Steve Earle

I couldn’t find the tactics thread? Maybe this is it? Anyway I wondered if others had spotted* the tactical tweaks that have accompanied our mildly impressive three-game run? [* These might be figments of my imagination of course.] Our initial press has improved IMO due to the security offered by the Skipp/JJ axis, which, whatever the merits/demerits of Winks, Soumare & Choudhry, simply works. It’s a beautifully balanced 6/8 combo & long may it continue. The press was particularly effective vs Ipswich, if not as dramatically as theirs on us for their solitary goal. Possibly the other biggest difference I’ve noticed is our RBs playing as orthodox full backs, instead of inverting. Ricardo had his best game for ages on Saturday as an orthodox RB who rarely overlapped (cf the third goal). With Ricky mostly where he should be, & Nelson assured next to Vesty, we look almost solid in defence. Unless, of course, our opponents attack down our left…

I mean, fair play if you can sell Soumare at all, never mind twice...

But Evan’s what?

Character beats ability every time. Well played Skippy. You’re the 6 for the rest of the season. You’ll have good games, you’ll have poor games, but we’ll know you’re giving your best each time

Not sure? But we can rule out Ricardo, Faes, Vestegaard, Thomas, Winks, James, De Cordova Reid & Daka. So he’s in the running!

This. I fully understand the clamour for him to be sacked, but who’d want to work for our owner & DoF, and in the circumstances we face? We really do need new ownership.

That’s a pretty high bar pal!

Best crosser - Steve Guppy Best to cross to - Iwan Roberts Crunching tackle - Ali Mauchlen, obvs Avoid - Faes, no explanation necessary Celebrate - Vardy, the GOAT

Keyser Soze?

Spent some time visiting Planet Melrose back in the day. Wonder how he is nowadays?

not a chance there were 28000 there! I wasn't there but like many ST holders, I've paid so it counts as 'attended'

On the plus side, Nelson was excellent and showed why he should have started the season in the first eleven. He stays in now. Okoli Vestegaard & Ayew were decent.

A vile group of players lead by vile owners and managed by a mediocrity. Who’s surprised?

Nope. Okoli at RB, Ayew at LM

508

In both seasons, the failure to add to the squad in the January window was crucial. Once could be written off as bad luck. Twice? I don’t think so

If we exclude players who are completely crap, detested, on international duty or injured, then something like this: Stolly Ricky Okoli Vestegaard Aluko Winks Choudhury Fatawu James Monga Hutchinson (Evans is unavailable I think?)

I’d rather play Aluko, Choudhury or Ricardo at LB than either of them. Sod it. Add Ayew, Reid & Carranza to that list too!

Vestegaard played well. Ricardo, Okoli, Stolarczyk & Fatawu weren’t shocking. Winks, Soumare, Thomas, James, Ayew, Reid were bang average The rest stank. I mean really stank. Not counting Silko to be fair to him

Good point. And to be fair, no manager worth his salt would ever again inflict Kristiansen, Faes, Thomas, Daka or Soumare on us. Next match the LB has to be Aluko or if not fit Choudhury. I’m sick & tired of watching* players who don’t care barely go through the motions. * I stopped going to matches in January!

It’s the leadership not the manager. Not that he’s entirely convincing. I don’t think Klopp, Slot or Guardiola would do much better with this poor & dislikable squad.

Or he played two international matches…,?

When the club is still full of players who stink the place out & have relegated us twice, what is it with FTers that you want to blame the manager? For me, he & Abdul are the two shining lights in a mediocre early season. IMO

To be fair, it’s too soon to say, but so far he looks miles out of his depth. As did a certain Jamie Vardy once upon a time…

Not that good…