Alberts Mustache

The main reason being injuries and fitness issues due to the number of games. That should not (in a perfect world) be an issue this year. That being said, I totally agree that we need better cover at the back. But the notion that we are massiveley weakened other than our injuries at CB (re the mention of Minteh and Anderson), is simply not true.

We didn't have Minteh in our squad last season. We lost Anderson, but regained Tonali and added Kelly. We have the same (I'd say a better) squad as we had playing CL last year, going into a season with no European football – with a lot less need for rotation.

We don't have the same amount of games this season, and hopefully fitness, strain and injuries won't be as big of an issue. It should also give us an advantage towards our main rivals. However, our lack of quality cover at the back could cost us the first half of the season, as injuries and exhausted players did cost us a european spot last year.

Deck that clown.

Being consistent and going after your priority targets – that has right mentality, ability and personality to fit the group – builds a winning team. Settling for third and fourth choices, and shopping around for players that's almost what you're looking for, eventually gets you West Ham United.

Positive thing about this, is that there is no hiding the agenda anymore. Love the honesty. Wish City would change colours to red, green and black. Would be so classy. Hope we get a sabre in the crest next season.

Absolutely agree. The lack of proper positioning, closing down and tackling in midfield is just as big a reason for our defensive problems. We need a proper DM, without a doubt.

Class player! And we could definitely use a better left footed CD if we're gonna continue with 3/5 at the back.

I hope we start in the right end, by adding some solid professionals and leaders in the centre of the field.

This also goes to show that just scouting talents will only get you so far. Without a solid group for them to learn from, a well thought out development plan and a system that fits their style of play, you'll end up like Manchester United.

Rafa building a solid foundation with a defensive plan, 100% professionalism and a direction forward is just what this club needs right now. Then we can expand to the next level. Perhaps he could even take on a DOF-role at the club later on.

Norwich: Normann – their best player by far. Superb ball-winner.

Rangnick in an administrative role would be such a massive resource. Get!

Shouldn't we be planning for something more long term? Conte only stays for two seasons before moving on.

HAHAHA. Ridiculous!

There's no sign of any tactical detail, focus area or specific instructions. It's basically just "five at the back, park the bus". And we're DOWN 1-0. How can anyone get away with this total lack of competence in the Premier League in 2020? Really?! And during the little break now, instead of giving out directions and trying to tighten things up, he's just standing there with his hands in his pockets. I am shocked, literally.

I can't watch this. We have no plan. Our positioning makes no sense. Our pressure isn't consistent at all. Nobody knows what to do when we win the ball. What the F*** are they training on all week?

We have three covering no man's land, leaving the gap in front of our defenders wide open. This makes no sense.

When we loose the ball we're not even moving our players out. Just hoofing and keeping the team low. This is basically surrendering.

:lol: I'm laughing, but I'm crying.

:thup: Both offensively and defensively. Opposition runs right through them way too easily. Playing with a flat midfield two obviously isn't helping, but they cover ground way too slowly – and looses possession too often.

More or less all top clubs in modern football play with dynamic formations, making it easy to shift pressure, attack different areas and adapt as the game progresses. Atletico and other clubs might start with a 4-4-2 on paper, but it's definitely not the same as that shockingly outdated sh*** we saw yesterday.

Kudos to Brighton for exploiting those well hidden spaces on both flanks and in the 25 metre gap between our midfield and defense. They didn't even flinch by our no-pressure-tactic. We were truly outfoxed. How they figured us out, I guess we'll never know. Oh well, back to the basics. I'm still shocked at what I saw yesterday. The entire world figured out how to deal with that kind of football in 1989.

Doesn't matter what players we buy now. In that 4-4-2 "system" of ours they'll be ruined by the end of next week anyway – unless we sign somebody from the 1980's.

Seeing a flat 4-4-2 like that, with no distribution of roles what so ever, makes me think of playing Championship Manager 2 when I was ten.