- May 7, 2019
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I thought being a critical friend was the point of this community.Just seems a bit silly really , first season transitioning and we give so much criticism even though we won
I thought being a critical friend was the point of this community.Just seems a bit silly really , first season transitioning and we give so much criticism even though we won
He was supremely confident and effective earlier in this season but he's not back to that kind of performance yet.Gotta disagree. Biss had a good game. It wasn’t an attacking masterclass but his defensive contribution was good,
Keep 'em honest.Even if it's just to create doubt for the oppo CBs. Do it a couple of times early on and they are going to worry about squeezing too hard. Doesn't even have to come off, just signal that it's something we're willing to do.
i would say that's on him then and the players. I can't imagine Klopp and Liverpool's young players using that excuse.
Great post. See Liverpool for example.Right you slags. I keep getting stick for saying this recently, and I'm sure I will again today, but we actually play better football when go a goal down and the main reason for it isn't because of the opposition dropping off (which is a factor, just not the main one), it's because we actually play better fucking footy.
We hadn't actually played as badly as people were saying today, unlike previous weeks the players were trying to do the right things and it just needed everyone to get on a more aggressive wavelength for it all to click. The elbow to Maddison fired everyone up and going a goal down allowed the team to not be scared, shock horror we were soon all over them.
The secret sauce isn't about who is on the wing, or whether it's Bissouma or Bentacur or Sarr or whatever. It's not because WE JUST NEED BOTH OUR FULLBACKS, or this person up front. We've heard just about every combination of technical bollocks explaining why sometimes it doesn't look right for long periods and no explanation actually matches any real pattern. It's not about half presses or teams parking the bus or getting in our faces either.
What makes Ange's system work, the lubricant, the WD40 in the machine, the KY Jelly in errr umm whatever, is playing with an aggressive mindset and intent to fuck the ball in the back of the net instead of faffing around playing chess from the back. It brings confidence and it wrecks the other teams confidence when we play with that mentality.
We're not actually that much more vulnerable taking risks in midfield than we are hopelessly faffing around at the back inviting teams onto us. We look good when the midfielders play on the turn, either one touch or using the first touch to open up space to play forward between the lines. Sure it's risky and say maybe only pays off half the time, but that half the time we actually really look like stinging the other side. They get stung a couple of times and their confidence drops away and we suddenly get control of the game.
Obviously I'm not advocating Vicario lobbing the ball in his own net at the start of the game. Some teams have a killer mindset and some don't though, so it's something you can still alongside the technical aspect of your system.
Great post. See Liverpool for example.
Really hate when people on here start dismissing any criticism as 'bed wetting' or other childish drivel if and when we are able to turn it around.
I'm delighted we've got the win.
I think the players deserve praise for the resilience and Ange's first sub seemed to spark us into life.
All things to be very happy about together with a hugely important 3 points.
Doesn't mean that there aren't some very valid criticisms and concerns after this performance.
We happily take the 3 points today but there is clearly something not quite right even though we now have the majority of our players back.
This is exactly it. We were looking good in the 2nd half. I didn't get to watch the 1st half. Maddison is getting back to his best, Werner looked very good 2nd half, Bissouma looking better today, VDV/Romero imperious, Emerson good too. Positive stuff.The Eze free kick was against the run of play in the second half. We weren't at our free flowing best going forward, but we were much tighter at the back than we have been recently. Can't remember too many clear cut Palace chances throughout the game really.
We went behind but still deserved the win.
As a starter, or as a squad option? Because if you mean the former it's unfair and if you mean the latter, I'd say most of them.To be honest we've been shitting on him for a while now. Which top 6 team or squad would he get into?
As I said Ange trusts Emerson.he's started two games there all season.
Also freedom for people to question it when people do as well? Or is all criticism to be unchallenged?I thought being a critical friend was the point of this community.
I’d be tempted to replace Kulusevski with Lo Celso who looked good when he came on and had a bit of grit to him defensively. Not going to happen though.Against Villa:
Vicario
Porro Romero VdV Udogie
Bissouma
Kulusevski Maddison
Johnson Son Werner
Olise also pleaseDon't let go of Eze, Ange.
If you build a squad where 16+ outfield players are good enough to start then you can constantly rotate players from game to game keeping everyone match fit fresh and involved. That’s what City have done and it’s why they are so strong in the last quarter of the season. It’s not always how much you spend but that you spend it wisely. Despite all the money City have they rarely pay outrageous fees for players.OK agreed but where's he going to play? Is he going to alternate with Maddison? Which I'm fine with but that's Man City kind of spending. We are the 9th richest club in the world but don't seem that keen on massive splashes of cashes.