that he needs to be on the pitch. Just a tad of a hint there. I can just get a hint of a players V manager happening here, I hope not but listening to interviews from the likes of Long, VVD, Jay Rod etc, there is defiantly a bit of rebellion there. This could be a big year of transition where Puel will take until next season to implicate his methods to players who can take on board?
I'm not being pedantic (i am actually), but in 3 games to get 11.7/game we need to multiply it by 3 to get total shots on goal 3 matches. 11.7 x 3 = 35.1. Not sure how we get the 0.1 in there. now if the stats were 11.667 in 3, then that would be 35 shots in 3 then that would make sense. Too much rounding up i think
Missing Mane and that individual brilliance. Not enough players being brave with the ball in the final third until we went a goal down. Hopefully Boufal can provide that
No worse than this point last year ... which led us to a record placed 6th finish. Have some patience.
