Phillips hit for 6

I like the look of Strujik. He had a decent cameo playing DM... but, and I hope to be pleasantly surprised... decision making, interceptions, positioning (in and out of possession) tight give and goes under pressure, awareness of players coming from all angles rather than just in front of you. Responsibility to set tempo and start most of our moves.

There’s more to dm (especially in a bielsa team) than some fans seem to think. White looked like a fish out of water last year.

Strujik will have grealish for company.

Big test for the lad.

comment by Stoopo (U4707)
posted 9 minutes ago
We have an abundance of midfielders but only one who can really play the Phillips role at the moment. If he’s fit Struijk goes in there and if Cooper isn’t fit then Ayling to CB and Alioski left back.
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Changing 3 players and the whole shape of a defensive unit because of 1 player injured and the club being naive by not signing even a decent championship DM is a bit daft.

Shouldn't the football director direct Bielsa that we look vulnerable minus Klich or Phillips.

I think to be fair Shaun, llorente was signed as centre half and DM competition. Unfortunate to get injuries where we have.

Klich crocked? Dallas crocked? Cover is less obvious

Dallas is alioski
Klicth is shackleton

Are they good enough, debatable, are they the replacements, yes.

Side note (and I hate to admit this), Villa signing
Barkley may have been one of the best of the summer.
He's freed up Grealish more. The two of them together are and will be a handful.

one thing about Beilsa teams, and I agreed with what commentator said other night, is that the team are so well drilled they can play other positions when needed.

People can complain all they want about a replacements being bought - but they'd be the first to complain if we had x amount of wages sat on the bench. - its not like we havn't spent in the market, you'd like to think Bielsa looked at who can cover where and made the choice of priority - for example left back wasn't a priory either. Also, who for example would have been bought for KP cover? - either you spend a fortune or get somebody in cheap, what is actual point of buying in cheap, when you have players already that know exactly what they're doing in terms of system?

not saying KP isn;t a miss though - great player, but hopefully who ever fills his boots will have a good run of games! - this Sturyk fellow doing himself very well, could impress more and become a star, surely you'd prefer that than buying a Brentford or Stoke DM?

comment by Mattyp (U8926)
posted 16 minutes ago
Dallas is alioski
Klicth is shackleton

Are they good enough, debatable, are they the replacements, yes.
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Sure, I Get that, should have qualified my statement

one thing about Beilsa teams, and I agreed with what commentator said other night, is that the team are so well drilled they can play other positions when needed.

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agree spanish, its just a drag when we have to make three changes for one injury at this early stage of the season.

comment by The Spanish Italians - it’s all coming home again (U21595)
posted 12 minutes ago
one thing about Beilsa teams, and I agreed with what commentator said other night, is that the team are so well drilled they can play other positions when needed.

People can complain all they want about a replacements being bought - but they'd be the first to complain if we had x amount of wages sat on the bench. - its not like we havn't spent in the market, you'd like to think Bielsa looked at who can cover where and made the choice of priority - for example left back wasn't a priory either. Also, who for example would have been bought for KP cover? - either you spend a fortune or get somebody in cheap, what is actual point of buying in cheap, when you have players already that know exactly what they're doing in terms of system?

not saying KP isn;t a miss though - great player, but hopefully who ever fills his boots will have a good run of games! - this Sturyk fellow doing himself very well, could impress more and become a star, surely you'd prefer that than buying a Brentford or Stoke DM?

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Yep this.

For me it's a compounded concern about injuries and shuffling of the defence (if that's what happens) because of who we're up against next.

It's the first meeting against Smith et al, since that afternoon and match.

I just hope we have cooper fit and ready.

Cause if we are going to play Struijk there it makes it very likely we would have to play ayling in the centre.

I know he can play centreback, but I'd be massively worried about him having to adjust his mentality to stay back when he has spent these first few games operating so much in the opposing half