kingfox

Brilliant as always Strider, thanks for that. Of course he had Gakpo for the first half of the season, looking at Simons role in that period it often changed between a RW, 8/10 and even a false 9. Don’t expect the likes of Buonanotte or El Khannouss to be used as a false 9, but thoroughly expect them to be used in a way like Simons was in the second half of PSV’s season. Also thanks for breaking down how Phillipp Max and Cody Gakpo were used in the first half of the season, good to see he is willing to be flexible with his full-backs. If he goes similar as he did at PSV, it’s going to be interesting to see how he operates Justin and Kristiansen. He might have to flip it around by using the LB as the inverted CB instead of the RB, with the RB bombing forward instead of the LB, then allowing either Buonanotte or El Khannouss to be used as a RW who drifts in as a 10. This would also be beneficial to Mavididi who can operate like Bakayoko did in the second half of PSV’s 22/23 season.

From a formation perspective, this is what he played throughout the 22/23 Eredivisie season. Hopefully @Bluearmyfox28 or @StriderHiryu can add a bit more insight, but my main takeaways from the personnel he used, I’m guessing… Mwene or Teze were used as a RB who’d drop into a back three when in possession. Van Aanholt was used as an attacking LB. Guus Till was often used as an 8/10. Bakayoko or El Ghazi were used as the wingers to provide width. Simons was used as a LW who had the capabilities of drifting in field as a 10.

By far one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie, especially for ball playing ability.

Very much like the Maresca appointment it’s a massive gamble, feel 50% apprehensive and 50% excited. But I’ve loved the Dutch National team since I was a kid, having a Dutch legend like Van Nistelrooy in the dugout is just way cooler than having Cooper. Hopefully we sign some Dutch talents in January, but fingers crossed they don’t turn into another Michael Lamey and Sergio Hellings.

Shame I gave my 06-08 Netherlands shirt with Van Nistelrooy on the back to a charity shop

I know Chakvetadze and Baah have often got the plaudits this season, but most times I’ve seen Pollock this season he’s been no nonsense and solid, can see him being Watford captain in 2-3 season’s time. Was a very flat first half last night, but once Andrews scored, I thought you looked better and more solid. Losing you’re unbeaten home record to QPR would be almost as bad as seeing Andre Gray score twice against you

You’ve got a good one in Mattie Pollock @Super_horns Proper defender.

Ruud seems like the type of guy who’d tell Wout Faes that he’s shit to his face. Gerrimin!

Bit of an unbalanced draw, most of the in form seeds are all in the top half. Third quarter is wide open, fourth quarter I expect Anderson to come through that if some of his recent performances continue.

If reports are true about the players not taking to Cooper’s style, then we need someone with a similar philosophy to Enzo. Not surprised that Carrick’s odds have shortened, some of Middlesbrough’s possession statistics this season are some of the best in the Championship.

Thought that was Lisowski’s best performance of ‘match play’ Snooker since the 2022 World Championship when he beat Robertson then narrowly lost to Higgins.

He fielded the oldest starting 11 in the Premier League last season, while also having the second oldest squad in the league. The type of guy who’d start Ayew and BDCR together.

Looking forward to the squad setting fire to an effigy of Graham Potter’s face stuck to Harry Potter’s body when they get him the sack.

Head says Potter or RVN(Just because he beat us twice). Roger Schmidt would be my outside pick, we were supposedly interested in him a few years back. Or just go for Italian vibes again with Mancini or Sarri.

Fair play to the board for pulling the trigger early on this one, what we didn’t want was another Rodgers situation. Was hoping Cooper would delve into his history of developing youth, unfortunately we didn’t see any of that, put that together with plenty of dire performances, the sack was the only option. Think the next manager needs to be a good organiser, the defence is the key component that needs fixing.

Went to the qualifiers in Leicester on Tuesday, started with Hawkins then dipped into O’Connor’s match against Holt. Stayed for the afternoon, watched Xintong vs Saengkham and luckily Gilbert was on the next table… As for York, some tasty R1 matches incoming…

Haven’t felt this disengaged with Leicester City in a long while. Going into this season even when Maresca was still in charge, I really didn’t expect much. This season was never going to be pretty, I’d happily take 17th and I felt that way before the season started. What has evolved this season though, from top to bottom has felt so uninspiring. This manager and the majority of our squad make me feel nothing, we just reek of Championship standard, with strong vibes of our 2001/2002 and 2003/2004 seasons. We went for the cheap uninspiring option as manager, while we’ve also accumulated a squad full of unlikeable players, who I can’t wait to see the back of. I’m just praying for a manager and a set of players that make me feel excited again, unfortunately right now, this club feels very meh.

Time to bring Timmy Castagne back in on loan. #PremierLeagueExperience

Yep, I can just about count on one hand how many players I’d happily keep. The majority of this squad make me feel nothing.

An unlikeable manager with a squad full of unlikeable players. Once upon a time we had a defence of Simpson - Morgan - Huth - Fuchs. Now we have to watch Justin - Faes - Vestergaard/Okoli - Kristiansen. How depressing.

I only like three players from that lineup and one of them is only on loan

Even though we’ll sign Matt Targett, Clement Bischoff continues to deliver for Brondby…

3-0 loss, George Hirst hat-trick.