its always a good time to look at how our season has begun and where we see us going when we get back to Premier League fixtures in 10 days time.
Before the season started there was a certain amount of positivity with Brendan at the helm in comparison to how things were under Inspector Clueless last season. There were of course reservations (as there always is with certain supporters) but on the whole we were upbeat......
So now after the first 4 games where do we see the 'positive areas' or the 'areas that are causing concern'?
Its safe to say that if we were offered unbeaten after 4 games and into the next round of the Carabao Cup then we would all have taken that, but there were rumblings of unhappiness after the first 2 games. Too Defensive, No replaced Harry, Not incisive enough, not creating chances etc etc.....
But we have seen that Brendan is tactically aware of these issues and can change/tweak things where needed..... he has been without his first choice Left Back and has been integrating a new Centre Back into the defence while we have been starting the season. For me these are crucial positions for us and to have done this without losing a game shows that BR has done this successfully (so far...... the next run of games will be another test of tactics and squad quality)
We have seen yet again the partnership between Maddison and Vardy could become something for other teams to fear, and its obvious that both enjoy working with each other and that's for the benefit of the rest of the team.
We have been pleasantly surprised (even those who questioned his quality before the first game) that Soyuncu has gelled with Evans as quickly as he has, obviously a lot of behind the scenes work was done with them before the season started when it became apparent that Harry was off.
Width and creativity is still a concern and I am hoping that we will see that improve, and against the bigger teams who give us more space we may find that we improve in those areas BUT as somebody else commented a couple of days ago..... we need to be creative and incisive against the lower teams as well. Confidence will help this, and the unbeaten start can't do this any harm.
So where do you think we are needing to 'smooth out the edges'?
Are we expecting too much too soon?
Do we just enjoy the ride and let Brendan do his thing?
A lot of other teams supporters have us down as one of the dark horses for Top 6 this season, are we being too harsh too soon when we get frustrated?
Discuss.......
UTF
As we head into the International Break
posted on 4/9/19
I still think its going to take another five games to get to the point we will really know if its all systems go but i will take what we got so far thanks
posted on 4/9/19
One thing with Brendan is he is good at tweaking a team to get a result, and n game too, but sometimes he over does it to the detriment of the team, best example for Liverpool was semi final v Villa in the cup, he changed it 5 times in 20 mins and we were all over the shop and were rightly beaten.
He's a very good mananger and tactician though and has a good squad to work with with some top players in Maddison and Vardy, also great side to watch overall, hope yous do well
posted on 4/9/19
I thought the Bournemouth win was important. Admittedly they aren’t the toughest defence we’ll face all season but the team applied themselves well and put in a good performance. They have to believe they can and will get wins, particularly at home, and while one 0-0 isn’t a disaster we didn’t want to see it become a pattern.
As for targeting top 6, there are a couple of obvious teams to target, but we’ll see. I still think Man Utd can both buy their way out of trouble and potentially get a bounce from sacking their manager, but Chelsea look like they’re in for a long season. But that’s quite aside from the fact that Everton and West Ham will be eyeing up the same opportunity. I can’t see any of us overtaking Arsenal or Spurs.
posted on 4/9/19
I think we can only see the start to the season as positive.
Soyuncu has so far proven doubters (I was one) wrong and long may it continue. He is still erratic but shows a lot of skill on the ball and if we can coach out the creases he could be a genuine replacement for Maguire.
Rodgers has shown he’s willing to make tough decisions tactically and on a player front. The way he’s handled the Pérez situation initially worries me, then impressed me.
Tactics wise he tried 4-3-3, but was willing to adjust it when it wasn’t working (it may in the future but it wasn’t). We’ve picked up good results and after a shocking start vs Chelsea we should have beat them.
So it’s positive. My glass is 3/4 full and I feel we can challenge for the top 6 and should be very comfortable in the top 10.
My concerns remain how easily teams with quality will expose our defence and the fact that Vardy did look isolated again until the switch in formation. But the willingness of Rodgers to change this reduces my fear.
As Nev says, 5 more games will tell. The next 3 are a perfect test for our top 6 credentials.
posted on 4/9/19
Let's see what we do against the Toon, that will tell us more than the next two.
posted on 5/9/19
I agree with others that a more realistic assessment can be made after 10 games, but it’s not too early to look for indications. It has to be seen, so far, as a positive start.
As did many I feared that not replacing Maguire may have been an error, but Soyuncu has started well. He makes the odd mistake - as did Maguire - but one critical difference is he’s quicker and that aids his recovery. If he continues for 10 more games the way he’s started we will be asking: “Harry who?” rather than just commenting on the size of his manhood.
I now have two fears, which could scupper any aspirations of finishing high up the table:
The first is our depth in striking options after Vardy. Not a new problem, but becomes more real the more distant Iheanacho and Slimani get from the team
The second issue is also not new. In the Wolves game we looked like we did last season - completely uncreative against a resolute and organised defence.
BRodgers faces that same problem that Ranieri, Shakespeare and Puel all did. Do we pack midfield or do we play with more width? Can we defend well enough against the better sides if we go with the latter option? Can we breakdown organised defences with the former?
BRodgers was praised for being flexible against Bournemouth, but he now faces the immediate quandary of whether to line up in the same way at Old Trafford. In exactly the same way as it did previous managers, working out how to balance the side and still perform consistently, will define both him and our future success.
posted on 5/9/19
I say we go after Utd Joby. 4-1-4-1 and expose their weaknesses at full back and pull Maguire out of position.
Maybe more conservative 4-3-3 vs Spurs.