Maresca ball against top teams (no jinxing allowed)

[moseeds]

Perhaps being a bit pre-emptive here but a nagging thought nevertheless as May will be here very soon.

 

After watching Arsenal last night and a few Burnley games, Pep's disciples have faltered a little. Teams have definitely sussed out Burnley's weaknesses, and Arsenal's lack of creativity has been exposed twice in 2 games. The Premier League is unforgiving as we discovered last year.

 

We've played very well so far - there have been slip ups of course - but generally many shortcomings are just not exposed at the second tier. If we did manage to get promoted, what would need to change in our current patterns of play and which positions would 'require strategic tactical improvement'?

 

 

[Brainy]

We'll sign better players in the summer who can play it better, simple as. 

 

Looking forward to pundits criticising us for playing it out from the back though, as though only the big six are allowed 

[Aus Fox]

Not even worth thinking about yet! I would back Enzo and the club to have a plan. But objective one is still promotion. 

[coolhandfox]

I don't get the Burnley comprasions, Kompany was never a coach under Pep.

 

Yes he was a player, but it not the same as being a key component of the coaching set up.

 

Enzo was not only a coach but assistant manager.

 

[Tielemans63]

I have every confidence that Enzo is smart enough adapt if and when we make it to the Premier League. For now, his objective was to steady the ship and be in the promotion picture and what he's doing is working brilliantly.

[phoneticerror]

1 hour ago, Aus Fox said:

Not even worth thinking about yet! I would back Enzo and the club to have a plan. But objective one is still promotion. 

After last season I don’t have much faith in ‘the club’ having a plan for anything. But Enzo deserves trust, and as somebody else has said, we’ll bring in better players over the next 2 transfer windows. That will be the difference.

[whoareyaaa]

1 hour ago, Stinkenzo said:

We'll sign better players in the summer who can play it better, simple as. 

 

Looking forward to pundits criticising us for playing it out from the back though, as though only the big six are allowed 

We only need 3 or 4 quality additions, we already have a team of players capable playing in that league, I think we will see 5 signings at most.

Edited 1 January 2024 by whoareyaaa

[volpeazzurro]

Enzo's system is like any other system in football, it only works if you've got the players in your squad capable of playing them.

Burnley haven't. We didn't under Sousa all those years ago. 

 

Enzo's style relies on players being comfortable enough on the ball to be able to play out from the back. We have some of those already. It also relies on a particular type of striker and currently on the surface, Vardy and Iheanacho don't fit that mould. Daka's all round game appears to suit better and we're yet to evaluate Cannon properly. 

 

If we go up I'm sure certain things will be addressed and Enzo looks capable of doing it. He's streets ahead of managers like Rodgers. 

Edited 1 January 2024 by volpeazzurro

[adejo92]

Think we'll become significantly unstuck next season but not letting that ruin the enjoyment of this season.

[bmt]

We will finish top 4 next season. HMS piss the premier league 

[ftfagos]

May will not be here any sooner than it usually is, in fact this year it’s arrival will be somewhat later because it is a leap year.

[volpeazzurro]

4 minutes ago, adejo92 said:

Think we'll become significantly unstuck next season but not letting that ruin the enjoyment of this season.

We'll buy and improve and there are some teams in the Premiership this season that aren't very impressive to me. I would give us a reasonable chance for survival but as a fanbase we'd just have to accept before we even started, we will lose a lot of games and not press the panic button too quickly and get on the manager and players backs.

[HighPeakFox]

16 minutes ago, volpeazzurro said:

Enzo's system is like any other system in football, it only works if you've got the players in your squad capable of playing them.

Burnley haven't. We didn't under Sousa all those years ago. 

 

Enzo's style relies on players being comfortable enough on the ball to be able to play out from the back. We have some of those already. It also relies on a particular type of striker and currently on the surface, Vardy and Iheanacho don't fit that mould. Daka's all round game appears to suit better and we're yet to evaluate Cannon properly. 

 

If we go up I'm sure certain things will be addressed and Enzo looks capable of doing it. He's streets ahead of managers like Rodgers. 

 

8 minutes ago, volpeazzurro said:

We'll buy and improve and there are some teams in the Premiership this season that aren't very impressive to me. I would give us a reasonable chance for survival but as a fanbase we'd just have to accept before we even started, we will lose a lot of games and not press the panic button too quickly and get on the manager and players backs.

Going to have to put you on Ignore fella - all far too reasonable and thought out  

[Noahfence]

On Burnley their transfer window looks to have been quite a disaster. Also seems like a few of their more key players from last season aren’t featuring now? Benson has completely disappeared. Trafford from what I’ve read has been awful. I’d back us hopefully to be a bit smarter in the transfer window. Burnley signed loads of unproven players from weak leagues ( I realise this isn’t always a bad thing as there are gems out there) 

Edited 1 January 2024 by Noahfence

[LinekersLugs]

3 minutes ago, Noahfence said:

On Burnley their transfer window looks to have been quite a disaster. Also seems like a few of their more key players from last season aren’t featuring now? Benson has completely disappeared. Trafford from what I’ve read has been awful. I’d back us hopefully to be a bit smarter in the transfer window. Burnley signed loads of unproven players from weak leagues ( I realise this isn’t always a bad thing as there are gems out there) 

We literally won the league doing that 🤦‍♂️

[jonthefox]

Luckily we have owners who learn from past mistakes. I’ll think they’ll invest heavily . But like others have mentioned, promotion first.

[Noahfence]

16 minutes ago, LinekersLugs said:

We literally won the league doing that 🤦‍♂️

I know and you’re completely right but look at who they signed. There has to be a right mix.