Eddie Howe

[Holmesy]

9 minutes ago, Maggies said:

I’d like to see a Isak/Wilson combo played against the low block teams.

Sometimes you just need bodies in scoring areas for the chances to fall to.

Isak proved in the last game that he has the craft we need around the box to capitalise on other player's movement. Controversial take but until we can sign a proper #10 (we may not even be in the market for one tbh) maybe Isak is our best option behind Wilson up top.

Thinking back to when Keegan dropped Owen deeper and played Viduka up top - that proved to be an inspired move.

[JEToon]

Is gaping holes in midfield an issue?  

 

West Ham we go behind as a consequence of pretty pathetic defending from a set play, Brighton the same.

 

Two situations where you would be expecting a lot better from a few individuals rather than tactical shape related IMO.

[Miggys First Goal]

Anybody had a chance to listen to the interview with Eddie and Simon Jordan yet?

[80]

23 minutes ago, Holmesy said:

Isak proved in the last game that he has the craft we need around the box to capitalise on other player's movement. Controversial take but until we can sign a proper #10 (we may not even be in the market for one tbh) maybe Isak is our best option behind Wilson up top.

Thinking back to when Keegan dropped Owen deeper and played Viduka up top - that proved to be an inspired move.

To me it's a fine idea, but Wilson is made of tissue paper so I think it would be irrelevant after one or two games... Really limits our options on that score.

 

Not that I'm overly worrying about the situation, but I'd be interested to know roughly when Eddie thinks Osula will be genuinely first team ready.

 

 

Edited December 6 by 80

[Kid Icarus]

15 minutes ago, Miggys First Goal said:

Anybody had a chance to listen to the interview with Eddie and Simon Jordan yet?

Yeah it's good. All the sort of questions and answers you'd expect like, but good nonetheless 

[Lush Vlad]

25 minutes ago, Holmesy said:

Isak proved in the last game that he has the craft we need around the box to capitalise on other player's movement. Controversial take but until we can sign a proper #10 (we may not even be in the market for one tbh) maybe Isak is our best option behind Wilson up top.

Thinking back to when Keegan dropped Owen deeper and played Viduka up top - that proved to be an inspired move.

 

Or we just have him playing up front and he does what he did against Liverpool?  Looking to get runners from midfield and out wide beyond him? 

 

Not sure losing another midfielder and almost playing an extra striker is the answer.  Especially when Wilson is made of glass and looked way past it even when he played last season.  Who's to say he would find so much space when he's playing as an actual number 10, as well? 

 

His movement from being up top to going into channels, in behind, coming short etc.  Was what made it so effective.  It must be a nightmare to know who is responsible for picking him up and marking him.  Players having to constantly guess if he's going in behind, staying still waiting for it to feet, dropping off etc.   

[80]

27 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

I don't know if we have the players to break down stubborn defences, but I think we need to make sure in these games we don't go behind through leaving gaping holes in the midfield. Hopefully moving Tonali into the 6 position will help with that in future games. It might not be as sexy as going at teams all guns blazing, but if we can keep it level for an hour, then take the chance when it comes, it's one way of coming away with points against teams with the low block. Just be a bit more patient with the passing and draw them out rather than let them sit back and close all the spaces off.

The problem with this is Eddie has - in word and deed - demonstrated he's totally committed to the psychology of trying to achieve full system dominance in every game we play. He doesn't like taking what he sees as a step back in the slightest, which gets exploited by teams who know this and don't feel the same way.

 

It'd be a major change for him to stop doing it that way, and I can't see it happening. To his credit, it's a winner's mentality.

[mondonewc]

36 minutes ago, Holmesy said:

Isak proved in the last game that he has the craft we need around the box to capitalise on other player's movement. Controversial take but until we can sign a proper #10 (we may not even be in the market for one tbh) maybe Isak is our best option behind Wilson up top.

Thinking back to when Keegan dropped Owen deeper and played Viduka up top - that proved to be an inspired move.

Don't think it would be a good move to switch Isak's position when Wilson sadly highly likely will be injured again very soon, could also knock Isak's confidence moving him to fit in Wilson. Isak has to play in his best position and you build the team around him. 

[janpawel]

This talk of playing vs a high line and low block, just shows the insane advantage Chelsea have as a result of the bent FFP

 

They have players suited for any system, Mudryk and Neto against a high line, Sancho, Madueke, Fernandez, Felix etc if they think they will dominate the ball 

 

Really hope the next 1/2 singing we make in midfield / attack give us another dimension we lack 

[TRon]

36 minutes ago, JEToon said:

Is gaping holes in midfield an issue?  

 

West Ham we go behind as a consequence of pretty pathetic defending from a set play, Brighton the same.

 

Two situations where you would be expecting a lot better from a few individuals rather than tactical shape related IMO.

It has been yes, not talking about one or two individual games but over the course of the season. I presume that's why Tonali was moved into that space to plug the gaps as he has good recovery pace.

[JEToon]

10 minutes ago, TRon said:

It has been yes, not talking about one or two individual games but over the course of the season. I presume that's why Tonali was moved into that space to plug the gaps as he has good recovery pace.

 

I would question the logic of that thought to be honest, if you watched our full games might not have that same thought, we haven't been that exposed and leaving gaping holes for the most part really, the defensive shape has been fine.  

 

I would expect the alteration with Sandro is leaned heavier on generating a better level of creative spark. 

 

 

Edited December 6 by JEToon

[TRon]

23 minutes ago, JEToon said:

 

I would question the logic of that thought to be honest, if you watched our full games might not have that same thought, we haven't been that exposed and leaving gaping holes for the most part really, the defensive shape has been fine.  

 

I would expect the alteration with Sandro is leaned heavier on generating a better level of creative spark. 

 

 

 

 

I've watched just about all of them, I missed the Brighton game because I was at a wedding, and the first half of the West Ham game because I was travelling. You might not think there has been holes left by the midfield, but it's been commented on quite a lot by others in the media. Quite a few of our goals conceded this season have been when we've been caught in possession then hit on the counter.

[JEToon]

Just now, TRon said:

 

I've watched just about all of them, I missed the Brighton game because I was at a wedding, and the first half of the West Ham game because I was travelling. You might not think there has been holes left by the midfield, but it's been commented on quite a lot by others in the media. Quite a few of our goals conceded this season have been when we've been caught in possession then hit on the counter.

 

I haven’t heard it that much to be honest, depends who you listen to and how serious you take them I suppose.  

 

I would suggest our work from set plays has been a far greater issue than supposed gaping holes in midfield personally like.

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

The midfield issues are caused by being so bad at retaining the ball as well. Killer in a team which wants to flood forward quickly. 

[Maggies]

1 hour ago, Kid Icarus said:

Yeah it's good. All the sort of questions and answers you'd expect like, but good nonetheless 

Main take away from me is that PIF’s intention remains for us to be #1 and win the lot, but with an acceptance due to PSR that’s a longer term goal now.

[KaKa]

I'm hoping Bruno further forward will be our low block buster.

 

Adding in a right winger with some guile and nous, or at the very least quality to get to the byline and provide dangerous cutbacks will help too.

[KaKa]

1 hour ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

The midfield issues are caused by being so bad at retaining the ball as well. Killer in a team which wants to flood forward quickly. 

 

I think it will get better once these three settle in and get more familiar with the current setup.

 

Joelinton will still have his moments where he may be a bit loose with the ball, but we should be better protected with Tonali deeper now. I think once we get a quality right winger in the team that will also help, so we are not also compromised in that position too, like we were with Murphy against Liverpool.

 

I'd actually like to see Joelinton encouraged to get further forward and not be as involved in the initial build up closer to our goal. Let Tonali and Bruno deal with that, and down the left Hall can also take on those responsibilities (inverting at times if need be). That will help avoid a lot of those dangerous turnovers.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 6 by KaKa

[Scoot]

Slightly contradicts his comments about him and the club having hugely ambitious plans.

[Kanj]

14 minutes ago, Scoot said:

Slightly contradicts his comments about him and the club having hugely ambitious plans.

 

You should watch the full interview then. 

[Kanj]

37 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

I think it will get better once these three settle in and get more familiar with the current setup.

 

Joelinton will still have his moments where he may be a bit loose with the ball, but we should be better protected with Tonali deeper now. I think once we get a quality right winger in the team that will also help, so we are not also compromised in that position too, like we were with Murphy against Liverpool.

 

I'd actually like to see Joelinton encouraged to get further forward and not be as involved in the initial build up closer to our goal. Let Tonali and Bruno deal with that, and down the left Hall can also take on those responsibilities (inverting at times if need be). That will help avoid a lot of those dangerous turnovers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

for this season at least, this where I'd rotate Willock/Joelinton situationally based on the opposition. If we are in need of breaking a team down, then you play Willock. If we are playing a bit of 50/50 game then you play Joelinton, leaning towards either based on fitness and overall game plan. Eventually getting someone who is the next version of Cunha or Szob to play that LCM role with ball carrying, engine, and ball playing/attacking threat would be ideal. 

[KaKa]

21 minutes ago, Kanj said:

 

for this season at least, this where I'd rotate Willock/Joelinton situationally based on the opposition. If we are in need of breaking a team down, then you play Willock. If we are playing a bit of 50/50 game then you play Joelinton, leaning towards either based on fitness and overall game plan. Eventually getting someone who is the next version of Cunha or Szob to play that LCM role with ball carrying, engine, and ball playing/attacking threat would be ideal. 

 

Yeah, it's not a bad shout. Especially while we don't have a quality option at right wing to create more threat.

 

Once we do upgrade that right wing spot, Joelinton's deficiencies won't be as much of an issue. And we can just let him be the midfield enforcer he is.

 

Willock will really need to be productive in those moments he starts though, because he is too inconsistent. We lose a lot of energy, physicality, ball winning, and set piece help in both boxes, if we're subbing in Willock for Joelinton. He'd really have to make it worthwhile.

 

Personally, I'd probably just have Willock come on as an early sub, if we need some extra threat rather than have him outright alternate as a starter with big Joe.

[Scoot]

32 minutes ago, Kanj said:

 

You should watch the full interview then. 

 

I have. Have I missed something?

[Kanj]

22 minutes ago, Scoot said:

 

I have. Have I missed something?

 

You did. He point blank said that is the long term ambition. 

[Scoot]

5 minutes ago, Kanj said:

 

You did. He point blank said that is the long term ambition. 

 

Top consistently compete with the big 6?

 

I was possibly on my phone when he said that. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

IIRC the second bit of the quote and the ‘unbelievable things’ is about winning the league and trophies etc, achieving the lofty ambitions that Staveley set. 
 

He also said that everything she said is still the ultimate ambition. It’s just more difficult because of the rules. 

 

 

Edited December 6 by AyeDubbleYoo