Tiresias

Couldn't possibly guess for all time but I think when Klopp's Dortmund started winning titles and his manic counter pressing was still kind of new. I know it wasn't and was plenty of precedents but it was refreshing after everyone was just trying to calmly keep the ball like Guardiola's Barca did . Obviously now we're so used to everyone doing it it's kinda got a little dull (I also realise i mainly watched them in europe, not really full Bundesliga matches)

He's just the nicest man as well isn't he. After years of total slimy troglodytes it makes a huge difference.

indeed

Any retrospective action against Tarkowski?

Colo at his best was better albeit if lejeune keeps it up he may catch up. In one on ones you always just knew Colo would walk away with the ball

I think it's partially out of necessity for the players he has, partially as a reaction to the trend which is towards 3 at the back (3-4-3 is a system very suited to playing against Rafas usual 4-2-3-1 as it overloads the wings and bypasses the 2 defensive mids albeit at expense of some midfield control usually). I think it was a way around how dependent we were on Shelvey, Schar and Lejeune are providing creativity from the back with this and are freer to do so with Lascelles there too. It also pushes up the full backs and gets more opportunities to get the ball to Rondon. I think one of the reasons it works so well is that Rafa has the defense so well drilled that when there is a high press against us we are happy to drop deeper and play on the counter, a lot of the 3-4-3-s I've seen in the league are very aggressive, we can turn it into a 5-3-2 and clog up the game and hit on the break and then push more, it has a flexibility.

To be fair it would only make a few mags dotted around the ground to be a majority in there

Oh god this is going to play into Ashley's narrative, it will be that Leicester poached him not his fault, rather than Rafa is desperate to stay but won't without backing that isn't going to happen.

Eh? Wasn't arguing Racism wasn't or shouldn't be illegal obviously

If it's so bad why wasn't it explicitly against the rules? It's not like he's the first to ever do it and yet they have to fine them for breaching 'good faith', which is a bit rich in a sport where there is constant on the field cheating (wasting time, intimidating ref, bad tackles to injure, simulation, appealing for fouls that didn't happen) all of which in many ways impact the actual result in all likelihood more.

Leeds United have been fined £200000 for spygate, so I guess by their estimation parking outside a training ground and watching other teams preparation is twice as bad as racism (i.e. shelvey's 100000 fine, regardless if true or not)

ffs

Rondon clearly didnt keep ball in corner for the rest of teh game just cos thats too unsporting for him

Blobfish? Sigh. Would ultimately go the same way as McLaren imo who had good intentions but couldn't shoulder the weight of having to deal with our awful behind the scenes setup, get players fighting despite what they're up against and dealing with ashley twattery

I am excited about Almiron but a bit concerned everyone is expecting the world from him straight away. He's barely played for a month and is new to the league. He may take time.

Also normally hate people dissmissing stats and what not outright but bollocks is Darlow better than Dubravka

Do they work out pass into danger by counting passes to Manquillo?

Gonna happen now and then

Feel for dubravka but he's scored us enough points to be forgiven.

God we get close to a result in a very difficult away fixture and people are mad? Dubs will hopefully bounce back it is uncharacteristic

More likely will concede again than equalise at the moment

Of course ffs dubs

Not terrible half, could have conceded easily but Spurs are a very good side. We could have had a goal but 0-0 is just about fair, they are perhaps unlucky not to have scored. This will hinge on if Spurs tire themselves out or get stronger, and if we can take one of our chances.

Gah really good chance

Perez could have shot but still more support and could have scored there