duo

8 minutes ago, Mikky said:

This is why you need a 6 - and I don’t mean “we should have bought one” - I mean with what we have - whether it’s Bruno or Tonali

 

playing a double pivot allows you to play Bruno as the 6 - Sandro to the left of centre which then provides cover for Hall who can press higher up 

Neither are a 6 which is the problem. 

5 minutes ago, madras said:

Different personnel getting acclimatised.

It's just Tonali really. The team as a whole just don't appear to be on the front foot. One of our strengths before was winning back possession high up the pitch. But now we are allowing teams to have possession and come at us. Has to he a tactical switch.

1 hour ago, LFEE said:

I think it’s quite obvious that there’s been a cock up at the clubs end. The empty seats all being together suggests they are from a single transaction or allocation thereabouts. Seems a stretch to think that a dozen or more people who have bought not to use were all just happening to be sat together surely. Probably the batch for corporate boxes and they thought it was too much hassle in the end.

 

 

Yeah I think it's highly unlikely a whole section of fans decided not to attend. More like a mess up in their allocation.

50 minutes ago, gbandit said:

Don’t even think the defence was the biggest issue yesterday, it was the fact our midfield offered absolutely zero protection and they played through us at will. Yes Trippier and Burn had poor games but so did everyone 

We've lost our intensity which was our biggest strength. And it's a mystery why.

Our form started to tail off towards the end of last season. And we've not really picked up this season either.  It is not the results I am concerned about atm it's how we are playing. And we haven't been at our best for a while.  That is what concerns me the most.  Our system just needs a total rethink.

I don't get why we have lost our press. It was so successful last season but we just don't seem to be doing it this season. 

5 minutes ago, Cronky said:

 

I agree. That at least is a combination that we know can work. 

 

Overall, I didn't think Tonali had a good game today. He looked okay in flashes, but most of the time, he didn't seem to know what he was doing, and seemed tentative. His failure to even attempt to close down Gilmour for the first goal was just awful and would have been noticed by his team-mates.

 

 

Tonali on paper seemed like a perfect fit as he was known for his pressing.  But we don't seem to be on the press like we were. 

Anyone know what our pressing stats this season? 

1 minute ago, Shearergol said:

I’d stick Joelinton either on the left or on the bench. Tonali is our best midfielder so far.

Maybe - I am not a coach so have no idea what will work but I just know the current system doesn't. 

Just now, Myleftboot said:

They ain’t leaving a 52m player out the team. I thought Longstaff was awful when he came on.

The whole team was awful. But you can't deny he made the difference last season - we were at our best when he played with Bruno and Joe.  To fit Tonali Eddie needs to break his mold and come up with a new formation.  Joe - Bruno - Tonali just isn't working atm.

9 minutes ago, Myleftboot said:

Tonali.                             Bruno.
 

                 New DM. 

Well a new DM isn't going to happen - personally I think Eddie needs to revert to Joelinton, Bruno and Longtaff.  I noticed when he came on against Liverpool the midfield just had more balance.  Tonali as good as he is just doesn't seem to work with Joelinton and Bruno.  That's a problem Eddie is going to have to fix - quick.

Got to admit I agree with Jamie with regards Longstaff

Just now, KaKa said:

 

Amen man. This is exactly where I'm at. Last season was outrageous. It didn't even make sense.

 

This season is going to be the most difficult because if what we achieved last season and what people now expect is to do this season.

 

I would not want to be Eddie Howe at all this year. God help him.

It's not the fact we lost that is disappointing it's how poor we were.  This is Brighton - people are giving them far too much respect.  I'd expect us to at least have a go.

Just now, TheBrownBottle said:

100%.  Look at our starting XI - a lot of that side need coached and drilled into being top performers.  Isak, Bruno, Trippier and Tonali are the only ones who a top six side would contemplate buying for their first XI.

 

We’re still early into a rebuild. Patience is necessary. 

 Come on - we've a better 11 than Brighton.  You can use that excuse against, City, Liverpool, etc.  Not Brighton. 

Just now, TheBrownBottle said:

I think a few need to calm down a bit.  We lost away to a really good side - it’s nowhere near panic stations yet.  Unless of course you’re expecting us to challenge for the title, in which case panic away you delusional knacker

I am not panicking just disappointed as to how bad we were. You cannot use the excuse that Brighton are a good side, we weren't at the races.  Brighton didn't even play that well - they beat us playing in 2nd gear.

1 minute ago, OCK said:

Easily the worst 90 minutes I can remember for a LONG time

I am not quite as deflated as the Liverpool game but it's a close second.  The performance was awful. We're better than this.

13 minutes ago, Beth said:

Looks like he's wearing flip flops when the ball's at his feet.

Great shot stopper but isn't a sweeper keeper.

Just now, Nine said:

If you think that because we managed to achieve top 4 last season that should mean we do again and anything less is failure, you are a clown.

 

 

 

Forget the table - it's the performance that is disappointing. We weren't at the races.

this game just doesn't want to end

9 minutes ago, Sima said:

Spending £60m on two fullbacks who can’t play instead of spending money on a creative RW seems fucking wild.

We are crying out for Maddison in the middle of the park - Isak would lap up his through balls.

2 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

The whole Brighton operation is and we'll get there eventually too.

 

Brighton are no joke and are going no where. No matter how much people don't like to admit it.

Agreed but we're a good team as well.  Just haven't looked it today - we all know we can play better.  We have see it with this same set of players.  

Just now, TBG said:

 

We're gonna smash PSG, Dortmund and Milan.

Not playing like this we're not.  We need to find our mojo again.

1 minute ago, Wullie said:

 

This is really noticeable, we used to base a huge amount round him interchanging with Bruno and Almiron down the right, at the minute he's just playing as a defensive full back who's not that great at defending. 

He'd always get 3 bonus on FPL just for the shear amount of chances he'd create.  Definitely been blunted this season.

Tactically he's just been totally out classed.  That is just a fact.

1 minute ago, SAK said:

International break can’t come fast enough.

100% we need a total re-set.