Wow - who would have predicted this after Puels appointment? 4 wins on the trot and looking back to our best, Puel is getting the kind of performances from these players we didn't think was possible after Kante left.
What's really impressing me is how good we have become with the ball, both keeping hold of it and using it to xut opponents open. Remember under Shakey when Morgan who hoof it up to Vardy because we had absolutely no plan B.
Our title winning tactics had become outdated and even Maguire said last night that under Shakey they were struggling to score goals. Puel has found a way to utilise the squad really well and get them keeping hold of the football and using it far more effectively. Look at what's happened to both Mahrez and Gray since he joined
Interestingly there are still some fans who remain unconvinced. TBs knives were being sharpened last night, questioning the logic behind rotation, they are back in the drawer for now. The bad patch will come though. Maybe against palace who are battling right now. When it does it's important not to leap on Puels back and start blaming him and calling him tactically useless as we have a tendency to do on here
Allez Le Blues
posted on 14/12/17
thought puel was unfairly dismissed after finishing 8th and cup final with saints.
glad to see you stuff them and score 4 in their back yard last night.
great work!
posted on 14/12/17
My Thursday agreement with BS. saw the team last night thought i hope that works.
The revolution continues playing Ben i an attacking role. who would of seen that with King scoring.
The most passes attempted since 2005 according to Optima this season. We have got momentum.
Kaspers great save does not wipe out the nervousness that means another goal conceded in our six yard box.
Roy will be wondering who will start on Saturday. One thing for sure we have a manager like CR who motivates his player to excel.
posted on 14/12/17
It’s certainly a very promising start regarding results BS, and long may it continue.
Puel has certainly found a way of getting a previously rigid squad to have a plan B, and judging by last night a plan C, D, E, F and Z!
But I’m not as convinced as you yet. Yes it’s a very promising start, but we’ve also looked defensively frail during this period, and in some games a bit lacking in the final 3rd. Whilst we’ve been getting results, some games like the Stoke match could have swung.
So I’m not getting carried away, but what I really like about Puel is that he seems to be bringing a tactical element to our game that is stepping us on. Like Ranieri did with Shakey, Puel seems to be doing with appleton.
Looks like that continental tactician and Home grown coach approach is working again 👍
posted on 14/12/17
8 - Position in table
7 - Goals scored
6 - Points won
5 - Points off CL spot
4 - Places off CL spot
3 - Goals conceded
2 - Away wins
1- and a Partridge in a pear tree.
Nothing to worry about Ferry Boy the last third we now have four options for scoring rather than one and they are all scoring even King.
posted on 14/12/17
Completely agree BS. I really like what Puel is doing with the squad. He's obviously encouraging them to play more possession football whilst giving them the freedom to attack at pace when the opportunity arises. And tactically and selection wise he is keeping us all on our toes - but not the players, who seem to understand what he is trying to do and are carrying out his instructions.
What I particularly like is his stated intention to work with players individually and make them better. It seems his coaching and advice on a personal level is helping the team as a whole.
Early days but very encouraging. He also said last night we are a work in progress and there is much improvement still required. So no complacency.
It won't be easy on Saturday, but let's hope we can storm the Palace live on TV.
posted on 14/12/17
Agree, the football and tactics used by the current manager and Shakespeare is night and day.
The football is a joy to watch and last night's performance was one of the best since our famous season. Long may it continue, we can only get better.
I wonder if Saints fans would have Puel back over Pellegrino, who I have to say looks clueless.
posted on 14/12/17
Its looking great inder Puel
I was very critical, when it was rumoured that he would be getting the job. Im happy to say how wrong it looks like I was.
Watched yesterdays highlights on MOTD and on sky today. We looked awasome every time we attacked and could easily have been 5 or 6 up at half time.
Even Garry Birtles said we were brilliant ( not bad from a Forest legend) but did add that Saints lookes awful at the back. Saints build their team on a strong defence, its scoring that they struggle with. Yet they just couldnt cope with the pace of Riyhad, Vardy and Shinji, not to mention Wilf and Harry Mac. and they didnt even face Gray.
Palace wont be easy, they are on a good run themselves but we dont know who Claude will pick so Palace wont. Who plays upfront, Shinji or Gray ( or both) will Allbrighton pay, where does Chillwell play, will Iborra play.
Viva les bleus, Allez Claude
posted on 14/12/17
I share your concerns on the defence Mersey but to be fair it was pretty hopeless under Shakespeare as well. In fact it's been hapless since our title win, certainly where set pieces are concerned.
It's a problem Puel won't solve quickly
posted on 14/12/17
I remain unconvinced, but simply because I tend to rally against the short-termism of football fans. You can guarantee that if we’d not been on a winning run there would be some already calling for him to be sacked, but at the moment he’s the next messiah.
I used to have a rule that I’d judge a football manager after a year. By that time he’d have had time to establish his own ethos and approach and brought in the players he wanted. Managers these days often don’t even get that long.
There was a suspicion that Shakespeare was just implementing what had worked before and didn’t have the knowledge and experience to evolve a team. Already Puel looks like a man with a plan. His team selections are bold and he’s integrating the young talent we have. The start couldn’t have been much better - but it is just a start.
I’ve said before that he looks like a long term manager who could change the club, in a positive way, right the way through. Already the U23 and U21 squads will see a route through to the first team. So I hope he continues to get the results he needs to be able to truly implement his vision.