Stronger 11 last season.

[AGENT_CLARET]

Am I the only one that thinks they are playing these players to improve their value and hoping they learn and improve fast enough to keep us up? Watching Mission to Burnley VK said that we had to buy young players to make a profit on and sell two or three a year. Buying young players and making large profits allows you to buy better players on higher wages. The problem is that we seem to have gone mad at buying players in the same position.

The problem with this and using Trafford for the example is getting battered almost each game and conceding about 80 goal's in a season not only will do nothing for Traffords confidence but his value will plumit

[Clive 1960]

different leagues and different squads other than bigger squad this season, i do think this squad of players would walk the championship it's just the Premier league as got stronger and better squads.

[Tall Paul]

There's no point trying to draw any meaningful conclusions from the xG of a single game, let alone a single shot. The value is in reducing or eliminating the noise inherent in analysing results of a low scoring game that are hugely influenced by variance.

[willsclarets]

If folk think that Harwood bells and tella equate to more points on the board this season, I think you're being a bit naive. If I have any criticism of VK it's the amount of rotation due to so many signings in forward positions. But would I rather have amdouni or tella? Probably amdouni. Would Harwood bellis be a huge upgrade on beyer/Al dakhil? Don't think so.

Maatsen was a big miss, but probably doesn't help us defensively. Our biggest problem this season is we don't know our best 11, and we definitely have a bit of imbalance in wide positions. It's far too early to write the likes of Tresor off, or ramsay. But with all the other talent in forward positions how do we give enough game time to each to know who should start? Especially without alienating half of them (larsen, benson, zaroury etc) I also hope massengo gets a chance because he's a scrapper and a ball winner. We don't have that in the side ATM. With Trafford, perhaps it wasn't the right decision to start him, but writing him off is a huge mistake. He's massively rated and so young, after a quarter of the season you can't call him a waste of money. In fact muric had a lot of criticism around this time last year a level lower where we had 80% of the ball

In short, we haven't a clue which is the better 11 because none of them have played enough games. But that is a problem, we need to find out.

[Newcastleclaret93]

The problem with this and using Trafford for the example is getting battered almost each game and conceding about 80 goal's in a season not only will do nothing for Traffords confidence but his value will plumit

Ramsdale at 22 for Sheffield conceded 65 in the premier league in 34 games. His value went up. Also worth noting he was in a team set up to defend also.

[AGENT_CLARET]

Ramsdale at 22 for Sheffield conceded 65 in the premier league in 34 games. His value went up. Also worth noting he was in a team set up to defend also.

Ramsdale and his team were beaten by 3 goal's or more 8x all season, Trafford and Burnley have let in 3 or more in x5 game's out of x8 played so far, we won't be making a profit

[claretonthecoast1882]

Ramsdale and his team were beaten by 3 goal's or more 8x all season, Trafford and Burnley have let in 3 or more in x5 game's out of x8 played so far, we won't be making a profit

You have no idea what will and won't happen in the future regarding fees. Still if it is something else to use against the signing crack on.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Ramsdale and his team were beaten by 3 goal's or more 8x all season, Trafford and Burnley have let in 3 or more in x5 game's out of x8 played so far, we won't be making a profit

Difference in set up. Sheffield played with a back five to be defensive.

Trafford will be sold for a big profit in the next 24 months

[AGENT_CLARET]

You have no idea what will and won't happen in the future regarding fees. Still if it is something else to use against the signing crack on.

Read what I first put before telling me to crack on, it wasn't about using something against Trafford it was aimed at Kompany picking player's not ready for the Premier league just to try and turn a quick profit instead of the priority of winning games, so wind your neck in

[claretonthecoast1882]

There goes the art of stupidity. Kompany is playing someone you think isn't ready to turn a quick profit.

If he isn't ready and performs badly how do me make a profit, do tell expert. As for read what I put " we will not make a profit"

[AGENT_CLARET]

There goes the art of stupidity. Kompany is playing someone you think isn't ready to turn a quick profit.

If he isn't ready and performs badly how do me make a profit, do tell expert. As for read what I put " we will not make a profit"

Prick

[claretonthecoast1882]

I guess when someone shows you how daft your thought process is that was an expected response.

[Tall Paul]

Ramsdale and his team were beaten by 3 goal's or more 8x all season, Trafford and Burnley have let in 3 or more in x5 game's out of x8 played so far, we won't be making a profit

Which 5 games are those?

[CoolClaret]

Difference in set up. Sheffield played with a back five to be defensive.

Trafford will be sold for a big profit in the next 24 months

Not so sure about ‘big’ profit if his level of play continues.

Certainly won’t have a loss or much of a loss that’s for sure.

The important point being though that staying in the PL guarantees an increased revenue stream and so the plan should be to remain in the PL with contingency in place if we go down.

Trying to find 5+ players a year that can come in and be developed and sold for profit on the proverbial production line sounds good in theory but not many teams in history have had sustained success with that approach - it’s hardly like we have the RB scouting system in place or have an academy like Ajax or Benfica…

[CrosspoolClarets]

Which 5 games are those?

Suspect he means the sides currently 1st, 3rd, 5th and 11th in the Premier League (4).

[claretonthecoast1882]

Which 5 games are those?

He might mean Mainz when we lost 3-0 although Muric was in goal for 2 of those.

[bf2k]

All in my opinion obviosuly but:

Muric is probably a better goalkeeper than Trafford but its close

Harwood-Bellis - The defenders we have now are far better. O'Shea & Delcroix I still think are better but nowhere near Beyer, Al-Dakhil or Ekdal

Maatsen - Didn't want to come back to us

Zaroury / Benson - too lightweight for this league at the moment. Bruun-Larsen and Koleosho are upgrades. Juror still out on Tresor but he definitely comes with good reports

Amdouni - he's a fantastic player. Plays a bit differently to to how Tella did for us but I'd still prefer Amdouni

Berge - he's an upgrade on both Cork & Brownhill

Ramsey & Odobert are for the future but definitely look like they have talent.

I'm pretty happy with the recruitment and this side would walk the Championship.

[dsr]

No-one seems to be commenting of Foster for Barnes. I'd say he was an upgrade too!

[Blatherwickstattoo]

No-one seems to be commenting of Foster for Barnes. I'd say he was an upgrade too!

I agree with this. Although Barnes was absolutely pivotal in us getting promotion whereas foster looked a bit lost (understandably)

There’s games this season where we’ve needed Ashley Barnes just to put himself about a bit too.

[Blatherwickstattoo]

Anyone still thinking the exact same?

[CoolClaret]

Anyone still thinking the exact same?

Watch out, you'll upset the happy clappers

[Carlos the Great]

It never works out well when changing the whole team

[Blatherwickstattoo]

Another thing nobody has mentioned is the team cohesion. Imagine the moral in the dressing room being dropped after staring last season . Muric , Brownhill , zaroury , benson Taylor , and to a lesser extent jay and cork. Bringing in a shed load of kids with absolutely no premier league experience. Some of his starting 11 line ups this season have been an insult to the lads who worked so hard for him last season. Now we are seeing the ramifications of players not working hard for their manager .( Think Dyche when he ballsed up Europe by playing fringe players)

[bumba]

Watch out, you'll upset the happy clappers

There not happy clappers there proper fans supporting them no matter what because they can see the direction and leadership in the squad, as soon as it clicks we'll be flying

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

All in my opinion obviosuly but:

Muric is probably a better goalkeeper than Trafford but its close

Harwood-Bellis - The defenders we have now are far better. O'Shea & Delcroix I still think are better but nowhere near Beyer, Al-Dakhil or Ekdal

Maatsen - Didn't want to come back to us

Zaroury / Benson - too lightweight for this league at the moment. Bruun-Larsen and Koleosho are upgrades. Juror still out on Tresor but he definitely comes with good reports

Amdouni - he's a fantastic player. Plays a bit differently to to how Tella did for us but I'd still prefer Amdouni

Berge - he's an upgrade on both Cork & Brownhill

Ramsey & Odobert are for the future but definitely look like they have talent.

I'm pretty happy with the recruitment and this side would walk the Championship.

Al Dakhil, O’Shea and Delacroix better than THB?

Koleosho and upgrade on Zaroury?

[bf2k]

Al Dakhil, O’Shea and Delacroix better than THB?

Koleosho and upgrade on Zaroury?

Yes

[kaptin1]

All in my opinion obviosuly but:

Muric is probably a better goalkeeper than Trafford but its close

Harwood-Bellis - The defenders we have now are far better. O'Shea & Delcroix I still think are better but nowhere near Beyer, Al-Dakhil or Ekdal

Maatsen - Didn't want to come back to us

Zaroury / Benson - too lightweight for this league at the moment. Bruun-Larsen and Koleosho are upgrades. Juror still out on Tresor but he definitely comes with good reports

Amdouni - he's a fantastic player. Plays a bit differently to to how Tella did for us but I'd still prefer Amdouni

Berge - he's an upgrade on both Cork & Brownhill

Ramsey & Odobert are for the future but definitely look like they have talent.

I'm pretty happy with the recruitment and this side would walk the Championship.

I think it’s so difficult to compare when we are playing in a different league. Brownhill, for example, was voted into the Championship team of the year last year but looks poor in the Premier League. Roberts was one of the top performing right backs in the Championship but has been crap so far this season. Cullen also a standout performer in the Championship but average this season. It’s a huge step up. So I’ve no idea if Trafford is better than Muric or the other way around because I’ve only seen Trafford in the Premier League in a side that is struggling and offering him little protection and Muric in the Championship in a side that was dominant and up against much weaker opponents. it’s the tactics as much as the personnel that are killing us this year.

[KlyBfc]

THB is miles better than Delcroix and OShea, he’s also currently better than Al Dahkil.
For me the biggest things he gave us ,that we are massively missing at the moment, are (despite his age) leadership and aggression. Add in the fact he had the ability to beat the press and play passes between the lines and we are definitely worse off for not having him.

Regarding Tella he also gave us personality and his pressing from the front was unreal. We miss that and whilst Amdouni looks more technical I do think we miss the tone Tella set high up the pitch.

[Big Vinny K]

All in my opinion obviosuly but:

Muric is probably a better goalkeeper than Trafford but its close

Harwood-Bellis - The defenders we have now are far better. O'Shea & Delcroix I still think are better but nowhere near Beyer, Al-Dakhil or Ekdal

Maatsen - Didn't want to come back to us

Zaroury / Benson - too lightweight for this league at the moment. Bruun-Larsen and Koleosho are upgrades. Juror still out on Tresor but he definitely comes with good reports

Amdouni - he's a fantastic player. Plays a bit differently to to how Tella did for us but I'd still prefer Amdouni

Berge - he's an upgrade on both Cork & Brownhill

Ramsey & Odobert are for the future but definitely look like they have talent.

I'm pretty happy with the recruitment and this side would walk the Championship.

It’s all about opinion I know but it’s difficult to see what you are basing a lot of the above on.

Trafford / Muric debate I agree is hard to call but for me Muric deserves his chance now after an abject display yesterday from Trafford. I don’t go for this it would have been a cricket score without him - some of their finishing was atrocious and Trafford on 2 or 3 occasions at least nearly made a mess of some straightforward saves.

THB - think most of us have seen him play for Burnley last year and as u21 skipper. We’ve not seen him play against premier league opposition but I am really struggling to see how or when you have seen O Shea or Delcroix play to come up with an opinion they are better. And with Al D costing us at least one goal a game I find it hard to believe THB would not be in front of him selection wise.

Zaroury / Benson - too lightweight ? Didn’t they say that about Benson last year after his first couple of games ? Last year we were all raving about these 2 and quite rightly so. To say now after the season they both had that 2 players you have hardly seen play are better players doesn’t make much sense to me.

Berge - I agree he was an upgrade but in the deeper role he played yesterday (and in some of the other games) there is zero evidence he is a better player than Cork or Brownhill in that position.

Amdouni - he could he good I agree and he’s done well for Switzerland which does show his quality but on the evidence of this season so far I think Tella would be a better partner for Foster. One of VK’s main tactics is for his centre forward to pick the ball up in deep positions and for players to run beyond him and break the lines. Right now our full backs are failing to do this but Amdouni rarely does this either - he’s often coming deeper than Foster. Tella would not do that - he was probably our fittest player too and he was the one who led the press time and time again.
We are where we are but Foster playing as well as he is with Tella would iMHO be a much better combination than we have had this season.

Ramsey - hopefully you are correct but he’s looked a long way out of his depth this season. And based on his loan spells in the championship it’s hard to see on what basis we have paid the fee we have. He would not have got near our team last year and we paid a fraction of the fees for players who were a lot better than him in the same league.

Hope I am wrong on pretty much all of the above and we know how quickly this can change in football. Confidence is also a massive thing and right now ours is very low and it often impacts on younger players more.

[boyyanno]

If folk think that Harwood bells and tella equate to more points on the board this season, I think you're being a bit naive. If I have any criticism of VK it's the amount of rotation due to so many signings in forward positions. But would I rather have amdouni or tella? Probably amdouni. Would Harwood bellis be a huge upgrade on beyer/Al dakhil? Don't think so.

Maatsen was a big miss, but probably doesn't help us defensively. Our biggest problem this season is we don't know our best 11, and we definitely have a bit of imbalance in wide positions. It's far too early to write the likes of Tresor off, or ramsay. But with all the other talent in forward positions how do we give enough game time to each to know who should start? Especially without alienating half of them (larsen, benson, zaroury etc) I also hope massengo gets a chance because he's a scrapper and a ball winner. We don't have that in the side ATM. With Trafford, perhaps it wasn't the right decision to start him, but writing him off is a huge mistake. He's massively rated and so young, after a quarter of the season you can't call him a waste of money. In fact muric had a lot of criticism around this time last year a level lower where we had 80% of the ball

In short, we haven't a clue which is the better 11 because none of them have played enough games. But that is a problem, we need to find out.

I disagree personally and I find your use of the word naive very ironic.

I'd say it's naive to split up a winning side that was playing well in favour for new flashy talent and hope they pick up where we left off. Personally think Tella would offer more end product than Koleosho, Odebert and Tresor at the moment but then again I also think the same about Redmond.

Lots of people seem to be enamoured with players like Amdouni who look good on the ball but are contributing very little to the cause at the moment.

[SouthLondonexile]

You know I would agree with this. Hardwood Bellis, Maatsen and Beyer at the back would, mostly likely with Tella up front, have beaten this Brentford side. It is no exaggeration to say that Brentford might have been 12 - 0 up at half- time but for a few good saves from Trafford and our good fortune.

[Blatherwickstattoo]

You know I would agree with this. Hardwood Bellis, Maatsen and Beyer at the back would, mostly likely with Tella up front, have beaten this Brentford side. It is no exaggeration to say that Brentford might have been 12 - 0 up at half- time but for a few good saves from Trafford and our good fortune.

Don’t forget Muric and his passing abilities too

[RVclaret]

It’s all about opinion I know but it’s difficult to see what you are basing a lot of the above on.

Trafford / Muric debate I agree is hard to call but for me Muric deserves his chance now after an abject display yesterday from Trafford. I don’t go for this it would have been a cricket score without him - some of their finishing was atrocious and Trafford on 2 or 3 occasions at least nearly made a mess of some straightforward saves.

THB - think most of us have seen him play for Burnley last year and as u21 skipper. We’ve not seen him play against premier league opposition but I am really struggling to see how or when you have seen O Shea or Delcroix play to come up with an opinion they are better. And with Al D costing us at least one goal a game I find it hard to believe THB would not be in front of him selection wise.

Zaroury / Benson - too lightweight ? Didn’t they say that about Benson last year after his first couple of games ? Last year we were all raving about these 2 and quite rightly so. To say now after the season they both had that 2 players you have hardly seen play are better players doesn’t make much sense to me.

Berge - I agree he was an upgrade but in the deeper role he played yesterday (and in some of the other games) there is zero evidence he is a better player than Cork or Brownhill in that position.

Amdouni - he could he good I agree and he’s done well for Switzerland which does show his quality but on the evidence of this season so far I think Tella would be a better partner for Foster. One of VK’s main tactics is for his centre forward to pick the ball up in deep positions and for players to run beyond him and break the lines. Right now our full backs are failing to do this but Amdouni rarely does this either - he’s often coming deeper than Foster. Tella would not do that - he was probably our fittest player too and he was the one who led the press time and time again.
We are where we are but Foster playing as well as he is with Tella would iMHO be a much better combination than we have had this season.

Ramsey - hopefully you are correct but he’s looked a long way out of his depth this season. And based on his loan spells in the championship it’s hard to see on what basis we have paid the fee we have. He would not have got near our team last year and we paid a fraction of the fees for players who were a lot better than him in the same league.

Hope I am wrong on pretty much all of the above and we know how quickly this can change in football. Confidence is also a massive thing and right now ours is very low and it often impacts on younger players more.

Berge did not play a deeper role yesterday. Amdouni played deeper than him. It’s tactical from the manager re. not seeing the Tella runs from Amdouni as he’s playing as a central midfielder. How are people not seeing the system?

[ksrclaret]

Berge did not play a deeper role yesterday. Amdouni played deeper than him. It’s tactical from the manager re. not seeing the Tella runs from Amdouni as he’s playing as a central midfielder. How are people not seeing the system?

I think everyone can look at an average positions map and see the system.

Just because Amdouni was playing as a CM (totally bizarre given he offers absolutely nothing in defence), doesn't mean he shouldn't be looking to get ahead of Foster on occasion. Teams that play 3 in CM rely on at least one of them getting very close to the CF.

[KRBFC]

I don’t think last seasons 11 was stronger on paper but it certainly played better football and would rip this current team a new arsehole.

If I could ask VK one question I would ask him why he’s completely abandoned his way of playing that made us so successful last season.

Forget players, We are not even playing close to the same system, VK has just abandoned everything that made us good. The inverted fullback has gone, the high fullback has gone. Cullen dropping into fullback has gone. The press has gone.

[KRBFC]

Everything tactically that made us a good side has gone and now we look like a bunch of strangers with zero identity.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Everything tactically that made us a good side has gone and now we look like a bunch of strangers with zero identity.

Exactly this. We pressed all over the pitch last season where on earth has that gone? That should be a minimum requirement in our set up.

[KRBFC]

Exactly this. We pressed all over the pitch last season where on earth has that gone? That should be a minimum requirement in our set up.

I really enjoyed the tactical depth of last season, little tweaks in game that worked really well. Was looking forward to seeing that style in the PL, we abandoned it before a ball was kicked and I’m not sure why. Identity crisis

[Dark Cloud]

I can't help feeling that (with hindsight) we could have saved some of the cash we chucked around when signing one or two of our speedy wingers and spent it on Johnny Evans' (not inconsiderable) wages. That could have made a huge, huge difference (imo) Notwithstanding that Evans obviously has no "sell on" value.

[Colburn_Claret]

Weaker opposition

[KRBFC]

Roberts inverted with Maatsen high and wide, Cullen dropping into left back. Zaroury freedom to come inside with Maatsen providing the width. Press from the front in packs to win the ball high.

Later in the season Maatsen inverted and Roberts was given licence to get forward, Roberts scored a few goals in that role, has Roberts even been out of his own half this season?

Not even sure what we’re trying to do now, pass between the defenders then hoof from Trafford? We certainly aren’t a passing team anymore.

I’d rather we went down playing our way that’s for sure.

[RVclaret]

Roberts inverted with Maatsen high and wide, Cullen dropping into left back. Zaroury freedom to come inside with Maatsen providing the width. Press from the front in packs to win the ball high.

Later in the season Maatsen inverted and Roberts was given licence to get forward, Roberts scored a few goals in that role, has Roberts even been out of his own half this season?

Not even sure what we’re trying to do now, pass between the defenders then hoof from Trafford? We certainly aren’t a passing team anymore.

I’d rather we went down playing our way that’s for sure.

I get your point and kinda agree, but I dont think its quite clicked for most just how big the gap is between doing all the above away at Coventry and Hull, and doing it at Newcastle and Brentford. The pressing intensity, tactical set ups and just everything is so many levels above. I mean we tried all that last season at City and lost 6-0? Yes we need to get better, that’s clear, but these comparisons need some reality to them as well.

[Big Vinny K]

Berge did not play a deeper role yesterday. Amdouni played deeper than him. It’s tactical from the manager re. not seeing the Tella runs from Amdouni as he’s playing as a central midfielder. How are people not seeing the system?

He definitely played deeper yesterday - as he has done before when Brownhill is benched. And in pretty much every game when he has more defensive work to do he has been poorer.
I know where Amdouni is playing - I’m saying it’s clearly not as effective this season playing this formation with him in it.
I have no idea what VK is trying to achieve by not having players run beyond Foster and yet still playing the same type of football at the back. One of the reasons Foster is looking so good this year is because he is admirably trying to do the job of 2 or 3 players.
Tella would also often pull out wide - Foster is doing that now. But how many times have we seen Amdouni try and get into the box when Foster goes wide ?

I get that VK is trying to recognise that we are playing in a massively better league and change the players and tactics to account for this. But it’s difficult to see how the players he is picking and the formation he is playing can serve us any better. It could and should have been 7 or 8 nil yesterday. I can’t believe anyone watching that game thinks there was any point in that game that we looked anything other than out of our depth.
I have and still am w big advocate or VK and in no way do I think we need to consider getting rid of him but for large parts of that game yesterday we looked every bit as bad as Sheffield United did against Newcastle and some of the defending was comical.

[CoolClaret]

Said it many a time but there’s more to building a team and squad than purchasing players that may be/have the potential to be ‘better’ according to whatever scouting data, plonking them all in the side at once then scratching your head when the team has no cohesion, identity and connection to the fans.

It’s rookie stuff from the Manager and board; one of the reasons it did work last season (after taking a short while to click) is because of a significant presence of our older heads throughout the spine of the team.

[bf2k]

The way I look at the THB debate is he’s back in the championship this season. No Premier League takes. Not even us.

[Blatherwickstattoo]

Roberts inverted with Maatsen high and wide, Cullen dropping into left back. Zaroury freedom to come inside with Maatsen providing the width. Press from the front in packs to win the ball high.

Later in the season Maatsen inverted and Roberts was given licence to get forward, Roberts scored a few goals in that role, has Roberts even been out of his own half this season?

Not even sure what we’re trying to do now, pass between the defenders then hoof from Trafford? We certainly aren’t a passing team anymore.



I’d rather we went down playing our way that’s for sure.

Exactly this ^

[KRBFC]

I get your point and kinda agree, but I dont think its quite clicked for most just how big the gap is between doing all the above away at Coventry and Hull, and doing it at Newcastle and Brentford. The pressing intensity, tactical set ups and just everything is so many levels above. I mean we tried all that last season at City and lost 6-0? Yes we need to get better, that’s clear, but these comparisons need some reality to them as well.

I just don’t see the point in getting promoted with 100+ points then entirely ripping up everything that made us successful, I mean what have we replaced it with? I don’t see what we’re trying to achieve

[RVclaret]

He definitely played deeper yesterday - as he has done before when Brownhill is benched. And in pretty much every game when he has more defensive work to do he has been poorer.
I know where Amdouni is playing - I’m saying it’s clearly not as effective this season playing this formation with him in it.
I have no idea what VK is trying to achieve by not having players run beyond Foster and yet still playing the same type of football at the back. One of the reasons Foster is looking so good this year is because he is admirably trying to do the job of 2 or 3 players.
Tella would also often pull out wide - Foster is doing that now. But how many times have we seen Amdouni try and get into the box when Foster goes wide ?

I get that VK is trying to recognise that we are playing in a massively better league and change the players and tactics to account for this. But it’s difficult to see how the players he is picking and the formation he is playing can serve us any better. It could and should have been 7 or 8 nil yesterday. I can’t believe anyone watching that game thinks there was any point in that game that we looked anything other than out of our depth.
I have and still am w big advocate or VK and in no way do I think we need to consider getting rid of him but for large parts of that game yesterday we looked every bit as bad as Sheffield United did against Newcastle and some of the defending was comical.

Can’t agree Berge played deeper, as the above graphic highlights. At Luton he was deeper than Brownhill in the same graphic. Our fans seem to think he’s been playing the ‘10’ role which is bizarre.

I’d say when it was 1-0 for the first 20 min of the second half we looked pretty good (not out of our depth as you suggested) and the stats showed in the second half we had more shots, higher xG and higher possession. First 10 mins of the 2nd half we had 80% possession, it was relatively dominant and we had them pinned in. Unfortunately you always had a feeling they would get a good chance and likely take it.

Agree on some of the defending being completely comical and first half in general being woeful (lucky it wasn’t 3-0).

[Big Vinny K]

Can’t agree Berge played deeper, as the above graphic highlights. At Luton he was deeper than Brownhill in the same graphic. Our fans seem to think he’s been playing the ‘10’ role which is bizarre.

I’d say when it was 1-0 for the first 20 min of the second half we looked pretty good (not out of our depth as you suggested) and the stats showed in the second half we had more shots, higher xG and higher possession. First 10 mins of the 2nd half we had 80% possession, it was relatively dominant and we had them pinned in. Unfortunately you always had a feeling they would get a good chance and likely take it.

Agree on some of the defending being completely comical and first half in general being woeful (lucky it wasn’t 3-0).

The graphic does not show where he was supposed to be playing !!
Without Brownhill his job is to defend more and pick up a man. Look at the number of goals that we have conceded because he has not been near his man in games when Brownhill has not played. And there is no way in a million years Amdouni is going to cover for him irrespective of whether he is deeper than Berge at times.

If a players weakness is in his defensive duties then this is not the league to expose them. Which means if you start Berge then he either plays instead of Amdouni (fine by me ) and / or you play Brownhill or anybody else who knows he has to pick up a man and go with runners etc.

The balance of the side is clearly not right.

If our xg ratings were better than there’s in the second half that tells you more about this statistic than it does about how we played.
They battered us.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

The way I look at the THB debate is he’s back in the championship this season. No Premier League takes. Not even us.

I’d take him over what I’ve seen so far of O’Shea and Delcroix. Even Al Dakhil looks like a player going backwards on current form.