Is it gonna be O'Shea, Catts, Larsson and Defoe that pull us out of the mire? Add in Borini the big game player, is it gonna be same again. Never thought i'd have to ask that, with the exception of Defoe the others have been part of the problem in past seasons, but also part of the recoveries. Will their experience prevail once again, when they all finally return?
Yeah I think so, you could see oshea telling the defenders what to do and where to be on Saturday, he gets loads of stick but he knows how to organize a defence I think one or two more games with him at the back will settle our defense right up..
No doubt, if we get out of it again, it'll be them that drags us out of it. Can't fault any of them for grit and determination but the fact that every year we have to rely on them every year speaks volumes about why we're always struggling, in my opinion.
we really need sheezy now, maybe more-so than last season. language barrier has been a problem in defence so far (i think, according to PVA) and with no talkers in a team it quickly goes to ****. Pickford needs to talk more, centre halves need to rally their full backs and stay in touch with each other, centre mid needs to keep in touch with everyone. think this is why we looked a different team last year with oshea and/or catts in the side than without either of them.
not sure how vocal larsson and defoe are but their experience will of course count for something, slowing play down, playing the sensible ball etc. i think inexperience has cost us more than anything so far this year: a youthful defence who lose positioning too easily, heads dropping after going behind, panicked clearances, long balls to wee JD. none of it helps our predicament. hope moyes sees this too and does something about it.
Does pickford need to command his penalty area more ?, should he go out further for corners and punch the ball away. We improved a lot from the Palace game against WBA. A top striker or 2 is needed in January without a doubt, but who.
Well that depends on the situation. I've seen Pickford bemoaned for not coming out when he had 3 attackers blocking his path. People seem to think as a Keeper he has a constant clear path to meet the ball. Not the case.