KaKa

1 minute ago, The College Dropout said:

Tonali played LCM yesterday and didn't link with anyone.

 

Neither Joelinton nor Tonali know how to cover for Bruno. Joelinton is still learning the CM role positionally and Sandro doesn't know what to do positionally yet.

 

For now it's Longstaff + Bruno +1 IMO.

 

 

 

Teams are targeting the space behind Trippier when he attacks. When he attacks the RCM is usually in support even if deeper. Trippier mostly sat last night, but Leao & Hernandez broke off him and Murphy to create the Giroud chance. Those 2 combined again for the Leao chance and the one off the line. Here Trippier had pushed forward and Murphy sat but Murphy didn't know what to do defensively and Hernandez played a good ball into Leao. The only true answer to combat that is to have a CB who is great in almost fullback like positions - like a prime VVD or even a Martinez... or a Tomori. That AC Milan left handside is elite mind and Trippier did brilliantly overall. But the reason he's deeper is largely because teams are targeting that space.

Yeah, so it's probably going to take him playing LCM with Gordon for more than 60 mins in one game to build a relationship there.

The other stuff regarding the right side I just don't agree with. Joelinton is well capable of providing more defensive support to Trippier in combination with Almiron.

2 hours ago, The Prophet said:

 

Worried about relegation, worried about the transfer window, worried about variations in form, worried about Bruno leaving, worried about signing Gordon, worried about the transfer window being a missed opportunity, worried about creativity, worried about the defence, worried about qualifying for the Champions League, worried about another transfer window, worried about the midfield, worried about Bruno staying, worried about playing in the Champions League.

 

It's like a parody at this point. Too many folk spend so much time worrying, they're missing an amazing time to support the club. The path to success isn't linear, it's best to enjoy it and roll with the punches

 

Nothing wrong with analysing performances, where we went wrong, where we can improve and the like, but Christ it's done in such a dramatic "the sky is falling in" fashion we've even had other clubs fans commenting on it. We've just come away from the San Siro with a point, after our first Champions League game for 20 years having been no where near our best, yet I feel like we've just walked into a funeral. 

 

The "b" word needs breaking out again.

We have really good people in place at the club that actually want to take it to the top. Enjoy the process.

Like you correctly stated that doesn't mean no analysis or discussion of poor performances like so many will claim. It's just so over the top all the time with no kind of reason.

My goodness.

2 hours ago, McCormick said:

Can’t wait to see him, Willock and Bruno in the same team (with Joelinton playing at left-wing and Gordon on the right). Think that’s our most balanced midfield on paper.

 

 

 

One change I would make for the meantime, in the Joelinton, Tonali and Bruno trio ... is I would have Tonali at LCM and Joelinton at RCM.

I think Tonali would do a better job of mimicking some of what Willock provided in overlapping the left winger that cuts in, and would just better link up with Gordon on that side with Burn staying back.

On the right side I think Joelinton would offer the defensive support to allow Trippier to get further forward like he did last season when Longstaff was there. Almiron and Longstaff's defensive chops on the right freed up Trippier to be a creator.

11 minutes ago, jackyboy said:

We miss having the 2 Joe's bossing the midfield and seem to be struggling to find a balance. As said by someone earlier, we are in the process of integrating Tonali and Gordon into our system. Personally, I would like to see Gordon tuck in a bit rather than being glued to the line so much. 

Last season, with Burn at left back, serving mainly as a defensive stopper, the overlap for the winger cutting in on the left came from Willock playing at LCM.

Missing this element has affected a lot of our most effective build up and attacking play.

On the right side having Longstaff and Miggy's defensive support allowed Trippier far more offensive freedom, which allowed him to be one of the highest chance creators in our open play.

All these partnerships are gone for the mean time, and new ones are being worked on and established.

Reading through match threads, people continue to state that things have changed and they don't understand why, with a heavy element of panic and bed wetting. Seems pretty clear as to why things aren't quite clicking yet to me.

1 minute ago, r0cafella said:

Understood it perfectly fine, the issue was it was your usual ramble against something that wasn’t overwhelming positive as per usual with you. If you believe our attacking performances have been fine fair play

So you didn't understand it then 

1 minute ago, The Prophet said:

These were exactly the same conversations being had after Bournemouth last year.

 

It's fair to say we've looked disjointed as an attacking unit, but there's quite a few mitigating circumstances in terms of injuries, personnel changes and the difficulty of the fixtures.

I really don't know why this is so difficult to understand.

20 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

So from your post, you agree with mine or nah? Can’t be bothered responding to the strawmans

You can just ignore the post then, if you didn't understand it.

4 hours ago, r0cafella said:

I’m yet to see anyone complain about getting a point, most of us are delighted with the point in isolation. 
 

People are expressing concern about a trend of disjointed and below par performances, why the discussion of this is so offensive to some I’m not sure. 

I think it's because it is completely overstated.

We have played some very good teams to start the season.

We are also integrating Gordon and Tonali into two key positions for us last season. The left sided Joelinton and Willock combination was key, as was the right sided Longstaff, Almiron and Trippier trio. These are now no more.

On top of this teams are now going to show us a lot more respect due to what we achieved last season and will be far more prepared and up for facing us.

We are also now missing key players from last year in Joelinton and Willock.

There is no acknowledgement of any of these factors and the impact they have had, or any understanding or patience for the fact that these can only be worked through with the team getting more reps to continue to build back up to where we were, along with getting missing players back as the squad depth is still not the strongest.

Instead now players are not good enough, the manager is not tactical enough, things will have to change or players will leave.

I don't even understand why some of you even bother following the team, as it seems so incredibly unenjoyable. Would be so much easier to just pick a team where everything is already perfect and enjoy following them instead.

Clearly not quite on the same wavelength as Gordon and Tonali yet, because they are new additions to the current first team.

Chemistry has to be developed with those two coming in, and not just for him, but the rest of the team too. It's real life not a video game.

1 hour ago, The Butcher said:

Added a few continental dives to his games. Class.

Probably cost us a goal tonight. Thought it was ridiculous.

17 minutes ago, RobsonsWonderland said:

I will still say we are a year, two years ahead of where we planned to be.

 

The squad, the infrastructure, the European know how is not there yet and this was Howes first ever game in Europe.

 

Not in the Conference or Europa league but in the Champion League playing at the San Siro.

 

This will be a massive learning curve for both the manager and the club and like it or not we are still nowhere near the level we need or want to be.

 

But let's just enjoy the journey and support the lads.

This is ultimately where a lot of fans frustrations are coming from.

The media screamed we were now the richest club in the world and were going to be the next Man City or Chelsea, and start spending big to get to the top and the Saudi's only expect the best ... blah blah blah. The fans ate it up and keep waiting for this to happen because that's what they want most. Ignoring FFP rules and piling up 115 infractions of our own.

But listen to the people in charge of running things day to day and they continue to maintain it will be a rationale slower build that is sustainable that is in line with FFP restrictions. But the fans have convinced themselves it is all a ruse! And so they will continue to stew in frustration.

We have brought in younger players with talent to mould and develop and allow to grow together and a young manager with ability and talent, with lots of room to grow still, which he will, because he constantly looks to do so. However this is not what most fans want and so most signings are rubbished and every sub par performance is 'unacceptable'.

They'd better get used to it though, because this is the project that is in place, so get with the process and what they are building towards or just support some other club that is at the top already and throwing money around and piling up FFP infractions.

Minteh starting upfront for Feyenoord against Celtic.

3 minutes ago, MrRaspberryJam said:

Aye. The one first half in the box was ridiculous, just get the shot off and see what happens. Great point though Kaka x

Chose to bail out of the situation rather than deal with the possibility of making a mess of the shooting opportunity.

So unfortunate that's his mindset at the minute. Could have been a glorious moment for him.

Just now, James said:

Some of you are going on like we are expected to win the whole thing. Relegation certainties to the San Siro in two years man, and these players got us there.

 

I hope the people slagging off the players are told that they need a filling at their next dental check up.

I knew it was going to be like this in the new season, but I'm actually shocked at the extent of it.

I think it's going to be a season with a lot of ups and downs at points, and the fan base will make it even more difficult for the players. 

Going to be a massive challenge for the players.

Just now, MrRaspberryJam said:

He didn’t place it. Give the lad some slack imo. He didn’t have the best of games but he didn’t stop running all game, he - and many others - were dead on their feet at the end and he’s tried to welly it to snatch us the win. 

He gave his all I'll give him that. Needs to calm down and trust himself more. He's better than he shows a lot of times because he lacks composure.

The only thing that was really unacceptable was him throwing himself to the floor looking for fouls. Once just outside our box that could have cost us and once in their box with a great chance to shoot at goal.

Such an interesting matchup.

We had the ideal type of centre backs for matching up with Giroud, and they had ideal centre backs for matching up with Isak.

Both teams back fours were really good defensively I thought, and that was ultimately the story of the game.

First Champions League point. Class.

Longstaff so much time and space for that shot. So poorly placed.

Chelsea really just handed Tomori over to AC Milan. Unbelievable.

8 minutes ago, STM said:

Man, this place is aids.

Words fail me man.

1 minute ago, Schecter said:

This ref has been good. Not used to it.

So weird having a normal ref.

Longstaff is so scared to take responsibility. Rather look for a foul everytime.

Longstaff is such a loser man.

Just now, NUFC said:

Did Longstaff just fall over

If they had gone and scored from that man ... that was ridiculous.

Man, that is crazy. You lot stay safe if you're out there.

Maybe just wear your tops in the stadium but not once you are outside of it. 

Whole thing is disgraceful.