lcfc_forever

Also means it’s unlikely BBM takes over if Ruud leaves given the issues outlined. What a shambles. We need to change it now, can’t imagine the difference between letting Ruud go now instead of the summer is significant, unless they’re waiting for the next PSR reporting year.

And yet RVN still picked Vestergaard vs West Ham, what signal does that send the players? The whole thing is a joke.

Fair point, but that was one defeat with caretakers and limited time to train a new formation. RVN has tried 4-2-3-1 and lost 11 out of 12.

Agree on 3 atb but would go slightly different in the attacking positions. Also, I don't want Faes anywhere near this team GK Mads RWB Coulibaly CB Okoli CB Coady CB Justin LWB Kristiansen CM Ndidi CM Ricardo AMC Bilal AMC Facu ST Daka (with Vardy as the impact sub) Alternatively, swap Bilal with Ricardo, and play Mavididi and Facu behind the striker - Mavidid looked good in the friendlies as a no.10.

I wouldn't mind seeing Coady is a back 3 - he was decent there for Wolves and Everton. But yeah, it's the same issue if you play with a back four and don't surround Coady or Vestergaard with pace.

Pace and physicality are now crucial assets to being successful in the modern PL. He has neither, should never start for the club at this level. The 3-year extension was something Enzo wanted, shows why we're in this mess as we give managers too much power.

I think Benitez would be more open to just taking the role to the end of the season this time compared to when we previously approached him as his stock is lower. If he keeps us up, amazing and he gets a new contract. This is horrible at the moment, and our choices are limited.

Agree. Separately, don't get why so many fans were unhappy with the thought of Moyes in the first place, even though he wouldn't come. We needed to stabilise, and if that meant pragmatism in the short-term, then we had to do it. If that pisses off the likes of Winks, then get them out.

Someone needs to pin this - Moyes was holding out for Everton and didn't want to join, Collomosse from the Daily Mail suggsted we approached him.

He just won't change it, he's far too stubborn. The team is better suited to a 3-5-2 given our defensive issues, it's clear to see. Get rid of Faes and Vestergaard (Justin, Coady and Okoli instead as the 3 CBs), and play individuals who care for the club.

Funnily enough that was our attacking midfield vs. West Ham and that worked out pretty well! That's clearly the best combination if he wants to stick with 4-2-3-1 - I'd rather go 3-5-2 but if he going to be play his preferred formation, go with the best players for those positions. Oh yeah, drop Faes as well like he did for that match too!

Guess it depends on how bad the impact from relegation will be, including a transfer embargo. If it is as bad as an embargo, then you'd have expected the club to have acted by now and brought in a new manager as they can't afford to go down. But if we don't expect an embargo and can use relegation to offload our higher earners while bringing through youth, then makes sense to wait and rebuild the club with a longer-term appointee. Given the lack of proactivity from the board, wouldn't surprise me if it was the nightmare scenario of lack of action to keep us up while knowing we're going to get hammered by the EFL next season.

Yeah, it was reported we were interested in Rohl but PSR meant we couldn’t buy him out of his current club. Wouldn’t be surprised if we went for him when/if finances allow.

Collomosse from the Daily Mail said we approached Moyes and he didn't want it.

This is really good from Dominic Wells, apologies if it has been posted before: Confirms what a lot of us are saying about the front 3 - he highlights the lack of pressing from the forwards. FYI @StriderHiryu

Thanks for the detailed response! Agree with you, and Bilal puts a shift in as well so can provide cover on the left while allowing Facu to roam. His link up with Vardy was key at the start of the season, would be great to rekindle that.

@StriderHiryu I saw your class analysis on BTG yesterday. I know Ayew gets pelters but we conceded both goals after he came off. I don't think it was just coincidence, Mavididi simply just doesn't cover Kristiansen enough which I think is why he isn't starting. We conceded vs Fulham similarly where Kristiansen was too central, and there was no cover from the winger. What do you think? I think this is RVD's dilemma - to stick or twist with a more attacking shape that leaves us vulnerable. Maybe Riccy P can do both and give us more security on the right, while keeping Ayew on the left? Who would you favour on the left? Fatawu's defensive game was underrated, we miss him so much.

Ricardo is back in 1st team training! Sounds like Justin’s injury isn’t too bad.

He asked for Ayew and Skipp for sure, and it was reported he wanted PL experience. Not clear if Reid was a Cooper demand. Glover's recruitment in Summer 2024 was pretty good, most of those signings made a positive contribution. From what I remember, Enzo pushed for Winks and Doyle, which are arguably the worst signings (along with Jannik's 3-year contract). Highlights the problem with the club - too much power given to managers, and we keep chopping and changing instead of having a competent Director of Football who sets the longer-term recruitment strategy.

I appreciate Ruud was given a crap hand, and got worse after he couldn't buy or loan more players in. But we can't afford to have both our two loan players not starting. Something has to change, whether it's formation, personnel or manager. I'd rather it was one of the first two but if he keeps on insisting playing his current formation, expect the same outcome. He could move to 3-4-2-1 given our lack of pacy, creative wingers, or take a risk on one of the youngsters if he wants to stick with the same formation. We switched to 3-5-2 in our great escape season, and the rest is history. He plays that formation when we're chasing the game so why not start with it?

Collomosse suggested we were in for him to replace Cooper (despite the club's denials) but sounded like he wanted to wait for the Everton job.

Short-term contract, opportunity to play in the PL - requires some different thinking from the club but doesn't appear to be capable of it.

Rafinha, the former PSG and Barcelona midfielder, is available on a free.

Similar to what @FoxesWalk said, and it's pretty obvious him and Facu have had a falling out. I still think the bit about Coady fully wanting to leave is not true - from reports, the club turned down the Wolves bid very quickly and he'd have to be very stupid to relayed that he wanted the move. For me, it's clear that Wolves are trying to unsettle us as a rival club so find it funny how some of our fans are falling for it.

Don't think he was, and that QPR performance was disgusting.