joey_big_nose

Yes id say its both things. Tronstad is so good at the base of the midfield. No one else we have has shown they have the ability to anticipate the right place to be and strong enough in the tackle defensively, and technically good enough to retain the ball and pick the right passes. I think Tavares was signed to play this sort of role but he is so casual on the ball and unaware off it. Can totally see why Ismael doesn't trust him. We will need to play TGH or Montgomery there but they are more box to box and not really suited imo. Big loss.

Really hope Tronstad is fit because without him it is a massive downgrade. I quite like TGH but he's a Travis type box to box player, not someone who can control the game like Sonny... Thinking about it if Tronstad is out I would be tempted to play TGH and Forshaw together as they would suit each other. Montgomery and TGH both won't have that discipline and technical to sit in front of the defence imo and distribute the ball.

In 442 I'd probably say the best setup would have been to have picked Carrick and Gerrard together in the centre as they would have complemented each other well (Gerrards engine and tackling ability getting him in), Beckham on the right and Joe Cole on the left (the least squarish of the pegs as he could carry the ball out wide and played there somewhat for Chelsea). And then put Lampard and Scholes on the bench. Which is completely mental, but you have to pick the right balance for the team. Anyway, bottom line is we had too many similar players, and as a result we were substantially worse as a team than those individuals on paper would suggest.

Yeah and they would be playing off Drogba who would suit having them as two number 10s off him. Rooney would want to drop off and play the same game in the same areas as Lampard and Gerrard

D'oh...! Robinson Terry. Ferdinand. King Beckham. Scholes A Cole Lampard. Gerrard Rooney. Owen. Still super awkward with Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard all getting in each others way... And kind of assumes Scholes would nail the deeper role much earlier than he did in reality. Thats why today the likes of Rashford, Gordon, Madueke are so important as they look to stretch the play. Yeah maybe, but unless they played at club level enough together to figure it out I don't think it works. Not enough game time to figure it out at international level. God knows we tried over 8 years.

Lampard better than Scholes and Gerrard is a view you dont hear often! I guess using recent ways of playing I would try and handle the lack of decent wingers/wide forwards and way too many central attacking midfielders by playing wing backs. Still think the squad was not well balanced though, and not destined to win trophies because of that. I am a bit surprised we never tried 343 with Beckham as a wing back (to my recollection ).as I think it would have suited his industry and quality of crossing Robinson Terry. Ferdinand. King Beckham. Scholes A Cole Lampard. Gerrard Rooney

I really had a problem with Morishita first half - so powder puff, but have to say he really fought his way back in and got better and better. Respect.

Honestly think the 352 is such a good system for him. Hes at his best covering ground and it suits him. I expect him to have a good full season in this setup.

Not convinced by Kargbo but I think a quick forward in his style could work in this 352 up front. As you see with Ohashi alot of the forward play is about running the channels and combining with the wide players.

So whats the deal with Pratt? If he could come in and do a great job in a highly competitive first team derby are there others? I couldn't really see why he would struggle at this level. Powerful, decent on the ball, not quick but okay pace wise. PNE are a big strong direct team and he was really comfortable. How come he wasn't on the bench before? Just strikes me as really strange you can go from Chorley to that in a few weeks. Beginners luck maybe?

I will, just first impressions!

Hes one of our top 5 reliable players. Moving him on is like moving on Hyam. Gets a lot of shit, but when hes gone suddenly seems not such a great idea. He was brilliant today. Totally dependable in shoring up the left side and driving the ball up the pitch.

Phenomenal win and we looked really good value for it. Well done everyone!

Baradji looks a unit but seems to have gone to the Tavares school of lazy possession...

Hedges gets so much shit but every time he gets the ball he makes 20 yards, has beaten his man more than Alebiouso (also good today), and his recovery pace has shored up the defence.

Its so strange Pratt cant get a game for a professional team on loan but looks absolutely fine at this level. Whats going on there?

Personally think this isnt right. Defence has been pretty good for me the goal excepting.

This referee is obviously a fan of 1970s football... Mental.

Yeah, if he had a bit of physicality i think he would be useful. Mori should give Dolan a call and get his gym routine.

Ohashi is really competitive. Hes got nothing to work with though. Were very reliant on him, Tronstad, Hedges and Alebiouso carrying everyone else. Dont think Gudjonsen, Mori, Montgomery have been able to do anything really. They just get closed down and then fall over/pass backwards.

Well Tronstad has been fantastic but the other two really struggled.

We work so hard for a goal then give it away for nothing...

Hes a good technical player if you dont get tight to him and let him combine with others. But he is one of the weakest one on one players ive seen. Needs to get down the gym. TBH Gudjonsen has a similar problem. Cant get any change out a duel in the air or on the ground.

Tronstad is playing so well, but getting so little from Montgomery and Mori. Definitely want to see what Baradji offers.

Seems we have the good version of Pears. Great save. Looking at the pattern of the game its very even in the middle of the park, but PNE have much more promising chances.