Shak

perhaps if we have a player like thauvin on the wing playing with confidence it'd open up more opportunities for wijnaldum through the middle? there are no absolutes but i'd strongly argue that giving thauvin 10 minutes here or there is going to achieve the sum total of fuck all for his development Whether we like it or not it seems like McClaren is set on having two CM's who by and large hold their position in the middle of the park. I'm very hesitant to move Wijnaldum out of the spot he's done so well in and into a deeper role, as much as I want to see Tiote and Anita's "partnership" broken up. I'm not convinced that's his chosen style personally, rather an acknowledgment that his CM options are Anita, Tiote and Colback and they're not capable of anything else. Either way it seems pretty clear he doesn't see Wijnaldum as a CM, he started Gouffran in CM rather than move Wij there. Not defending his decision by the way, think he's settled on a very ugly formation and setup these last few games.

perhaps if we have a player like thauvin on the wing playing with confidence it'd open up more opportunities for wijnaldum through the middle? there are no absolutes but i'd strongly argue that giving thauvin 10 minutes here or there is going to achieve the sum total of fuck all for his development Whether we like it or not it seems like McClaren is set on having two CM's who by and large hold their position in the middle of the park. I'm very hesitant to move Wijnaldum out of the spot he's done so well in and into a deeper role, as much as I want to see Tiote and Anita's "partnership" broken up.

Not a LB, as has been said. Particularly problematic for us when he plays there as Wijnaldum on the left means we really need a LB who can provide some real threat going forward. We basically have no prospect at all of attacking down the left as this guy is such a donkey. Getting a new LB is hugely important if we're gonna persist with Wij on the left. As a CB he has some promise, should be playing there or nowhere though.

Made the goal.

Harsh.

Sissoko poor there, chance to break that he squandered and put us under pressure.

You're watching a different game aren't you? Shocking keeping Was a pretty decent finish. Yeah, lovely little fake and then hit it quickly which is tough for the keeper. Keeper will be disappointed he didn't keep it out, but very nice from Perez.

Aye, shite poster IMO.

It's to allow Janmaat to push forward and operate as a winger with Sissoko inside. GOAL!!

We're so completely shite in possession today.

Insane how much we need better CM's. A real left back who can get forward too, if we're gonna persist with this formation.

Anita's such a weakling.

What a shite cross from Dummett.

Would like to see Haidara get a game at LB in this system. With Sissoko and Wijnaldum playing so narrow it's absolutely imperative that our full backs can get forward and provide us with width. Given that McClaren seems absolutely married to the idea of 2 sitters in CM, there's no reason our fullbacks shouldn't be bombing forward at every opportunity. Dummett is a better defender but he's no threat at all to carry the ball forward down the left side while Haidara is. Same team otherwise, I suppose. God I wish we had some better CM's.

If he can't get on for 20 minutes at the end in a game like this where we were absolutely crying out for some width and spark in the final third... Doesn't look good for the guy like.

Yeah, was looking like a good chance to counter attack too until he got the ball and turned back towards his own goal.

Should probably have won but just like last week (1st half) it was lots of good passing without looking overly threatening. It's all much too narrow, if we're gonna play with two tucked in wide men we have to push the fullbacks much further up to provide some width. Wasting Mitrovic by not getting any service into the box.

C'mon Sweden, http://ih1.redbubble.net/image.90426958.4211/sticker,375x360.u2.png

It's kind of a pointless thing for Shearer to say like. Obviously everyone would prefer us to win matches, it's not like we're losing on purpose so we can fire up the keyboard and fill up some inboxes.

Would be interested in seeing this. I know De Jong as thought of more as a #10 but if he could play CM that would be huge for us. Alongside a pure ball winner ala Tiote it might have a chance to work (Tiote being absolutely awful somewhat hinders this, but we don't have much else). Sissoko and Wijnaldum aren't exactly wingers so those two tucking in to help provide more support should make us more solid. If they don't think SDJ can play there then it'll be Anita and Tiote no doubt. Let's just hope it's Anita who's given the freedom to get forward of the two. Would also like to see the front six go... Anita Sissoko Wijnaldum Perez Thauvin Mitrovic With Perez and Thauvin swapping flanks. Though I am hesitant to change a system that's been working well for us, especially moving Sissoko and Wijnaldum central.

So frustrating that we extended Colo, hope to fuck they can move him on next summer but nobody will want to pay that wage.

Be interested in seeing him alongside Tiote or Anita with De Jong given license to get forward. Would be inclined to stick with the same front four tbh.

I don't think we should have hired him in the first place but sacking him at this stage would be quite frankly ludicrous unless we had someone undoubtedly better lined up, which obviously we won't.

Hope we'll see Dummett and Mbemba at CB together, think they might compliment each other well. Tell Colo to fuck off home to San Lorenzo so he can suck off Aragorn.

This ref.