What's wrong, and how is it fixed?

I think as fans we need to comtinue to back the team and do Our bit. I heard booing during the game on Saturday which wasn't good imho.

 

No it certainly wasn't good to hear ACS. However I struggle to criticise them too much having had to watch some half hearted displays. Plus a manager who is refusing to learn from his mistakes.

 

Thing is I think there was a change on Saturday. The BBC website had us down for 4-2-3-1 again, but when they lined up the TV had us down as a 4-4-2 midfield diamond; that part I actually thought "Yeah, that makes more sense", where Colback was DM, Wijnaldum CM/AM and Sissoko/Thauvin right and left behind a front two. I could see that working and was a bit happier as kick off approached.

Then the disaster came - when we kicked off, it was more 4-3-3, but a very confused one. Honestly it felt as though 4-4-2 (diamond) was the formation agreed at 14:50, then about five minutes before kick off we said "no, scratch that, try this 4-3-3 instead with at least 4 players out of position". Colback was central and deep, then Thauvin and Perez were right and left respectively of Cisse. Sissoko didn't seem to know where to play. Wijnaldum was then also completely lost.

My personal opinion is start from scratch. Get Saylor in for Colo ASAP (at least he's vocal), get Dummett in for Haidara, make Janmaat the captain and give Mbemba some better defenders around him. Work out a dynamic formation that we can persevere with - getting beat isn't the be all and end all if you're giving it a go, and that's about getting players who can make a path to goal. Go with Anita and Wijnaldum in the middle, and work out from the training who out of Mitrovic, SDJ, Perez, Aarons, Thauvin and Sissoko who should play. Get Cisse and Tiote to Saudi Arabia as fast as humanly possible.

 

I don't think that McClaren knows what he wants from the team, he may have watched the Prem for a while but I think he is way off the pace in terms of understanding it, the fact that this seasons promoted teams are competitive from the start has really put a twist on things. Need to get some backbone in the squad and a lot more work rate on the pitch, this is the point last season where Pardew got a response and won the matches that kept us just above relegation, McClaren has been in place for over 2 months and he should have some idea of who and what works by now, biggest failing though is the Austin transfer nonsense, they went for a couple of million cheaper and ignored the 44 yellows and 5 reds instead of a proven Prem goal scorer, it may be way too late come January transfer window. The shape on the pitch doesn't matter when the players are ****e.

 

Just pick the right players from the start. He just needs to swallow his pride, fire a few rockets and ensure that Sissoko, Cisse, and Colback are nowhere near the starting line up. If Saylor and Dummett were it then yeah drop the way out of nick Colo (possibly permanently) and the woeful inept Haidara. Likelihood is they won't be. Consideration of Colback at left back despite my misgivings about rewarding under performing players a slot elsewhere in the team could be an option. What is wrong with young Lascelles? Is he so bad that he can't replace Colo even when the captain is having a weekly recurring nightmare?

We need to get Anita back in the side, play SDK, Aarons and Perez.

Just go Krul, Janmaat, Haidara or Dummett or Colback, Lascelles or Saylor or Colo, Mbemba, Anita, Gini, SDJ, Aarons, Thauvin, Perez.

I have no faith in any of the options at CB and LB so don't have a strong opinion. The rest should be picking itself. McClaren wants possession football. Good but it must have penetration. SDJ, Aarons and Perez provide that, Sissoko, Cisse do not.

 

I think this whole obsession with possession football is bollocks, Man Utd yesterday played LVG's version of this and were bloody awful in reality, they lacked pace and initiative going forwards, I would far rather we took the pattern from Chelsea who are quite happy to let the other team play possession bollocks and then will hit them quickly and effectively or mix it up more, the other thing that has become more prevalent and is really pissy is the way in which teams seem to want to score from inside the 6 yard box, take shots from outside, make the keepers work and have a go. I really don't know why Aarons has not been given a run out, he could give us so much more than we are seeing at the moment and we desperately need some pace and invention out on the pitch, McClaren needs a response and if that means dropping some lazy buggers then do it, put some of the other lads on as let's be honest the way it's going they could hardly do any worse.

 

Its not even just that for me. What worries me about McClaren is this inability to spot what suits his own style. I find that very confusing. Perhaps SDJ, Perez and Aarons are not high tempo enough in training (which is a big thing for Cathro)? The bottom line is they are the most technically proficient players which is what he needs to make his system work.

I prefer to have a good share of possession. I am not a fan of this tippy tappy 60% which takes you nowhere. 50-55% but being a threat is fine with me. I don't remember us dominating possession under Bobby or KK. We'd just get after teams. As you say have a few pops (something Perez, SDJ and Aarons seem to do), and get a few crosses whizzed across the area on the run. As a defender there is nothing worse than dealing with the ball running back towards your own goal, its a lot easier once you are facing up and set. We also need to get in behind to do that. SDJ has the slide rule passes, Perez and Aarons the pace/direct running to do so.

 

I think all mid-table teams need to be able to hit hard and fast. Possession football is useless outside of about 6 teams around the World. Sure, Bayern can pass, Barca pass you to death, but the teams that do turn up and beat them play fast, aggressive counter attacking football. Players need to constantly drive beyond the man, then track back, a la Atletico Madrid or Borussia. They scare you to death, before you know if you're a goal down then - guess what - you're then MORE exposed to counter-attacking football. It's why West Ham are doing well, and the worst thing is we have the fcking players to do it. Front four almost in a diamond of Perez, Thauvin, Aarons and SDJ, with the onus on SDJ to link up with the front three who all have the pace to scare anyone. Behind them just stick Wijnaldum and Anita. Sissoko shouldn't be starting, neither should Colback - is it the trait of an England manager to pick players based on reputation? If Dummett isn't fit, then as you say maybe stick Colback in at LB, just because he has a brain (although he lacks most other assets). If Saylor is fit, or Lascelles is looking up for it, drop Colo. These players need a rocket - it's a squad game for a reason, and too many of these idiots are happy to pick up a cheque for minimum effort.

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A premiership side with only one international regular says it all really

 

If Sissoko, Colback and Cisse start another game we pretty much know that McClaren is bottling the big decisions.

 

Why do so many people keep saying get Saylor and Dummet in when every one knows they are INJURED with no comeback dates.

 

Desperation having been subjected to Colo and Haidara I suspect.

Realistically we have only two other options - Lascelles and Colback at left back.

I don't mind giving the young lad a go, might aswell find out if he is good enough.

 

Another thought, give me Ivan Toney above Cisse any day of the week. Just fcking sell him. Anytime else think the reason we don't sell is the board actually fear they would have to replace?!

 

I'm not sure that's a problem with strikers for us at the moment.
We have Cisse, Perez, Mitro, Toney, Armstrong, SDJ who can play up top. Get rid of Cisse and we still have plenty. Yes they are all young, but at least they'd put in the effort to kickstart their PL careers.

 

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