14 Dec 2020 09:15:48
Four points from a possible fifteen, not many to come in next four matches, everyone’s looking forward to playing us, first match in new year will be e “six pointer†at Brighton, Chelsea due in town tomorrow, who have the nasty habit of putting five past us, nostalgia’s not dead after all, Nuno better get busy finding his solutions, he’s going to need backing big time in January.
14 Dec 2020 11:10:52
A habit? They did it once.
14 Dec 2020 13:01:21
Agreed Ron I would like to see us go back to 352 for the next few games, its not a disaster but we really needed something against Villa as it was the best point scoring game of the next few.
14 Dec 2020 14:05:16
Patricio
Boly Coady Kilman
Semedo Dendonker Vintinha Marcal
Neto Silva Podence.
Neves, Traore to be used as impact subs.
14 Dec 2020 15:31:43
Has M ; Depends how old you are and what sticks in your mind 5 - 2 last year, 5 - 0 (h) and 5 - 2 (a) 03/ 04 6 - 0. il the league cup in 2012, that don’t count though, but on the plus side I was in the North Bank in March ‘74’ when Willy Carr scored on his debut and we won 7 - 1, think they’ve been avenging that day ever since as we’ve only come out on top on four occasions in the following Forty - Six years, it might not be 5 all the time but to me and probably a few others it just seems like it. Tomorrow would be a good time to get back to winning ways but as Nuno says we need to improve and find solutions. Quick.
14 Dec 2020 16:47:03
I think our 4231 against Arsenal should be the norm.
14 Dec 2020 16:53:21
I let can remember all of those matches. Last year’s was different from 03/ 04 games when we were pretty much out of depth against the bigger teams. Last year’s game hinged on a couple of incidents, which gave them momentum in what had been an even game until they happened. Tomori’s wonder shot to register his first and, I think, only Premier League goal. Knocked the stuffing out of us and I think they got a couple very quickly after that and before we regained some composure. I do remember us changing to a back four to try to force the game with little joy. Left Coady exposed and Abraham took full advantage.
Personnel are important but I think the system is more so. We looked far less vulnerable with a back 3/ 5. Back passes go to Coady and not to Patricio as they do in a back four. Also a back four gives Coady more options and time when making his passes. If there is no out ball he can play it left or right to fellow centre backs.
Prior to system change our CBs were moving forward into space if the opportunity was there. Kilman carries the ball well and is relatively quick. He has missed out hugely through system change, through no fault of his own.
Look how solid Fulham looked with a back three and wing backs against Liverpool. Their goal was scored by a wing back. Against a side who are going to dominate possession, as Chelsea are likely to do, it makes sense to go for that more solid set up.
I have to say I agree with Glenn Hoddle. Why don’t we leave Traore up front near half way line when defending corners. Brings little to the table when defending so why not use the threat of his pace to force opposition to keep at least three players back. Same goes for Podence if Traore not playing. Last minute loss to Spurs was prime example. Traore picked himself off the floor and ambled back to defend their corner, Jose then told Vertongen to go up and the rest is history,!
Apologies, off at a tangent again. Just some thoughts to provoke a bit of debate ahead of the game.
14 Dec 2020 17:20:07
I would take 7'1 Ron I bet that was amazing in 74.
I was 1 years old in 74.
Hoping for a win tomorrow
COYW.
14 Dec 2020 17:38:51
Almost 2 years ago to the day we hosted Chelsea after a run of 6 games without a win and beat them 2-1 let’s hope history repeats!
14 Dec 2020 22:34:20
Sorry to be picky OMR, but the 7-1 game was 1975. Doog was injured, so Kindon played and was rampant, as only he could be. 'The Tank' previously played Rugby League, just a thought for Adama! FWAW.