Benwell Lad Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Last night was absolutely rank. As were the Brighton and Huddersfield defeats. There's no doubt that Rafa's tactical nous will put points on board in some games but that's three times now we've approached a game against teams who are certainly no better than us, in exactly the same cautious/negative manner, and they've all panned out the same way. If we displayed some flexibility in our approach to such games, and actually went for it occasionally, I'm pretty sure we'd have something to show from those three matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Our aim is to stay in the league this season, the tactics are putting regular points on the board and we aren't getting hammered by anyone. Ashley failed to add to the squad so we are left with little cutting edge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Last night was absolutely rank. As were the Brighton and Huddersfield defeats. There's no doubt that Rafa's tactical nous will put points on board in some games but that's three times now we've approached a game against teams who are certainly no better than us, in exactly the same cautious/negative manner, and they've all panned out the same way. If we displayed some flexibility in our approach to such games, and actually went for it occasionally, I'm pretty sure we'd have something to show from those three matches. I still try and counter that it's tough to judge on our championship efforts and a weak team in the prem, and that his teams will open up more in time with better players/strikers at his disposal. I'm not totally convinced by my own argument, but of course happy to endure these games to see what he can do over the coming seasons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0cafella Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Our aim is to stay in the league this season, the tactics are putting regular points on the board and we aren't getting hammered by anyone. Ashley failed to add to the squad so we are left with little cutting edge. Pretty much. We lost an extremely tight match yesterday, we know Rafa is organised and this is why Burnley created so little, we could try and be more expansive but that would leave more space for the home side to exploit. Hopefully we can improve things in January get some players in more suited to a counter attacking style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Our aim is to stay in the league this season, the tactics are putting regular points on the board and we aren't getting hammered by anyone. Ashley failed to add to the squad so we are left with little cutting edge. Pretty much. We lost an extremely tight match yesterday, we know Rafa is organised and this is why Burnley created so little, we could try and be more expansive but that would leave more space for the home side to exploit. Hopefully we can improve things in January get some players in more suited to a counter attacking style. Agree with both. If Rafa trusted the players he had he'd allow them to open up more but he clearly doesn't. We've got a solid base and Rafa will stick to keeping things solid, if/when we get better attacking players we'll be better imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinho lad Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Don't get the ritchie for 10 shouts at all. One you lose his crossing and his closing down and helping the fullback, and two I don't really see anything in his game that suggests he would have the attributes to play there. Agree. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Number 10 must be the least understood position going. I'm not saying I know loads about it like, because I don't, but you do see a lot of players suggested for the role that are canny clearly unsuitable for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggs Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Number 10 must be the least understood position going. I'm not saying I know loads about it like, because I don't, but you do see a lot of players suggested for the role that are canny clearly unsuitable for it. Tbf I think the likes of Ritchie are only being seen as maybe playing there because the guys who apparently can play there are so bad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Number 10 must be the least understood position going. I'm not saying I know loads about it like, because I don't, but you do see a lot of players suggested for the role that are canny clearly unsuitable for it. Tbf I think the likes of Ritchie are only being seen as maybe playing there because the guys who apparently can play there are so bad Exactly, that's all it is. Ritchie isn't remotely suited but people are just begging for a change. We won't get one, like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeletor Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I can't really fault Rafa for the negative approach. At least not until we have a squad of competent attacking players. The exclusion of Aarons and Mitrovic is frustrating though as they are players with a little bit of spark that could make a difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Number 10 must be the least understood position going. I'm not saying I know loads about it like, because I don't, but you do see a lot of players suggested for the role that are canny clearly unsuitable for it. This is the case for most calls for players playing out of position tbh, i absolutely despise it personally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xLiaaamx Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Never even used to be a mandatory position to use. Much prefer a normal 4-3-3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Santon at right back annoyed me more than the repetition of this post annoys anyone having to read it yet again. Nowadays it's pointless two up top/442 posts, but it seems less intense this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Number 10 must be the least understood position going. I'm not saying I know loads about it like, because I don't, but you do see a lot of players suggested for the role that are canny clearly unsuitable for it. Tbf I think the likes of Ritchie are only being seen as maybe playing there because the guys who apparently can play there are so bad Exactly, that's all it is. Ritchie isn't remotely suited but people are just begging for a change. We won't get one, like. Not entirely. I'd suggest Ritchie vs our other options because he's mobile, has good control, can run with the ball and pick a pass. Off the ball I have my reservations but otherwise he's better than the alternatives. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 On FIFA Richie is a great central midfielder, make of that what you will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Away Day Gadgie Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Ritchie could absolutely play through the middle, howay he couldn't exactly be worse than Perez could he? He'd more than likely get a lot more opportunities effect the game and take shots than he does out wide. Playing number 10 doesn't mean he has to stay in the middle either as someone suggested before, he'd be able to find space out wide and put crosses in rather than always being faced with a full back ready to stop the cross. Moving him there would also mean Atsu could play on the right (where he's looked better for me) and give either Murphy or Aarons a chance on the left. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I think the case is getting strong for Merino/Shelvey/Hayden all to play together. The front two just aren't working at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanshithispantz Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Outside of corner kicks Ritchie has been stifled pretty easily on the wing like, I don’t see how it’d be any better in the middle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I think the case is getting strong for Merino/Shelvey/Hayden all to play together. The front two just aren't working at all. Not when none of them are comfortable in the final third it isn't, like I been saying there's no realistic alternative to what Rafa's currently picking. People are looking for solutions which frankly don't work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallsendmag Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I think the case is getting strong for Merino/Shelvey/Hayden all to play together. The front two just aren't working at all. Not when none of them are comfortable in the final third it isn't, like I been saying there's no realistic alternative to what Rafa's currently picking. People are looking for solutions which frankly don't work. Apparently Merino has played that position a few times for Spain U21s? Let's be honest here Perez certainly doesn't work and it's not like he hasn't had plenty of chances. I think it's worth trying Merino there until January when hopefully we can go out and recruit someone more suited to that role. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Away Day Gadgie Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Outside of corner kicks Ritchie has been stifled pretty easily on the wing like, I don’t see how it’d be any better in the middle. Because a lot of the time he's either getting doubled-up on or has to go past someone to get a cross in, which obviously isn't his strength. Ideally he needs Yedlin or another one of our attackers to help work some space so he can do the damage but it's not happening enough. Perez is getting the ball in some decent positions but either takes too long to make a decision or his execution is crap, Ritchie is much better at both of these things. Like i say, surely better than Perez. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0cafella Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I think as Perez in this system as I do Kuyt in Liverpool’s system under Rafa, primarily defensive who’s objective is to close down and apply pressure to the oppositions pivots and secondarily make runs to support the striker. Sure we could try Ritchie in this role but I’m not sure our other wingers are disciplined enough defensively to protect our fullbacks. This is what I believe is Rafa’s thinking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benwell Lad Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Sauce told me that Ritchie would like a No.10 type role, and it would provide a pathway for the pace of Murphy or Aarons to be brought into the team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I don't buy this Hayden/Merino/Shelvey aren't number 10's argument. What and Perez is? One of them literally has to run around to be on a par with Perez's recent performances. We might just get one decent moment with one of them further forward. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Away Day Gadgie Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Ritchie never played a game at 10 in his life, and at the moment has the vast majority of the assists in this team. If he drifts out wide what is the point of moving him into the centre in the first place? If you look at our average positions against Burnley, its very regimented, Perez basically played on Joselu's toes, which I'd imagine is what Rafa want's him to do. http://i63.tinypic.com/2m2zypx_th.png I don't think its any surprise that there is a paucity of great players to sign as a 10, hard position to play. Your idea of a number 10 must be different to mine. I would want my number 10 to find space in order to affect the game in the best possible way, if that means drifting out wide at certain points of the game then so be it. Beardsley is the best one we've had and he wasn't limited to staying through the middle. You can't really use Perez' average position as marker for what our 10 should be doing when it's universally agreed that he's doing a s*** job Aye, Rafa probably does want him close to the striker but not when he's not getting a sniff of the ball or being instantly dispossessed through lack of space. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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