joey_big_nose

We've lost this game because of a maybe 10 mins of bad defending. Realy confused why if we were sticking with the formation why we put Pratt on the bench?

Hmm... Actually looking at Baradji maybe hes got the engine for RWB? Definitely don't think Mori can do it

Yeah its a big problem... When Albiousu goes to ACN I really dont know what we do.

McLoughlin does have a real issue with heading the ball up rather than out. Been three in this game.

Kind of feel like if Pratt was playing we wouldnt have conceded two...

Yeah, after i wrote that saw a bit more of the back line and it does seem we are 352. Really confused why we have dropped Pratt who has done nothing wrong.

Great shout that... Hadnt really thought about it but guess they are similar forward runner types. But Ohashi is so much more effective. Gallagher was just a big unit, whereas ohashi carries the ball well and has a bit of skill. And surprisingly strong and physically competitive for his size, while Gallagher was the inverse...

Ohashis been one of our best players all season. Not the best finisher (except just now- brilliant!) but off the ball he is absolutely sensational. How people dont rate him I just dont understand.

How can we have 2 yellows and pompey have 0?

The rovers commentators seem to think were still playing three at the back but im pretty sure we've changed it?

Good pass by Tavares there, but phenomenal from Ohashi.

Real whack on Pears. Hope hes okay - has been good since back in. Our midfield is basically Tavares on his own... Feels a very bold way to setup.

Yeah seems to have complete dropped off now....

How have you got it to work?

I think we must have switched to a back 4 as otherwise I can't see the sense in dropping Pratt.

I think it's 433...? Very attacking lineup Pears Alebiousu Miller McLoughlin Riberio Morishita Taveres Cantwell Ohashi Gudjohnson De Neve In terms of what we have available I am okay with it... except Taveres. Why would we get the biggest defensive liability we have and plop him in front of the defence effectively on his own? Ismael must have seen something from him to decide to give it a go.

If he doesn't sign another contract in the EFL where he can easily get 15k a week, and instead chooses to earn a quarter of that in Norway hats off to him. But im fully expecting him to sign a pre contract with Derby, Watford, QPR, Middleborough in feb. The family thing I am sure is right but no one walks away from a million quid extra on a two year contract. We really are absolute specialists in giving our best players away for free. Must be the best the division has ever seen?

Well tbh its what you expect at a world cup to have to play at least 3 top teams. England have been very fortunate in recent tournament draws. Great opportunity to improve our appalling record at major tournaments against the top 10 or so sides. Think if you go back 30 years we've managed to beat those sides 5 times (Spain & Netherlands in 96, Germany 2000, Germany in 2021, Netherlands in 2024) In that time we have managed to lose to the top sides 10 times (Germany x2, Argentina, Brazil, Italyx2, Spain, Portugal x3)

At some point surely there will be a movement to leave FIFA. Its ludicrously corrupt.

I am a bit confused who is actually available on this one? I would really consider going four at the back as I think without Hedges on the left 352 to doesn't really work. And that's going to get even more difficult when Alebiousu goes away.... And we can give one of the strikers a bit of rest. A thought that has occured to me is if we should go 433? Might suit us a bit better than 4231. Pears Alebiousu Miller McCloughlin Riberio TGH Tronstad Cantwell Morishita Ohashi De Neve Subs : Michalski, Pratt, Pickering, Baradji, Henricksson, Tavers, Gudjohnsen, Gueye, Tyjon?

Tavares seems to me to want to be the sort of player Nzonzi was. Technically good, deeper midfielder, who picks the ball off the defence and picks passes. But as others have said that really relies on being very aware of where players are around you, have really good ball control on the turn to find space, find the right pass and off the ball be physically competitive, and close down the danger. On all those he isn't anywhere near it. What I find absolutely unacceptable about him (as does Ismael obviously in leaving him out of squads) is he doesn't seem to even try and do the basics well (i.e. cover ground, be aware, get a tackle in). I have seen a tiny improvement from him in the last couple of games.... but the issue is even when he tries a bit he is so far behind play. It would be a really remarkable thing if he can get up to speed.

Yeah he was covering a lot of ground today, like the look of him.

First time we have actually managed to build some pressure up after going behind in a long long time. We're playing something like 4132, very attacking. Against a better side than Oxford Id really worry in midfield but they're not really competitive.

So confused why that wasn't a red... @arbitrowhere art thou?

If I was Wharton I'd look abroad. The top clubs in England are chaotic at the moment and have huge squads. It's hard to be that sure you will get consistent games. Man Utd - really poor team, and have ruined and are ruining so many good young players you would have to be mad to go Man City - very stifling tactical setup, massive squad, what happens when Rodri is fit? Like Utd have track record of taking on young players and marginalising them Chelsea - truly massive squad, vast turnover, got a lot of centre mids. Liverpool - maybe best bet - but do they have any money after spending so huge in the summer? Arsenal - Could work but not sure they are looking to spend at the moment? Munich, Real, Barca all good shouts I would say.