Howe's half-arsed civil war slackers v Pep's champions in waiting

[Dr Gloom 21371]

Is a formation tweak required? I would like us to try a 4-2-3-1. A lot of the top clubs play that way. Two “number sixes” would give the defence more protection and hopefully remove that gaping hole between our defence and midfield that Foden is likely to exploit again. And a “number ten” would hopefully leave Isak less isolated.

 

Something like this maybe:

 

——————-Pope

 

Trips——Schar—Kelly—-Hall

 

————Tonali—-Bruno

 

—Gordon—Willock—Barnes

 

——————-Isak 

[Holden McGroin 6306]

I don’t think there is much chance of dropping Big Joe for this one. He’ll want an all action display from him.

[wykikitoon 19385]

Up for this one. The wife is visiting SJP for the first time. Albeit she's off in the players lounge* 🙄

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*she's not really 

[Andrew 4666]

2 hours ago, Dr Gloom said:

Is a formation tweak required? I would like us to try a 4-2-3-1. A lot of the top clubs play that way. Two “number sixes” would give the defence more protection and hopefully remove that gaping hole between our defence and midfield that Foden is likely to exploit again. And a “number ten” would hopefully leave Isak less isolated.

 

Something like this maybe:

 

——————-Pope

 

Trips——Schar—Kelly—-Hall

 

————Tonali—-Bruno

 

—Gordon—Willock—Barnes

 

——————-Isak 

Not for this game, if anything I want us to be all scrap and absolutely shit-house our way to a 0-0.

 

Get the pundits whining like they did last time we did it

[wykikitoon 19385]

That would be class especially with how much jizzing they've done for the last week over the shit housing of haaland. 

[Howmanheyman 31833]

9 hours ago, Andrew said:

Not for this game, if anything I want us to be all scrap and absolutely shit-house our way to a 0-0.

 

Get the pundits whining like they did last time we did it

 

No they can't whinge about shithousing, not after praising arsenal last week for doing it.

[Dr Gloom 21371]

12 hours ago, Holden McGroin said:

I don’t think there is much chance of dropping Big Joe for this one. He’ll want an all action display from him.

usually I’d agree but he’s been a shadow of himself this season, game one aside

[Toonpack 8767]

12 hours ago, Dr Gloom said:

Is a formation tweak required? I would like us to try a 4-2-3-1. A lot of the top clubs play that way. Two “number sixes” would give the defence more protection and hopefully remove that gaping hole between our defence and midfield that Foden is likely to exploit again. And a “number ten” would hopefully leave Isak less isolated.

 

Something like this maybe:

 

——————-Pope

 

Trips——Schar—Kelly—-Hall

 

————Tonali—-Bruno

 

—Gordon—Willock—Barnes

 

——————-Isak 

What has Kelly shown to be preferred over BDB against Haaland ??
 

That said, Eddie needs to decide on his best back four and stick with it until it gels. Switching FB’s every 5 minutes isn’t going to work, for the part of the team that needs to operate as a cohesive unit.

[Renton 20512]

13 hours ago, Dr Gloom said:

Two “number sixes” would give the defence more protection

 

You're on to something but we can do better. Let's use five number sixes, the Yahtzee formation. 

[Dr Gloom 21371]

26 minutes ago, Toonpack said:

What has Kelly shown to be preferred over BDB against Haaland ??
 

That said, Eddie needs to decide on his best back four and stick with it until it gels. Switching FB’s every 5 minutes isn’t going to work, for the part of the team that needs to operate as a cohesive unit.

 

he's got pace, that's the only reason i put him in. that and the fact it's his preferred position and bournmouth fans seem to think hes a natural centre back who can do a job at left back, rather than a natural in that position. a bit like dan burn in that sense, except he can run. 

 

the formation i posted is my own preference, not what i expect eddie to do. he isn't dropping burn

Edited 20 hours ago by Dr Gloom

[Dr Gloom 21371]

the problem with the 4-2-3-1 is we don't have a natural "number 10" in the james maddison/phil foden mode. can willock or gordon play there? isak probably could if wilson was fit to play in front of him. 

 

eddie has bought players to fit his preferred 4-3-3 system. we have "number 8s" with good energy and athleticism who can get up and back and were suited the high intensity pressing game we used to employ.

 

the problem with the 4-3-3 system is i don't think we have a natural DM to sit as a single pivot in front of the back four. bruno can do it, but he has lacked the positional discipline, leading to that big hole between midfield and defence. last season we blamed it on dubravka not sweeping when pope was out but it's still there. maybe tonali can do it, i dunno. 

[Dr Gloom 21371]

9 minutes ago, Renton said:

 

You're on to something but we can do better. Let's use five number sixes, the Yahtzee formation. 

 

you've got to know your number 6 from your double pivot and your low block these days - keep up

[Gemmill 42883]

Isak's toe is broken and he hasn't trained all week. Big doubt for tomorrow. 

 

Matt Targett is channelling Callum Wilson by having an eczema flare-up which means he won't make the squad.

 

[Meenzer 15182]

Farcelinotastic

[Holden McGroin 6306]

1 hour ago, Dr Gloom said:

usually I’d agree but he’s been a shadow of himself this season, game one aside

that’s what a new contract does.

[Christmas Tree 4478]

One of the most interesting pressers Howe has given. Worth a watch when it comes out.

[Gemmill 42883]

Sitrep on your underpants? 

[PaddockLad 16617]

Matty Targett can’t play because he’s got eczema so isn’t available for selection 

 

Longstaff forgot his training gear so had to do Wednesday’s session in his pants 

 

Gordon has detention today for being rude to a member of canteen staff. His pumpkin  latte was cold 

 

 

etc etc

[Dr Gloom 21371]

29 minutes ago, Christmas Tree said:

One of the most interesting pressers Howe has given. Worth a watch when it comes out.

 

top line? 

[Toonpack 8767]

6 minutes ago, Dr Gloom said:

 

top line? 

Isak’s fucked (broken toe)

[thebrokendoll 8731]

19 minutes ago, Toonpack said:

Isak’s fucked (broken toe)

 

if gemmill can quietly soldier on and go about his everyday business when his foot was all but amputated, then isak should be able to manage a game of football.

[Gemmill 42883]

5 minutes ago, thebrokendoll said:

 

if gemmill can quietly soldier on and go about his everyday business when his foot was all but amputated, then isak should be able to manage a game of football.

 

 still haven't been able to get back to running. It's lucky we're through beach season so my top won't need to come off for a bit. 

 

[Gemmill 42883]

 

Hope's got himself back in line. No drama, no squealing on about relationships breaking down. 

[thebrokendoll 8731]

1 minute ago, Gemmill said:

 

 still haven't been able to get back to running. It's lucky we're through beach season so my top won't need to come off for a bit. 

 

 

 

cunt better fucking play, 5am set off tomorrow.

[RobinRobin 10762]

20 minutes ago, thebrokendoll said:

 

 

cunt better fucking play, 5am set off tomorrow.

Not sure we need Gemmill.