pmcla26

8 more games is a big difference maker

One non negotiable that I’m sick to death of with our last 3 managers is the playing wingers that can’t run. The only 3 options that should be available for the wide areas in this squad are Mavididi, Fatawu and Monga. If he names Ayew on the wing again on Saturday over Mavididi or Monga then he’s 100% done here.

I personally thought it was our worst performance that I've seen this season (not watched 90 mins of every game). 2 shots on target, 3 corners, 74% pass completion and 38% possession at home against any side in this league is not good enough.

He comes across well in what he says, but uninspiring. I couldn't imagine him being much of a motivator, especially not for this already clearly very unmotivated group.

He has pace and can carry the ball at speed, something none of our other strikers offer. At least even when he's playing poorly he still causes the opposition problems and will be in the game. Carranza and Daka are never in it and Ayew gets too involved in it.

Probably a physicality/age thing. I think we're at the point where starting line-ups need to include as much pace and power as possible because it's evident that the players with "quality" aren't turning up right now. I'd give Silko Thomas a run out in that regard to see what he can do from the off.

He's not being forced to not pick Nelson, or give Evans/Aluko a chance. Not saying they solve our problems but would be a good idea just to give it a go for fans to see what the alternative is to the current shit.

Stolarczyk Ricardo Okoli Nelson Aluko James Skipp S. Thomas Monga Fatawu Mavididi

He has to go now for me. The players are crap but he’s still picking the wrong ones.

Probably the best 11 we can name at the minute, just obvious weaknesses in it.

No, we faced a low block most of the time because teams knew that if they tried to press us high they would get ripped to shreds, as Southampton found out twice in 23/24. We also had the quality at the back to be able to play through a high press, so teams would sit off.

No, with Enzo his tactics were pretty much the most effective way to play. We faced a low block near enough every game and his set up allowed us to break it down by getting the full backs left 1 vs 1 with wingers due to the overloads we would create through the centre. It was pretty obvious we would have to adapt upon promotion when teams wouldn't show us as much respect.

It’s not so much about which style of play we use for me, it’s about having a squad that’s built with an idea to carry one out. Our team is neither here nor there, such a mismatch of players. Every team needs a striker, too.

What? Mourinho's teams are infamous for being the anti-tiki taka.

Honestly such is the nature of the Championship I can easily see us win our next 2 and then everyone talking about promotion again. A few good/bad results can quickly change everything in this league.

He’s 24 and played less than 50 professional games. He’ll only get better.

I don’t know if the games just easy using Leicester or whether I’ve accidentally broke it with my first tactic. Done a clean slate tactic messing around for my first one, high press, short passing/possession based system with high intensity. Out of possession it’s a 442, in possession it’s a 4141 (one number 10 jumps to striker the other moves back to CM). The in possession shape changes with roles to a 3241 (Thomas IFB and Ricardo IWB). Basically nearly gone the whole first half of the season winning every game, only drew a few.

What in and out of possession combinations have people used so far? And what’s been effective?

The lack of any presence up top and physicality in the back line is killing us

Really think Okoli needs to start for this reason

Think it’s just that he’s 3rd choice in the 10. Ramsey and Reid are just more senior pros that are ahead of him, no shame there.

They’ve also bought several players like Carmo, Bowler and Stamenic in recent years who they’ve then loaned to Olympiakos - I’m not sure how much impact these smaller transfer fees will have on them but surely it contributes further.

What’s the solution if we don’t invert them to create overloads? All of our goal scoring threat is coming from midfield, someone has to cover the space Ramsey and James vacate when they attack the box.

Kristiansen has to start if that's the case. He's the only full back with the athleticism to get on the outside at pace.

Stolarczyk Hamza Okoli Vestergaard Faes Winks James Fatawu Ramsey Mavididi Daka In possession Hamza steps alongside Winks, James steps forward alongside Ramsey. 3-2-4-1.