I get why Ralph is keen on the 3 CBs (because we don't have 2 that are good enough) but it leaves us so passive going forwards - which isn't great in a side that struggled to score even without the extra defender. I don't think it helps us press either as you have an extra man back and the 2 full backs are too wide for an effective press. Hoping we sell Bednarek and sign a competent CB that Ralph trusts to play with Salisu as part of a back 4.
I thought the three centre backs is because of the full back situation. Perraud isn’t fit and we can’t play a flat back 4 with Djenepo as left back
Do you think that’s really why he plays 3CB’s? It would seem odd after being here all this time that he is still not playing his preferred formation due to inappropriate players!
This is a very good analysis, you just don't have enough players to play the press with 3 CBs. I would worry if we sold Bedders and ABK and Salisu were the starting 2 CBs, we need someone on the pitch to marshall the backline.
Personally I think it gives us more options upfield - most of our attacking play has come through wing backs
I cant remember the exact quote but Ralph said it was essentially because it helps us keep it tight at the back and limit opportunities to the opposition.
Oh yeah I’m not saying it’s his fault he has no service as all of our attacking mids aren’t great, and with the extra defender it just magnifies how bad creatively we are going forward. Must be quite demoralising for a striker to know that the main way of getting a chance is if you knick the ball off a defender rather than someone creating a chance for you
I'd have thought he could have tried Valery at RB and KWP LB if that were the case. He has said its because it helps us limit chances the opposition create so that makes me think it is tactical.
I take it you don’t remember Valery at right back then? A horror show. There is a reason he doesn’t play there anymore
Have Saints swopped Mousa for his far more talented twin brother Nousa? Lol He's a completely different player!
Not sure what people are seeing different from Djenepo? Looks similar to me, willing to take on his man, decent defensively, very little end product I have always rated him higher than most on here though judging by comments over the years I’ve read
