Holmesy

We're currently playing 3 CMs and we would we still be playing 3 CMs - it's the only area of the pitch where nothing would change.

I disagree - In Trippier/Livra and Hall we have exactly the type of fullbacks we need for a 5-3-2. It also negates the glaring wonky wheel at right wing. Kelly is perfect for the left side of a back 3, and the extra cover gives Schar license to get involved in attacking play. Gordon or Barnes playing at 10 just behind Isak is the only question mark but they're both technically capable of playing that role. I'd argue we're currently better suited to a back 5 than we are a back 4

We also don't have to play 4-3-3. We could play a 4-4-1-1, 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 (which would probably suit our crop of available players better). Sky Sports did a bit on Tuchel yesterday, highlighting the number of different formations uses, and his flexibility and willingness to try new things. We play 4-3-3. That's it! I think we've tried 5 at the back twice? If the current setup isn't working, why not tweak the formation before bringing the likes of Longstaff back into the first team at the expense of someone more talented?!

Fair enough, my bad. Apologies. If Eddie left, I think I would consider Iraola. They strike me as quite similar managers tbh - young, progressive, highly-rated and I don't think it would be the risk you're suggesting. Admittedly, I don't have a deep knowledge of European and world football so other than the obvious big names, I don't know any up-and-coming candidates. Alonso is the obvious one but he's being touted as the next City manager.

No. Where on earth have you got that from?! The whole conversation is about who we would want IF Eddie got the boot. Obviously I would prefer us to be managed by someone rather than no one, hence the suggestions. That's kind of how these threads work - helps if you read the earlier posts first.

Available is the tricky one here, particularly as we don't truly know who is making themselves 'available'. But of the names that have been available, Tuchel and Emery would be the two who I believe would do better with this squad. Andoni Iraola has also shown he can make a group of players stronger than the sum of their parts. Right now, he'd probably be the one i'd like us pursue if Eddie did go.

I just don't get this mentality at all. It's almost certainly a hangover from the Ashley years. We are now (for the most part) an ambitious, well run football club with money. If Eddie goes, we'll arguably replace him with a manager of superior pedigree. I don't think any of us want to see if happen, but if it does we'll move on and probably upwards quickly. No biggy

I think it's less that we can't and more that we won't. Seemingly the deal has to be absolutely perfect for us to consider it. What we don't know is if that's on the board side or the Manager side. And I guess that's one big 'if' about Eddie. If he is so particular about the players he's prepared to bring into the group that it severely limits our options.......

If Mitchell can't find someone like that, given his extensive network, questions need to start being asked. And even if we can save £5-10m by waiting until the summer, they have a duty to the players, fans and manager to forego that £5-10m to get the player in in January and make up for the total fucking debacle of the past tow transfer windows.

Even if we have to make a signing that doesn't fit our blueprint to give the existing players a bit of extra motivation, and freshen things up a bit, they should just get it done. It's like there's no recognition of the additional impact that new signings have outside of just improving the quality of the squad. Give a 1 year contract to a sexy, continental free signing if that's what it takes.

There's a staleness about the way we're playing, and the lack of new bodies will be a major contributing factor. We're nothing new to most of the teams we play week-in, week-out. It's still Eddie's job to motivate the players we do have but he has been royally fucked over by the board two transfer windows running. Complete lack of forward planning by the top brass that has predictably started to bite us in the arse.

Nailed on

Replace Bellingham with Mainoo and that looks strong. One of Foden or Bellingham will have to be benched. It's shit for them but it's a great problem to have. We just need a manager with a pair of balls who is prepared to make the tough decisions. Southgate certainly wasn't it and it looks like Carsley is just as wet. I like his attacking intent but he's coming across a bit Steve Bruce at the moment.

It’s like watching toddlers defend.

I was just about to post the same thing. Tottenham's stadium cost around £1bn, and it's in fecking London. Costs will definitely have gone up since then but not by 4 times. Dickheads!

That’s a really poor penalty. I reckon he’ll score from open play now though 💪🏻

I imagine not - a few M&S sausage rolls thrown in either direction early doors but then it'll all settle down.

If PSR was designed to be fair, and truly create a sustainable, competitive league, they'd have capped the top 6 in terms of spending until the rest of the league had chance to catch up in terms of commercial revenue. But any talk of imposing limitations on the red cartel and pals is laughable. The PL are shit scared they'll lose them to some breakaway league where their financial status is never threatened. Unfortunately, we'll keep seeing new rules brought in to protect them, and the powers that be will keep moving the goalposts to keep their golden boys happy. It's a closed shop

That's the big conundrum. On current form, alongside Isak instead of Gordon

He spoke absolute sense about Southgate the other day as well. Nailed it! I might have to stop disliking the self-obsessed prick if he keeps this up

Maybe you're right, it could just be circumstance and history that makes it feel that way. I think it's fair to say he sees himself as a LW though, and not many players are happy playing what they consider to be 'out of position'. Who knows?! Whichever configuration works to get them into the team together, just get it done.

I'd argue the same but i think there's an element of trying to keep Gordon happy. He clearly sees himself as a LW, he's bloody brilliant there and he wants to nail down that England spot. He also has high-profile admirers elsewhere who would play him in his favoured position.

I think that's the main crux of the discussion really. It doesn't look like it, but he does have a decent left peg. We'd lose a lot of his cutting in potency for sure, but would he be more consistent and dangerous on the right than Murphy and Almiron? Probably

He simply needs to find a way to make it work. We could have one of the most potent front threes in the league in Gordon, Isak and Barnes. I'm sure both wingers would rather play on the left, but i'm also sure Barnes would rather play on the right than be benched.

The current players we have at our disposal would probably suit a 5-3-2 better than 4-3-3. Replace our crap RWs with Tripps down that side. Negate Hall's 1-1 weakness by having Kelly there as support Gordon playing up top nearer to Isak, breaking the lines with his pace