08 Dec 2023 11:08:15
Interesting stat, l saw we are actually have a better return this season so far compared to last season, more points more wins. All the injuries, l wonder is this where ETH is getting the progress comments from? While l liked our attacking side against a poor Chelsea team, we were shockingly open when they broke, better teams will take those chances and close out the game with more efficiency. Think Pochettino could be a shock sacking in Jan.

1.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 11:34:51
We just need that CM (Casemiro) that will be a little more disciplined to sit in front of the defence and I think we will be a lot harder to break down. Amrabat was really good Wednesday but he's full energy as is McTominay and Fernandes which is great for pressing but leaves you open if a team can pass through the press. Mainoo v Everton showed he can be disciplined which is a credit to his football maturity and game understanding.

Look at City and how much they miss Rodri when he's out. I think Paulinha would be a cracking signing to replace Casemiro.

2.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 11:57:54
Iv said it a few times Recon, Ten Hag didn't get where he is today by not knowing how to set a team up to play how he wants. It's on to the players to take his methods on board and unfortunately a lot of them can't.

I think the turning point this season will be when he starts dropping underperformers and playing players who deserve it. Rashford on his current form should be first name on the bench. He's dropped Varane in favour of an in form Maguire. Mainoo has slotted in ahead of the likes of Amrabat. Play players in form and reward them if they play well.

2 points more than we had last season although we've a difficult run of fixtures coming up. Shaw back is a huge boost for the backline, Mainoo back offers something we don't have in midfield, Martinez is back after Christmas.

Hopefully we've had our slump and can get a bit of momentum going forward now. There's glimpses of a team in there somewhere but they need to kick on now.

3.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 12:08:06
Mumbles I agree with that pal, this is on the players, well some of them at least.

One thing that struck me about Wednesday night was the pressing was so much better. There was an intensity, commitment and a real collective effort to press the ball as a team and work for each other.

I think a lot of our problems this season have originated from a lack of effort and intensity when pressing the ball. It only takes one or two to be off it and the system breaks down. This is why our No6 has looked so isolated at times.

If you watch Rashford closely this season his pressing has been disgraceful and his recovery or desire to get back and help the team non existent. There has been some debate on this forum as to if this was tactical but I think we saw on Wednesday night this is not the case. In a pressing system even if just one player is not playing at the required intensity it’s easy to play against especially the better teams.

I don’t want to make this about Rashford but Wednesday night was a bench mark and standard. The effort and intensity must be the same for every game. That’s the demands on the players. It’s not easy but that’s why teams like City and Liverpool have been so good over the past few years. They’ve been able to maintain that level of intensity and commitment on a consistent basis. Obviously they have some very good players as well but the energy, intensity, hunger and desire are non negotiable.

Is it any surprise we fell well short against Newcastle with Rashford and Martial leading he line?!

Pick the same team tomorrow and let’s see if they can do it again.

4.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 13:15:35
We just have not kicked on as much as last season and other teams have had great starts like Villa and Spurs (first 10 games) which makes our record look worse.

Injuries haven't helped but recruitment was also poor, i mean where is mason mount lol so ten haag definitely has valid excuses.

Interesting Mctominay mentioned lighter training sessions between Newcastle and Chelsea, may have helped with the intensity.

5.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 15:11:54
Yet here we are a point above Newcastle, level with Spurs and a win behind City. It's one of those open league seasons.

6.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 15:19:49
Mount is out injured and has not really played much. Let's give the lad a fair crack and reserve judgement until he has had an opportunity.

7.) 08 Dec 2023
08 Dec 2023 19:51:38
Everyone enjoyed how we went about it Wednesday pressing etc and when Mount is fit and confident we will have one of the best players in that type of system in the league that’s how good he can be! If you read this platform you’d swear we signed him from Yeovil!