After 2 consecutive defeats, both of which featured glaring defensive errors, it would seem that we need to re-visit Nuno's original concept of building from the back and get the defense working again.
Firstly, much as I like Saiss, I do not believe that he is as good as Bennett as a centre back and is far better in the position he played last season, ie. defensive midfielder.
Secondly, and this must be obvious to everyone, Adama Traore is not a wing back. His lack of defensive knowledge was plain for all to see yesterday when he wandered about aimlessly whilst his fellow defenders stepped forward to leave Shane Long offside. Traore's naivety gave Long the opportunity for the easiest goal he'll ever score.
When you only have a back 3 it's hard to compensate for one of them having an off day, that's when the wing backs have to really earn their corn. When all 3 centre backs are below par you have a real problem.
What I saw yesterday - correct me if I'm wrong - was a Romain Saiss who looked half asleep, a Willy Boly who defended well (particularly in the air) but lacked his usual composure on the ball and misplaced more than his usual share of passes, and a Connor Coady who lacked his normal commanding presence in the centre and left too many open spaces for the opposition to exploit.
Nuno's playing style has developed into defending solidly and attacking at pace on the counter. Now I accept that counter attacking a team with 10 behind the ball is not really an option but surely one thing that should never change is that we defend solidly?
Back to basics
posted on 14/4/19
Remember back in 1973 we lost to Leeds in an FA Cup semi final having been the better team and deserving to win. Much depression from players and supporters after that one.
The following game we won 4-2 at home to Everton with John Richards getting a hat trick in an exciting game. Nuno must get this team to bounce back in the same way
I’ll leave other people to criticise Saiss yesterday otherwise I’ll only be saying it because I am biased or singling him out. I think defence is his best position but he isn’t suited to being on the right. But he was far from the only player to be below par yesterday as Southampton were regularly getting in behind the wing backs, and making unchallenged runs in midfield and the two strikers never got any supply to work from. Saints did seem more up for it than us and but for Patricio would have scored 2 or 3 more
posted on 14/4/19
Agree with all you say. I will criticise Saiss if he makes mistakes, yesterday he was poor. But as you say on the right at the back he is vulnerable.
I was there in '73.
posted on 15/4/19
Oh thats right, DJ singling out Saiss for a change
In truth i agree with you Gem that Bennett is a better pure defender than Saiss and that comes from playing the position for years as opposed to Saiss who plays the position sporadically.
As for Traore, not much more to say, he has been a flop for 18 million and i don't see how he ever fits in here long term to be honest.
We are now suffering from a small squad as the run in intensifies and there is little we can do at this point to change things, just put the best eleven out and hope they perform.
posted on 15/4/19
I used to think that our bench looked really strong with Ruddy, MGW, Costa, Cavaleiro, Saiss, Vinagre and Traore all raring to go. The way is has panned out though is that Ruddy, Saiss and Vinagre seem to be the only ones with anything to offer. Traore is a runner not a footballer, Cavaleiro and MGW are weaker than the players they replace and Costa just doesn't seem to be able to cut it at this level. I think Costa will be shipped out in the summer and some Championship side will be lucky to have him. He has undoubted talent but as we have seen with others, the Championship is his level.
posted on 15/4/19
I think Cav and Costa both need to be moved on this summer and better replacements found. Neither have really cut it when called upon and both struggle to play Nuno’s current system. A shame really as I think both are better than they have shown, but there is no room for sentimentality if we want to progress.
MGW, Vinagre and Saiss are the only bench players I’d persist with. Saiss is adaptable to different positions and the other two have great potential. Outside of that we should really be looking at improving.
posted on 15/4/19
Agreed
posted on 15/4/19
Nuno will keep MGW for two reasons. 1. As you say, he has great potential and 2. He has to have some home grown players and I can't see him bringing in many Brits.
posted on 15/4/19
May I interject to day happy birthday to Leander Dendoncker, who turns 24 today!
posted on 15/4/19
Been saying for months that we don’t need to change much in the team for us to become a weaker side.
The three wide players all became mostly surplus to requirements when we changed from 343 to 352. I think Costa is the most talented of the three but unquestionably he has lost his way this season. If he is let go then he will find a place at a decent European team. Cavaleiro to me is not quite good enough for this level. And Traore has a lot of what it takes to be unplayable but whether we can coach into him the skills he needs to be effective time will tell
Saiss to me would be best as a left sided defender but I wouldn’t pick him ahead of Boly. He is too left footed to play on the right and to me slows our game down too much when played in midfield. Ok if we want to play defensively.
Mgw and Vinagre are both fine prospects and next season could see them break through more
posted on 15/4/19
Whatever happens to us this season, whether we finish in 7th spot, or even qualify for the Europa Cup, we've had a very successful start to our return to the top flight.
Nuno was recruited on 31st May 2017 and in his first season got us promoted and was assisted by Fosun's cash and Mendes' eye for players who could get us out of the Championship.
We had a huge squad of players and if we were serious about staying up, it needed to be trimmed so that we could get better players in to move us forward. Around 20 were moved on and we got Patricio, Otto, Dendonker, Moutinho, Jimenez and Traore in. Apart from Traore, the others have settled in and have got us to where we are today.
Now more needs to be done and if it means letting go of the likes of Costa, Cavaliero, Traore, then so be it. Sentimentality has to go out the window and money has to be spent to get more players in, whilst keeping within the confines of the FFP rules.
This is the first time our players have experienced the rigors of playing in the top flight, but what has to change next season, is our inability to overcome teams who try and stifle our play. Losses to the likes of Huddersfield and others cannot happen if we're going to challenge for a top six spot. I'd also like to see us be more aggressive and not rely on catching teams on the break and letting teams come at us. It certainly backfired against Watford recently.
I'm sure we'll be able to keep our better players for next season, but additions have to be made to increase our squad size which will also allow for rotation. I think we've been very fortunate that neither Jimenez or Jota have been injured this year.
I can understand Nuno's idea of a small senior squad this season, but it hasn't quite worked out with his substitutions on most occasions , even though our injuries have been kept to a minimum.
I'd still go with the 3-5-2 style, but we have to increase the squad with more talented players, otherwise we will not make the progress both Fosun and supporters are looking for.