We have played the same in two games. We have heard the same things said by management after 2 games. That would appear to be a pattern. Glad we all think we should strengthen. Well, nearly all of us, not sure Puel & Reed agree.
Under Poch & Koeman we were an organised, hard working side, who had the ability to pull off some big wins and wholly dominant performances. Under Puel (with the current squad) we will probably be a well organised, hard working side, who might have the ability to throw away points and sometimes get dicked. But, I hope I'm wrong and I would also add, that if Puel had the players that the former two managers had, he'd probably be much the same result & performance wise.
I guess we did create some chances although it never really felt like that. I don't remember an actual save being made. Long's first half effort was probably the best chance, I think he should have tried to cut in front of the defender meaning than any tackle could have resulted in a penalty. It was all just a bit flat and one-paced really. That always seems to be the problem with a possession-based game. You can be happily passing the ball sideways and backwards with the full-backs pushed up and the opposition well organised and suddenly you lose the ball and are susceptible to a quick counter attack. It seemed to me that both fullbacks were getting beaten rather too easily and didn't offer much going forward (and they were essentially the only ones giving us any width). Long has done nothing in two games now but I don't know whether its him not firing yet or whether he is just not getting the passes he likes. I suspect the latter. If you're attacking slowly everything compresses and the space for him to run into disappears. If we're going to play in this way then I think we are at least a good goalscorer short.
I couldn't understand why he didn't control with his left, cut across trailing defender & it's a pen or gets shooting chance on his right?
Having stayed up till stupid o'clock this morning watching it (cheers work), there's not a lot I can say without it alrady being said. Thought Hojberg and VVD were outstanding, Davis and Cedric were poor. Thought we played really well overall, just need to taking our chances. Disapointed in Clasie making that sort of challenge but hey.
We did okay last night - we played some neat and tidy football and worked the ball well the back two thirds of the pitch. We lacked a killer edge in the final third to open them up with a good final ball or to nail the small number of half-chances that we did get but that was not unexpected given our lack of options up front.
There lies madness...why didn't Muhammad step back in Taekwondo, why didn't our relay runner watch where he put his feet, why didn't I close my car windows.
Generally agree - I was encouraged by the first time passing in the midfield, which was at times very quick and precise. This will change the angle of passes and produce opportunities against teams less well drilled defensively than a Moanrinho side. As one of the Utd fans on here pointed out on here earlier, there were one or two opportunities to slip passes through which we missed - that awareness will come with time. Far too early to be writing off players and managers - De Gea, Bailly (?), Pogba, Zlatan - probably the best spine in the premier league.
I just don't get: - Tadic as a #10 - Redmond not on the wing It just doesn't make sense to me. Their strengths are beating people and crossing. We are just crying out for some decent crosses into a striker. We look so impotent playing in this formation. I will give it time before judging to harshly, but at the moment it doesn't suit our players at all.
Christ, just been on SaintsWeb ... meltdown level 5 over there. Some highlights: - Who will go first, the diamond or Puel? - We need a new owner and board. - We're Les Reed's fantasy football team. - Claude is an arrogant prick. - Claude will be our first sacking shortly. I suppose it's quite positive when they also mention we have 8 (!!!) decent players. Thought itd be lower than that.
I don't know why people keep going on about Puel being sacked...now Nicola has gone, we are not a 'night of the long knives' type club. I would have to lie down if I even thought how badly we would have to do to sack Puel this season.
They really are a bunch of loonies over there. All that's been said on here is Clasie was stupid (which he was) and urging Puel to change formation. Nothing over the top.
We haven't played the same in two games, not really. We've used a similar formation twice, which isn't the same thing. And when something happens twice, that isn't a pattern. My train to work was on time yesterday and today. Trust me, that is not a pattern any regular traveller would recognise.
If you mean FLT, he flounced off last night. Only teasing Fats. Come back and bring your positivity with you.
And that is what we have not yet got - with FF, VVD and in PH we have the makings of decent bottom half and middle of the spine - the bit at the top is missing and not sure we have that in our current team roster, but given time we hopefully will find or develop such a player(s).
Pretty much the same comment that gets labelled against Saints every time they have lost or drawn for some 40 years now! There is no such thing as an easy game. Add to that Moyes has something to prove, it's going to be a very tough game. Not that obvious at all. Anyone would think we had recruited Claude from a Sunday league team. I think it is fair to say that a fair amount of discussion has taken place before adopting the diamond. As many have said before, far too much emphasis is placed on formation whereas in reality, as Koeman often said, it is only reflective of where the game starts. The shape changes very quickly. As for the comments on Pelle - this is the same Pelle that everyone asked to be dropped last season in favour of Long?
