Match Day Thread Stoke City v Southampton, Wed 14 December, KO 8:00pm

But who is directing the play?

 

They are ****. Look at when Jay came on, he was getting in the positions but could do nothing. When Long was on he was never in the box. You add that to not having a attacking minded centre mid, then it will look kind of bad.

 

Would help if a midfielder or 2 also made runs into the box.

 

I think that's true but we could also do with a midfielder to get forward and score goals. A Nolan or Lampard type.

 

I just watched the highlights for our game after watching the full game online and then instantly watched the Liverpool highlights after. My god how we miss Mane or Lallanas quick feet and passing. Liverpools second goal was worlds apart from any football we've played this season, Mane with a ridiculously quick 1-2... come to think of if, have we done a 1-2 all season

Also the two chances jay rod missed against boro and stoke are nothing short of awful

 

I pointed that out as well. We have 6 defensive minded centre mids. So they won't push forward that much.

 

William Shakespeare.

Not sure if it's a comedy or a tragedy though.

 

Yes, Jay is out of form and should have two goals in the last two games, but Why is Long not in the box is that down to him or isvhe following directions.
I really think Jay just needs a goal to bounce off his are, but as you say he is getting in positions.

 

I said that

 

Both I think

 

Olomola might make the bench Sunday. Perhaps.

 

It's both. You can't have 5 CM players in your squad that don't have an ounce of creative flair between them and contribute nothing going forward. At present that is exactly what we have. Romeu, Clasie, Davis, JWP and Höjbjerg are all either defensive or good at recycling possession. All good players, don't get me wrong, but we need to get rid of 1 or 2 of them and bring in a more attack minded central midfielder in addition to a striker or 2.

 

Long has never been that type of player ever. He is more a 2nd striker, he plays out wide or just behind a main striker. I think Jay has had it sadly.

 

You missed my other post.

We are still creating chances we just have no striker who stays in the pen area (and who can score). We would get even more chances if we signed a actual attacking centre mid. But a striker or two is our biggest need.

 

I so really hope you are wrong about Jay, I probably cut him too much slack, but it was so sad seeing his world cup dreams ended that afternoon, I really hope we persist and give him a few games, as you day we have no other strikers. I remember he was pretty hopeless when he first arrived, but hevturned that around.
As for Long perhaps the coach needs to coach him to get in the box!

 

If he does, there's potential for one of the best football chants ever.
Olo mola
Olo mola
OLAMOLA

 

Not ready for me. But could have him on the bench.

 

One the bench....to apply more pressure on Jay. I struggling with the weight on his shoulders now!

 

The biggest problem with the team atm is the tempo at which they attack teams, there is no element of suprise, no playing between the lines and breaking the formation of the oppo's defensive structure and far too many crosses are not finding the mark. A lot of this may be down to the fact that we have rarely seen the same starting XI for consecutive matches and I don't think that even Claude knows his best team yet. I'm a big believer in continuity and i'm hoping that we settle into a consistant team and formation sooner rather than later with a proven goalscorer being added in January.

 

No point pining for players that the club had zero chance of keeping because of their ambition and got a good deal for the both of them.