Slot probably would have bought Chiesa on but as soon as Chelsea bought on Lavia we lost control of the game and were too open. We had 2 midfielders in the defence and the sub should have been Gomez (hindsight) but I wasn't mad at Endo coming on but he was just as hopeless as Mac.

I'm still trying to figure out if Isak meant that touch or not because if he did, that's probably assist of the season right there

And Salah stopped Wirtz from getting an all time assist

Still think we desperately need a proper CDM but seems the club have no interest.

comment by フレッド - #TWENTYTIMES (U3979)
posted 3 minutes ago
Still think we desperately need a proper CDM but seems the club have no interest.
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It will be Wharton next summer probably.

comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)
posted 2 minutes ago
And Salah stopped Wirtz from getting an all time assist
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And this is what I mean by the fine margins.

Salah last year nets two against Chelsea. I’m pretty certain we don’t lose be Palace and Gala too.

Big game at Anfield and Utd are terrible away from home.

Personally, I still think our performances are down to fitness and not much more than that.

If I cba I’m going to look at some running stats but what gives me hope is that pretty much every goal we’ve conceded this season, is easily preventable, with a bit more work, a bit more urgency and a bit better decision making.

I just cannot stand the thought of Arsenal winning the title either, so if we can’t step up, City better had (and I think they will fwiw. I feel people writing them off are going far too early on that).

I get your point but Salah is not playing the same role as last season...hence he's been quiet by his stratospheric standards

Same role not, Id expect him to finish at least one of those chances vs Chelsea.

comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
I dunno...I'm more confused than anything.

The lack of urgency when it's clear certain things on the pitch aren't working is baffling me.

And Chiesa thing just seems really weird tbh...it's like the reverse of Klopp with Henderson
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Bizarre!

Also I know Gakpo chips in the odd goal, but his all round play has been terrible for quite a while

Thought Gakpo was good, created chances, scored a goal, did his work off the ball, but his legs just went at around 70-75mins.

In fact all our legs went and we couldn’t handle their subs.

Robbo may have been injured but that’s absolutely shiiiiiiiit defending at the back post for the winner too. Same could be said for Frimpong vs Palace too… just ball watching bollox and amateur defending.

Although I don’t think our problems are that bad, and in the main pretty easily fixed, we do have an issue at full-back, especially RB. I’ve never been as into Bradley as many others, I’m just not sure he’s that good.

I always felt Trent would be more appreciated after he left, and now we see what we’ve lost, but RB is a big issue, that’s also affecting Salah.

comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)

And Salah stopped Wirtz from getting an all time assist
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I was chimping out when he did that omg

There's a quote floating around online this weekend about Van Dijk saying saying it'll be a tough season given the off-field problems with the club, as in Jota's passing - apparently it's a fake quote but it does seem like it may be the case. The number of last-min winners early on this season felt a little like we're motivated by emotion and an unexpected defeat as knocked the team confidence

Watching us against Chelsea, the team just looks shot of confidence and knackered. Even Slot's confidence has taken a knock with some of his selections and subs it feels.

Small chance but I'd play Jones in Mac's place and give Mac a chance to get up to speed as he's still not at the races. Attach will come good, just one of those times where we too many players hit bad form at the same time

That's a lot of typos, whatever

Playing Jones in Mac's place just doesn't help Wirtz at all though.

One of our problems is playing the ball forward with impetus. Jones isn't that guy

We’ve got to play Szob instead of AMA atm imo

comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)
posted 2 minutes ago
Playing Jones in Mac's place just doesn't help Wirtz at all though.

One of our problems is playing the ball forward with impetus. Jones isn't that guy
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I've just never rated Jones....

comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)

Playing Jones in Mac's place just doesn't help Wirtz at all though.

One of our problems is playing the ball forward with impetus. Jones isn't that guy
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Jones came on against Chelsea and we finally started building up a little. You're right he's not as quick getting forwards as Mac last year but at the moment, neither is Mac unfortunately

I’d play Szob ahead of Jones, but would not be against Jones replacing AMA either.

Argentina have Venezuela and Puerto Rico for their internationals. Hopefully they help AMA get up to speed. He was SO easily bypassed for Caicedo’s goal, that he was a liability. He has so much more quality than he’s shown this season.

comment by The Duality of Van (Dijk) (U21747)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)

Playing Jones in Mac's place just doesn't help Wirtz at all though.

One of our problems is playing the ball forward with impetus. Jones isn't that guy
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Jones came on against Chelsea and we finally started building up a little. You're right he's not as quick getting forwards as Mac last year but at the moment, neither is Mac unfortunately
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I mean that's one way to look at. The other way is Gravenberch and Szob dropping into defence allowed us control the play more in deeper positions and progress the ball better

I'm beginning to think that our squad is best suited to a 4-3-2-1 formation.

That would get Szobo back on the right side of midfield to cover Salah but use the full back for the width - certainly Frimpong would be good there.

------------------------ Ali -----------------
Frimpong -- Konate -- VVD -- Kerkez
---------- Szobo -- Grav -- AMA --------
---------------Salah -------- Wirtz --------
------------------------ Isak -----------------

Ekitike could cover any of the front 3 positions. Gakpo covers Wirtz. Szobo would play either of the AM roles if we wanted to bring in Jones. Grav would need to play the Fabinho type sitting role and step back into defence when the FBs were bombing on.

The big question is whether that formation nullifies our matchwinner - Salah.

You know things are bad when the Christmas Tree comes out

lol...I still believe we'll get better balance if we play Wirtz on the left but nothing like what he was asked to do against Palace.