It’s not that we need a “DM” it’s that we need some athleticism in central midfield. Xhaka and Ramsey are painfully slow and weak, and lack the agility to make up for it. In the PL that always gets caught out.
Yes yes yes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45470560
The stats kinda confirm my impression watching games. We’re struggling to really dictate play and build attacks and pressure through the game consistently, but when we do we’re pretty effective. It feels like an issue with the midfield and you have to wonder how long we’ll persist with the current personnel before trying something else.
Thanks for the link goombah
goon wrote: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45470560 The stats kinda confirm my impression watching games. We’re struggling to really dictate play and build attacks and pressure through the game consistently, but when we do we’re pretty effective. It feels like an issue with the midfield and you have to wonder how long we’ll persist with the current personnel before trying something else.
Problem being that Xhaka is the only CM who is providing any numbers in regards to creativity, and is also playing the role as I'd expect to see it in terms of his positioning. He is our player most involved in passing sequences that end up with a shot at goal and makes the most passes into the final 3rd.
Why does he never start Torreria?
Sicario wrote: Why does he never start Torreria?
Has reason not to this time round, what with him flying back from internationals. Should be starting Elneny though.
Best manager since Wenger?
Hahah. Level on points with Spurs after a tougher start
They have had Liverpool, Watford away, United Away. How's our start tougher?
Clrnc wrote: They have had Liverpool, Watford away, United Away. How's our start tougher?
Watford away on paper is not hard. City at home is harder than Liverpool at home. Chelsea away is harder than Utd away.
Have you seen Watford under Gracia?
Quincy Abeyie wrote: Have you seen Watford under Gracia?
Yeah they are currently losing to an average Man Utd side 2-0
I cannot prove who's had the tougher start but i know Cardiff are a dogshit relegation candidate and Newcastle are in no better form.
Sicario wrote: Quincy Abeyie wrote: Have you seen Watford under Gracia? Yeah they are currently losing to an average Man Utd side 2-0
You're either saying that they should be judged on this match alone, or that Watford under Gracia overall suggests that they're an easy match. I don't know what I disagree with the most.
Watford are Watford. I don’t anyone looks at the fixtures and dreads playing them away.
I dread about five away fixtures in the league, that doesn't mean that I think we have 15 easy away victories every season.
Bold Tone wrote: I cannot prove who's had the tougher start but i know Cardiff are a dogshit relegation candidate and Newcastle are in no better form.
No point talking about a team we’ve both played.
Europa midweek will be interesting.
Have to imagine Leno will get a start, and Lichensteiner too. Wonder if either can grab a starting position.
Definitely has got the players leaner. Would be interested to see how our average distance covered per game compares to last season. Probably best to reference that against possession percentage too
