YorkshireSquare wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:17 pm
Absolutely awful to watch, no one knew where anyone was, we were very narrow, but still didn't have control in the middle.
The results over the last 5 games have been decent and a point is better than none but it makes me worried about the remaining games. We need at least 4 more points and we'll probably need them in the last two games of the season.
And of course Sky would never move all the kick offs so we start after everyone else would they?
1964white wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:30 pm
He had a mare, mate,
Looked completely lost ...as did Klich/James (for the first time) Dallas (at times in the first half) Cooper (Who was out of position more than I've ever seen him) And even Raph who seemed at a loss what to do with the ball once he got it ... Phillips to had no outlet
"A mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it's not open"
Marsch’s preference for playing narrow only goes to highlight how few options we have in the middle. Really, really need to strengthen there this summer!
Total lack of attacking midfield quality of any standard is so obvious and a big black mark on our recruitment policy these years since we knew Pablo was on his last legs.
We are hoofing because there are no squad options. No one with good enough close ball control and certainly no one to pick a pass.
Greenwood and Gelhardt were headless chickens because there was no service.
If we stay up we definitely need better in the middle of the park.
faaip wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:33 pm
We had two weeks off end of a long season, how the f**k are we rusty unless you're saying we didn't bother training and planning for the game ...
Because it was 16 days since our last game. How can training ever replicate the intensity of a game? Also Palace's Galaticos gave the ball away as much as we did.
Last edited by SG90 on Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
YorkshireSquare wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:32 pm
Marsch’s preference for playing narrow only goes to highlight how few options we have in the middle. Really, really need to strengthen there this summer!
It's just really odd.
Bielsa loved width and the squad is full of wingers but the middle is neglected.
Marsch hates width and the squad plainly isn't built for his style.
But the board said he was ideal because he and Bielsa have similar styles
YorkshireSquare wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:32 pm
Marsch’s preference for playing narrow only goes to highlight how few options we have in the middle. Really, really need to strengthen there this summer!
It highlights the lack of understanding and lack of movement. play that narrow and there's little space to play into, players get in their own way and you fail to use the space on the wings.. It's designed to congest the midfield and it won't matter who we play there next season imo ...
"A mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it's not open"
SG90 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:34 pm
Because it was 16 days since our last game. How can training ever replicate the intensity of a game? Also Palace's Galaticos gave the ball away as much as we did.
16 days is f**k all ... in fact it rests the players, allows them to get used to a newish system. Rustiness comes from 6 weeks away ... wait till we have the WC in November this year
"A mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it's not open"
CHAPELALLMAN wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 8:51 pm
To be a competitive PL team and to get anywhere you have to be able to clean sheets - and that aspect is a quantum leap forward with the new manager.
faaip wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:35 pm
It highlights the lack of understanding and lack of movement. play that narrow and there's little space to play into, players get in their own way and you fail to use the space on the wings.. It's designed to congest the midfield and it won't matter who we play there next season imo ...
Was frustrating watching Harrison pick up the ball inside and then try to run to the space out wide tracked by three men. He thrived on that space out wide, running onto the defenders and cutting in. He just looks struck in treacle picking it up in the middle.
Cjay wrote: ↑Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:17 pm
What will baffle me forever is how are Bielsa and Marsch similar?
Fundamentally the systems are different.
Buelsa's system liked to make the pitch as big as possible and use the width.
Marsch likes to play as narrow as possible.
Bielsa.loved wingers (hence why we have 74 and no midfielders).
Marsch doesn't use wingers in his system at all and he prefers central players (which we have very few).
The pressing systems are different as well.
We have a squad built for a totally different system.
I am not convinced Marsch got the job because it was similar to Bielsa like Orta and Radz said I think he got it because he was Orta's mate.
This isn't meant to criticise Msrsch incidentally it's just never made much sense as a narrative despite what the club said.
The narrow style of play really hampers us when we win the ball back or try to break. I think much of our relentless ability to squander possession is system transformation. Everyone is playing loose passes and that is about a lack of chemistry. It will take time to impose a radically different style of play on a team full of Bielsaball muscle memory.
I doubt we will see any of the ball against city. It will be a backs to the wall performance where individual errors will get punished.
I thought Meslier looked confident and very solid tonight. He was my MotM just ahead of Ayling.
