Transfer rumours

[Happinesstan]

We desperately need an all-rounder in there. Hendrick might be Bruce's answer to that.

 

But that is based on the idea that we play something a bit more expansive than 442.

 

We've got Wilson and Gayle [when required] up top, two players that, I believe, should you provide them with 5 chances every match [on average], would turn that into a solid return.

 

In ASM, Almiron, Fraser, Big Jo, and Ritchie [not forgetting a hungry Jacob Murphy] we have the players to provide those chances.

 

We just need to be able to control the middle for periods.

 

As to Hendrick, I can't speak to his ability. His assist against West Ham suggested he has the right mentality for this stage in his career, but his goal looked too much like the kind of goal you see on the training pitch, that with the intense pressure of a crowd, is rarely replicated.

 

But anyway. What do we need to make 442 work?

[Yorkie]

A time machine.

[TRon]

We desperately need an all-rounder in there. Hendrick might be Bruce's answer to that.

 

But that is based on the idea that we play something a bit more expansive than 442.

 

We've got Wilson and Gayle [when required] up top, two players that, I believe, should you provide them with 5 chances every match [on average], would turn that into a solid return.

 

In ASM, Almiron, Fraser, Big Jo, and Ritchie [not forgetting a hungry Jacob Murphy] we have the players to provide those chances.

 

We just need to be able to control the middle for periods.

 

As to Hendrick, I can't speak to his ability. His assist against West Ham suggested he has the right mentality for this stage in his career, but his goal looked too much like the kind of goal you see on the training pitch, that with the intense pressure of a crowd, is rarely replicated.

 

But anyway. What do we need to make 442 work?

 

If you are going 4-4-2 the four across the middle have to be mobile and hard working. If you want to keep the ball, they need to be good with the ball as well, so no Amdy faye types. Good full backs who can pass the ball will help, and of most important of all, a manager who knows how to construct team shape and dynamic.

[Rocker]

A time machine.

 

A lobotomy.

[Shearergol]

But anyway. What do we need to make 442 work?

 

All of the other teams to change their tactics

[AyeDubbleYoo]

We also need another striker to make 4-4-2 work.

[Dr Jinx]

I think there lies the problem, Steve Bruce hasn’t a clue what his best 11 is or his best formation. It’s pick and hope for the best.

 

We can agree that the squad is better than what Rafa ever had, yet if he was still here he’d have the whole thing analysed. Down to a tee.

 

What Rafa also knows which pisses many of us off is that the team might be better without one or two of our so called best players in the starting 11.

 

For example, ASM would have huge problems keeping his place.

 

I don’t think any of us have a clue what the best 11 is as we’ll probably never see it while he perseveres with certain players.

[Happinesstan]

I think there lies the problem, Steve Bruce hasn’t a clue what his best 11 is or his best formation. It’s pick and hope for the best.

 

We can agree that the squad is better than what Rafa ever had, yet if he was still here he’d have the whole thing analysed. Down to a tee.

 

What Rafa also knows which pisses many of us off is that the team might be better without one or two of our so called best players in the starting 11.

 

For example, ASM would have huge problems keeping his place.

 

I don’t think any of us have a clue what the best 11 is as we’ll probably never see it while he perseveres with certain players.

 

I'm not convinced he would have ever gained a place, but I think [based on limited viewing, admittedly] he's performed well enough to have earned Rafa's trust. Whether that is down to Bruce being so lovable is open to question.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

The squad is better but Bruce has fucked off our best CBs and no longer has the proven quality of Rondon and Perez.

 

I really think we could go down, unless he’s capable of putting together a solid team that can counterattack along the ground instead of lumping it to Andy. 4-4-2 wont work, Carroll starting every game won’t work, Wilson may not make enough of a difference.

[Happinesstan]

The squad is better but Bruce has fucked off our best CBs and no longer has the proven quality of Rondon and Perez.

 

I really think we could go down, unless he’s capable of putting together a solid team that can counterattack along the ground instead of limping it to Andy. 4-4-2 wont work, Carroll starting every game won’t work, Wilson may not make enough of a difference.

 

Definitely. Wilson will be as successful as Gayle, if he gets the same number of chances. Bruce has already outlined the way he is looking to play by telling Almiron he needs to get used to it. He'll change back once Almiron is accomplished in the 442.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Say we were statistically the worst or second worst team last year. The signings might make us second to fourth worst statistically... then all we need is a bit worse luck or management to really be in the shit.

 

Our signings are decent but I don’t think they’ve meaningfully improved our prospects that much. They’re marginal gains.

[Happinesstan]

Say we were statistically the worst or second worst team last year. The signings might make us second to fourth worst statistically... then all we need is a bit worse luck or management to really be in the shit.

 

Our signings are decent but I don’t think they’ve meaningfully improved our prospects that much. They’re marginal gains.

 

Marginal gains negated by the tool that employs them.

[Consortium of one]

              Dubs

 

Manq  Lascelles  Fed  Lewis

 

          Hayden  Hendrick

 

 

ASM                    Almiron

          Big Joe

                      Wilson

 

I think more of a 424 would be be best.  Hayden and Hendrick play deeper holding roles but Hendrick can move further up to supplement the attack.  I think he's a heady player with good positional sense and awareness.

 

Problem is I think both ASM and Miggy are better on the left. 

 

Could also see us in a 4321 as well.

 

Would really love a guy like Doucore in the squad.  He would supercharge the midfield

[Happinesstan]

              Dubs

 

Manq  Lascelles  Fed  Lewis

 

          Hayden  Hendrick

 

 

ASM                    Almiron

          Big Joe

                      Wilson

 

I think more of a 424 would be be best.  Hayden and Hendrick play deeper holding roles but Hendrick can move further up to supplement the attack.  I think he's a heady player with good positional sense and awareness.

 

Problem is I think both ASM and Miggy are better on the left.

 

Could also see us in a 4321 as well.

 

Would really love a guy like Doucore in the squad.  He would supercharge the midfield

 

Agree with this, I think the best thing to do is to play them as a central pair with the freedom to exploit any spaces that appear, focus on developing that relationship. Push the wingbacks up to help out, leaving 2CBs and Hayden to cover. Jobs an adequate one.

 

[mighty__mag]

              Dubs

 

Manq  Lascelles  Fed  Lewis

 

          Hayden  Hendrick

 

 

ASM                    Almiron

          Big Joe

                      Wilson

 

I think more of a 424 would be be best.  Hayden and Hendrick play deeper holding roles but Hendrick can move further up to supplement the attack.  I think he's a heady player with good positional sense and awareness.

 

Problem is I think both ASM and Miggy are better on the left.

 

Could also see us in a 4321 as well.

 

Would really love a guy like Doucore in the squad.  He would supercharge the midfield

 

Agree with this, I think the best thing to do is to play them as a central pair with the freedom to exploit any spaces that appear, focus on developing that relationship. Push the wingbacks up to help out, leaving 2CBs and Hayden to cover. Jobs an adequate one.

 

 

This would be better for Wilson

[KaKa]

Switch Shelvey and Hayden so his defensive work can help down that left side, if we play that way.

[mighty__mag]

Switch Shelvey and Hayden so his defensive work can help down that left side, if we play that way.

 

Yeah, or switch StMax and Fraser

[mrmojorisin75]

As long as Shelves is available he's playing, better get used to it.

[Yorkie]

Fraser looks all left foot to me. Don't see any sense in putting him on the right.

[joeyt]

Well he's right footed

[Alberto2005]

 

Tbh I think Fraser looks better from the left. I think ASM probably does too but he also looked quite good on the right.

[KaKa]

Fraser looks all left foot to me. Don't see any sense in putting him on the right.

 

[Yorkie]

Well I've had a mare there, like. Thought he was a leftie and felt that view corroborated by one particularly shite right footed cross v Brighton.

[La Parka]

Maybe your stream was mirrored

[Infinitely Content]

I personally think centre midfield is our weakest area, we have 4 or 5 players there but I don't feel any of them are truly good enough.

 

: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.

 

Yes, I think if we're to progress as a club, we're not going to do it with Shelvey & Hayden in the centre of the pitch (and they're the best we currently have). If we are to truly see the best out of the attractive names in the squad such as Wilson, Almiron & Saint-Maximin and also give Joelinton a genuine go at displaying the talent he obviously has, then we need upgrades there. Hayden & Shelvey both sit far too deep and their games are too restricted to one or two good attributes. The pair of them should be no more than squad players.

 

We have some good footballers for once, proper footballers, and we need to support them from deep and not just knock it long to them, and the key to that is a more creative, energetic and ultimately more competent midfield.