Yeah we’re just luring them into a false sense of security.

It's largely second balls that are the problem, some of which is tactical, some of which is players being outfought, and some I think is sometimes just bad luck if a ball falls lucky for a tap in.

Both goals v Palace, first v United, first v Brentford were all from failing to deal with a flick on or clearing the second ball.

So you're talking potentially an extra 5 points solving that issue alone.

comment by Robbing Hoody - No Halloween this year, the horror Is Rëal (U6374)
posted 5 minutes ago
Yeah we’re just luring them into a false sense of security.
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That's a far cry from what I said.

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 14 minutes ago
It's largely second balls that are the problem, some of which is tactical, some of which is players being outfought, and some I think is sometimes just bad luck if a ball falls lucky for a tap in.

Both goals v Palace, first v United, first v Brentford were all from failing to deal with a flick on or clearing the second ball.

So you're talking potentially an extra 5 points solving that issue alone.
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We're not getting away with much atm, that's probably true. The pens yesterday and against Gala were really debatable imo.

But I'm not sure I buy the balling falling nicely bit. We're just not sharp enough to compete for the ball when it does drop (like yesterdays opener), it feels like we're on our heels. Or not tracking runners so it looks like it's fallen nicely for the oppo.

I was listening to the James Beattie episode of LBHY podcast this morning and he was taking about going into games so confident because he knew he was fitter than the players he was against. I know a few posters have said this but the opposite looks true for us right now. The oppo looks fitter and stronger than us. We're not on our toes to compete for balls, our reactions are poor, our tracking is poor.

Yeah we've had some horrendous decisions against us, but equally we are playing bad as a collective and tactically.

Palace, Villa, Madrid, City the next four

Three at Anfield though

Maybe we need a big game at home like Real.

Fully expect us to go out of the cup tomorrow. God knows what defence we can put out.

Sorry Wednesday

Oh yeah we will be out of the cup by Thursday morning but there is every chance we could get 2 wins from Madrid and City.

Apparently Calvin Ramsay could make an appearance at right back

comment by Szoboss (U6997)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 14 minutes ago
It's largely second balls that are the problem, some of which is tactical, some of which is players being outfought, and some I think is sometimes just bad luck if a ball falls lucky for a tap in.

Both goals v Palace, first v United, first v Brentford were all from failing to deal with a flick on or clearing the second ball.

So you're talking potentially an extra 5 points solving that issue alone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

We're not getting away with much atm, that's probably true. The pens yesterday and against Gala were really debatable imo.

But I'm not sure I buy the balling falling nicely bit. We're just not sharp enough to compete for the ball when it does drop (like yesterdays opener), it feels like we're on our heels. Or not tracking runners so it looks like it's fallen nicely for the oppo.

I was listening to the James Beattie episode of LBHY podcast this morning and he was taking about going into games so confident because he knew he was fitter than the players he was against. I know a few posters have said this but the opposite looks true for us right now. The oppo looks fitter and stronger than us. We're not on our toes to compete for balls, our reactions are poor, our tracking is poor.
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Yep.

comment by Robbing Hoody - No Halloween this year, the horror Is Rëal (U6374)
posted 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
Palace, Villa, Madrid, City the next four
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Not that it's an excuse but our fixture list has been horrendous

Can't ever recall a season where we'll have basically played the entire top 10 in our first 11 games before.

Saw someone on twitter say wouldn't it be nice to play Wolves right now who look abysmal, but then pointed out we don't play them for another 60 days. You just know they'll have found some form by then

Three of those at Anfield, which should help a great deal I reckon.

Honestly starting to get worried a bit. Nothing to do with results. We genuinely look like we have no idea what to do when we don't have the ball

comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)
posted 11 minutes ago
Honestly starting to get worried a bit. Nothing to do with results. We genuinely look like we have no idea what to do when we don't have the ball
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Yep Slot needs to put round pegs on round holes atm

comment by Robbing Hoody - No Halloween this year, the ho... (U6374)
posted 4 hours, 14 minutes ago
I can’t think of a single top team in history that has played without a DM.

We got away with it a bit last season, but our form since March is dire. I think that 8 losses in 17 now or something.
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comment by Robbing Hoody - No Halloween this year, the ho... (U6374)
posted 4 hours, 14 minutes ago
I can’t think of a single top team in history that has played without a DM.

We got away with it a bit last season, but our form since March is dire. I think that 8 losses in 17 now or something.
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This

Not gonna criticise Slot too much after last season but I just think dumb to think we can get away with never playing a DM. How many other teams in the league don't?

Look at how solid defensively Spurs look just from adding Palhinha in that department. I knew he would be a good signing and said it at the time.

Spurs didn't just add Palhinha. They fecking changed managers.

Same group of players otherwise though. Shows if you add a DM and coach defensive organisation properly then you can improve vastly and quickly.

They've conceded half as many goals as us by the way, and finished 17th last year.

Ange's game was too open, he got sacked after winning a trophy. They also signed Kudus and other players and have some players who are in decent form like Spence and Porro. Vicario was imperious this weekend.

They are working hard and doing the basics right, it's not just Palhinha.

comment by No Løve - Play stoopid games win stoopi... (U1282)
posted 3 minutes ago
Ange's game was too open, he got sacked after winning a trophy. They also signed Kudus and other players and have some players who are in decent form like Spence and Porro. Vicario was imperious this weekend.

They are working hard and doing the basics right, it's not just Palhinha.
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That is exactly what we need to do, go back to the basics. If you don't think that Palhinha offering protection in front of the defence is playing massive part of that though, then you're an idiot.

Their new manager is getting a tune out of players like Sarr, Spence, Porro, Richarlison etc who were already at the club. Palhinha has also helped but I'd say the managerial change is game changer.

If they still had Ange they'd be conceding goals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Palhinha or no Palhinha.

Seen a stat from the BBC that Brentford spent an average of 55 seconds per long throw in against us over the weekend

Surely that needs to be clamped down upon across the league? If you spent almost a minute taking a normal short throw in you'd be booked for time wasting, why is it any different if the throw is long?

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 59 seconds ago
Seen a stat from the BBC that Brentford spent an average of 55 seconds per long throw in against us over the weekend

Surely that needs to be clamped down upon across the league? If you spent almost a minute taking a normal short throw in you'd be booked for time wasting, why is it any different if the throw is long?
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Makes the ref think it's a corner