I don't believe he did get it wrong. I didn't see the game just the highlights. So my comments are subject to that caveat. Have also read the reports and other internet sites none of which seemed as much in need of the Samaritans as this site did. Do get a feeling of OTT comments being made especially whilst the match is being played. My impression was we generally played okay and competed but the extra class that Man City have throughout their team especially up front was the big difference. I don't like losing but it takes me less time to get over a defeat where we tried but lost (as in this game) in contrast to our simply giving up before the game even starts. We are 15 months in to a long term plan. My team now tries. That's all I ever asked for.
I don't think Botman and Burn will get any more by one sitting on the others shoulders if I'm being honest.
This is the thing, height diesn't matter if they don't use it. Neither of them really attack the ball with enough purpose. It was evident when Lascelles was back in the team against Man City. As much as he gets a lot of stick for his defending, he does know how to attack the ball from a set piece and he almost created a goal against City. Botman & Burn need to do a lot more of that. Not just stand waiting for it to land on their head.
The biggest lads weve ever had and neither can head a ball. Burn in particular is bafflingly bad at it.
Being too loyal to players and our awful set pieces are my main concerns with Howe. Of course he is doing a good job overall, but everyone has areas to improve. I can't shake the feeling that he cocked up our chance of the league cup by playing the now hopeless Wilson over Isak, no good bringing him on when the game is lost.
Yeah 100%, Trippiers deliveries aren't the problem, its the movement and that is down to the coaching, surely we can organise a set piece where there's a bit of movement and creativity from the players waiting for the ball in. Englands love train from the world cup for example not hard to coach and would take 15 mins of a session to get them going - Isak and Joelinton on the edge of the box with BDB & BSB and making runs, Schar going near post for a flick on, Bruno waiting for the knockdowns or standing on the keeper etc. It's simple stuff but it seems to have been neglected.
I know you aren't allowed to use an opposition player to push to jump off but is there a rule suggesting Burn can't have Botman on his shoulders? That would be worth the entry fee alone!
I would have said our tactics were very different after the substitutions. We were much more attacking in midfield and were playing without a target man.
What will suit us now that teams have worked us out and let us have the ball is this change. It's subtle, but when you play our 4-3-3 with Wilson (or Wood), the CF stays high and creates almost a circle from midfield around to wide players, so there's this massive gap in the middle. What a player like Isak does is play with much more intelligence to drop into the '10', but what needs to happen is the wide players need to work it out, come narrow and offer a threat through the middle, which they haven't been. Players we were linked with, like Thuram and Diaby, do this really well. ASM and Almiron play a little too erratically. Gordon, I think, was seen as an answer, but it'll take a little time to get the three in sync.
I agree. We may concede more goals but I prefer a Willock - Isak combination to Longstaff - Wilson, just because we look more likely to score.
Longstaff covers ground, but the amount of time he sort of dives towards a player or the ball and misjudges it is staggering; Willock is just a lot smarter, reads the game better, so it's not just about physicality it's about football intelligence. I also think Longstaff needs a rest, because every time he's getting near goal he has a brainfart. We need to get goals, Willock/Isak have more confidence so it could help the wider team.
Took till today to realise hadn’t changed the car details on the Tyne tunnel app and hit hit with 2 £60 fines
Shamelessly quoting myself but nothing has changed, that last paragraph is exactly what is still happening, we never win the first header, we don't even attack the ball when it comes in. On the flip side, Spurs seemed to be winning loads of headers from their attacking corners. We aren't learning or changing anything.
