With 5 substitutes, we run SG out there for 5 min the pull him off

Would like to see Downing replace him. Has the class that we miss from Holtbe

Started when he hit/sniffed top 6. Like a broken record. Get near the top six and go on to lose 6 of 10 while only picking up 6 points

Apart from the the times we’re shipping goals and opportunities to the opposition, our defense is tits. ?

I said this after the last match. 4-3-3, or 4-2-3-1 it’s all the same really. It’s just the direction from the gaffer on players selected, player roles and expectations. Against the top sides we can’t select the same teams with the same directives as the bottom feeders. It’s abundantly clear our back 4 don’t have the quality required to boss the Watfords and Readings of the league. In both matches our center half’s needed cover, both in front of them and out wide.

Anyone want to admit the pressing 4-3-3 line up is leaving out center half’s exposed. Maybe with Travis back we could play this way but Johnson and Evans don’t provide enough cover for our outside backs to be so advanced. Add to that our captain certainly isn’t good enough to be left even numbers.

I guess you can put the names on paper however you like but the mid 3 are all fairly central, one has more defensive responsibilities, while the other two more freedom to operate. One more advanced and the other a bit deeper. The wide advanced players also have defensive responsibilities to cover the backs. So 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 it’s really the same.

For me it’s: Nyambe Lenihan Williams Dougless Travis Holtby elliot. Dack. Brereton Arma I think we would be exposed at the back with both JRC and Douglass against stronger sides. Also think Arma has earned the center forward role and Dack will be just fine playing off him. really a good problem to have trying to leave a quality player out vs years past where we couldn’t find a quality player to put in

Agreed, we can be exposed in the counter. It was very apparent vs Watford. Johnson doesn’t have the motor or pace to provide sufficient cover in front of the center half’s when the backs push up. Add to that, the final product from Bell and Naymbe are often times so poor and easily dealt with it’s almost begs for a quick break. That role is best filled by Travis as he will do much better providing cover and breaking up the quick transition.

Decent strike there Ben

He saw an image thought it was a photo of Gallagher playing out wide. He thought maybe if we play Harvey out there everyone will think it's the lad I spent $7 million quid on

Maybe Evans too?

If we’re going to sign a Norwegian left back, might as well be the best one in the country on a free...even if he’s not better than Bell, we need cover at left back anyway.

That player has no ambition or drive and will never amount to anything. Would said player also like a guarantee that no one will be brought in to challenge their spot? You either believe in your own ability and work ethic or you don’t.

If you’re a proper LB, are told you will have to earn your name on the team sheet and know that only Bell is between you and match time, that should not be a deterrent from putting pen to paper. If a player doesn’t think they can beat out Bell, and sees his presence as restricting his chances, do we really want them on the side?

Checked in on the Noblers forum to see what they thought of Dolan. Seem to think he wouldn’t make the bench in their side. The delusion of fans never seems to amaze.

Too many players not out of position for TM to pick that side. Not much hold up play in that front 3 though.

Didn’t we sign the former man city keeper Fran something or other? Good to have our #2 sorted

Both seemed to need a boot up their arse and motivation to compete for their place. Gally in particular might have been too comfortable seeing his name on the sheet every day.

It's hard to second guess the line up as we have no idea who is fit, who trained hard during the lock down and who sat on their ass eating bon bons

Didnt Kun start on the bench for city mid week?

I think you need to reread the comment

Any chance this means matches extend further into summer? Could allow Holtby to recover and be available, no?

A decent manager wouldnt have pissed away 12 million quid on two worthless strikers, rather investing in the areas of need. So yeah a decent manager and the squad, not this squad, would be 3rd

It was all so poor today. Both of the first 2 goals we were defending with only travis behind the ball. Do much space and time for both players 20 yards out. One a screamer, the other good enough to cause a rebound which we were 2nd best like the rest of the pitch. I understand the manager trying to go for it, but playing 3 center strikers, 2 free players with a makeshift back 4 is fucking mental. That white should be reserved for the last 20 min when you need to nick one in. Fucking pathetic