There's also a case to be made to change the formation and simply play more bodies in midfield to start with. I personally don't think we've seen a net improvement since switching to a 2-man pivot. It would be one thing if we had an abundance of world class attacking players to accommodate, but we don't. I think a 433 or 4312 could work, depending on how we wanted to use Maddison. Right now we're starting 4 attacking players every game and it is inevitable that at least 1 of them will contribute almost nothing. Villa was the exception that proved this rule.
While there is very little evidence that any bar a handful of managers make a difference in the long run, I like Ange for four reasons: He seems like a top guy and always takes responsibility. He is playing a very unusual system which must be an advantage as every opponent has to play differently against us compared to what they are used to. He doesn't tinker with it...changing things within games is usually a poor tactic imho It's usually fun to watch. If we stick with him for at least five years and gradually improve the relative squad quality, then I think success will come.
An exception disproves the rule! The phrase you are misquoting comes from an aid to interpreting unclear rule books where there is doubt as to whether a rule exists. In that case the presence of an exception proves that the rule exists. Eg a rule saying that soldiers may return to their quarters after midnight in exceptional circumstances proves that the normal rule is that they must return before midnight.
Abysmal overall performance even eclipsing the Brighton match, in my opinion. The midfield was wonky and Maddison, Bissouma and Sarr all massively underperformed. We know that the former had a knock, but Sarr was really off the pace. Postecoglou should've reacted and changed things earlier and more sensibly. Our shape was poor and we looked weak on every set piece, including throw-ins, bizarrely. Switching centre-half pairings again probably didn't help, to be fair. No excuse and we thoroughly deserved to lose, but I thought Palhinha should've gone. He totally did Maddison. Studs above the ankle. Very good player, but he's absolutely filthy.
Also having a cushy draw ...no, wait, we get those and see our first team lose to Middlesbrough or Sheffield United anyway
Palhinha probably shouldn't have been playing at all as he mysteriously avoided a red card in his previous match!
Ironically he would be this season if Bayern had enough to cover Fulham's asking price last summer But for some reason they were temporarily short on funds...
