07 May 2024 10:38:35
Question for Ed001 or other Slot watchers.

In the coaching that he has done to date, is he a coach who adapts his tactics based on the players he has or does he have a system that he tends to stick to?

I know he has played 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 but I'm wondering how adaptable he is? In my mind, the best coaches are the ones who adapt, either to the players they have or even mid-game based on the oppo and how the team is doing.

The Darwin conversations over the last few days/ weeks have made me muse on this point. Ron's post from a few weeks back, where he said we are not playing to Darwin's strengths, made me wonder on this.

For the last 6-7 years we had been set up to play with Mane and Salah being our primary goal threats from wide, with Firmino having almost a secondary role.

Mane's gone, Firmino's gone and there's every chance that Salah will be gone by the end of the window too.

I wonder if making Darwin the focal point of our attack, a la Kane for example, would a) be a better system for us (so if Darwin still can't perform, we will find another striker to be the focal point) and b) continue our evolution beyond probably our most potent front 3 for at least 30-40 years.

In my opinion, if Slot is adaptable, I can see Darwin being given one more season - he's in contract until 2026.

{Ed001's Note - I don't actually know, I have only seen a little of him. It is difficult to get Dutch footie here.}

1.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 11:09:21
I don't think Nunez can do what Kane does. He's nowhere near good enough with his back to goal. Gakpo is better at it but he's no Harry Kane.
I'd keep Salah for at least another season and try to build a team round TAA not Darwin Nunez.

2.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 11:57:46
Don’t watch Dutch footy but from research it appears Slot likes the cut backs, similar to how Pep had City scoring during the Sterling, Sane days. That might suit Nunez as he has less time to think, and once he is scoring his confidence will go up as a result and that’s when you see a different player.

Nunez is a tricky one. I think it would be a big risk to build a team around him. Im happy to keep him but also happy to sell to raise funds. But if pushed and it was down to me I would sell him, along with Diaz and Jota (injuries) . I would keep Salah, Gakpo and Danns.

Salah should be moved centrally and we should buy a pact right winger who can score to rotate with Elliott depending on the opposition. Szobo should play as a left inside forward or central attacking mid i. Slot’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Gakpo is capable playing with his back to goal and as a central striker, but equally as good as a left inside forward with allows for flexibility and rotation. This also gives Danns time to be integrated into the first team for when Salah eventually goes in a year or two.

3.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 11:59:44
What's up, @Zed. Hope you're doing well. Never seen Feyenoord play a minute of footie under Slot however, you are correct that he plays a 4-2-3-2 ( a variation of the Dutch version of their famed 4-3-3).

He likes to press high, play high intensity and uses his wingers very well. In fact, he loves wingers to death so Diaz and Gakpo would be excited about that. However, Slot is a Guardiola disciple hence, loves his team to have the ball a lot and loves inverting his FB's (Yay, really looking forward to that, lol) .

As for Darwin, Kane would not be the one to compare him to cos whatever we may think of Kane BUT as a footballer and a CF, he is absolutely immense. The guy can do everything even playing in the 10. Now even tho I think the abuse (football wise) that Darwin gets is a bit OTT and frankly, a bit tired cos the jokes are stale, I do believe we need to be playing to his strengths a bit more. Also, it is possible to build a team around him cos well, Benfica did it and and Bielsa with Uruguay is doing it now and he flourished/ flourishing in both situations cos both teams actually play/ played to his strengths.

Would I do that? No. He has to improve in several facets of his game to be that focal point, IMO.

{Ed002's Note - 4-2-3-2 it is then.}

4.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 13:09:10
Ed002, I take it you didn't see Alisson's header against West Brom then? ?.

5.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 13:10:54
So Oli, is Alisson going to be playing in defence or up top?

6.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 13:18:32
To be fair a 4-2-3-2 formation is going to solve a lot of our problems ??.

7.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 13:44:32
I love a 4-2-3-2, me.

In all seriousness, I have no idea about how Slot plays but rumours are he does still like to build from deep and use inverted fullbacks on occasion. That suggests it is not rock and roll Klopp 1.0 and more like Klopp 2.0.

Personally, I would keep Darwin and hope that Slot does a better job of coaching our forwards. With Darwin, it's not as if the games are passing him by or that he is ballooning attempts high and wide. His assist execution is pretty good too, in fact better than some of the others. Therefore, I would work on his finishing choices and composure. It should be a coaches dream to be able to work with these raw assets. He has all of the ingredients to be like his compatriot Cavani.

While I have no evidence of it, I am not convinced our current coaches are working with the forwards to improve their interplay or decision making. We were probably spoilt by the fact that Firmino was as cool AF.

8.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 13:46:43
Damn fat-finger, lol.

9.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 14:30:11
Slot already signing refs?

10.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 15:25:14
“sell him (Nunez), along with Diaz and Jota (injuries) . I would keep Salah, Gakpo and Danns.

Alonso- interesting take!

Usually agree with you on most things but on this one I disagree.

Salah should go for me - looks like he’s just playing for himself, he’s lost a yard of pace, not playing well for most of the season (despite scoring goals) and probably still our most lucrative sale to rebuild the forward position.

Diaz - in my view he’s one i’d definitely keep! Always looking for the ball, always shows for it even in the big games and when the pressure is on, a true battler and hardworking player and one of the few players we have that can take on a defender. If we lose him I don’t think we have that ball carrier anymore.

Jota - seems to divide opinion but imo he’s our best finisher and always looks like he will score when he plays- an invaluable skill to have in games where you need a goal

Danns - too early to tell, still a child.

Gakpo - I can’t decide on. Blows very hot and cold. Maybe slot can get the best out of him. Has the ability to link the play which we miss otherwise.

11.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 17:59:47
From general observations it seems Slot likes to use width and he likes to play quick one touch passing (a la Thiago) to break the lines.

We’re going to need very technical players - good for Bajcetic, Mac Allister and Elliott.

That’s all I could realistically put my finger on in terms of style.

The old 4-2-3-2 is a favourite for sure.

12.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 18:16:34
Thanks for the replies.

I favour the 4-2-3-2 myself. Maybe Stephane Henchoz could come out of retirement as our rush goalie? I remember his handling in the box was impeccable at the 2001 FA Cup final!

13.) 07 May 2024
07 May 2024 22:30:25
In my opinion, if Diaz leaves, Nunez should be the replacement. Then perhaps one forward in to fill the front spot.

I think Nunez can be better playing as a winger.

I hope he stays. I really think he can be way way better.

14.) 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 01:39:05
Jose Mouriniho did say . we will play without keepers in the future n the first one to do it will be called a genius . so that 4232 might be right . well. one day.

15.) 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 02:39:29
By focal point, are we saying that he plays more like a traditional 9 and play more direct off the shoulder?

If that is the case, then yes, I would like that for Nunez. I think Gakpo gives us better flexibility if we are playing more fluid across the front 3.

16.) 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 04:04:13
Personally, id like to see a 5-4-3-2-1 formation just so the Kop could sing the Manfred Mann song in support.

17.) 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 08:03:18
They would have to fundamentally change the laws of the game to “play without a goalkeeper”.
Totally disagree with Mourinho, the first person to do it will be branded a moron or an arrogant fool.

{Ed001's Note - Mourinho never actually said to play without a goalkeeper. He said to take off a goalkeeper near the end when the team needs a goal and replace with an attacking player or even a playmaker to get on the ball from deep.}

18.) 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 11:03:46
If we play 4 - 2 - 3 - 2 and play a goalkeeper too, doesn’t that mean we’d have 12 players on the pitch?

19.) 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 20:44:29
Thanks Ed001, completely different to what was suggested on earlier posts.

{Ed001's Note - I actually watched the interview just a day or so ago and remember thinking it actually makes sense to play a player who can just get on the ball on the halfway line and allow the rest to push up further. But he was certainly not advocating for the removal of keepers from teams for 90 minutes.}