14 Aug 2023 08:59:39
Hi Reds, don't want to be negative but I'm not sure a DM would alter how easily we were played through Vs Chelsea.

In the wide areas we look so vulnerable. For a long time including last season it's been the same problem. Our tactics look dodgy and I'm not sure any amount of new players solve that.

On the bright side it's only 1 game in and we haven't lost ?.

1.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 09:58:54
I think it would have because it has a knock on effect. The others will play in the proper positions and do what they are better at which makes us overall more effective. We would have had Macca higher up and probable Gabpo would have started in the 9. I think we would have been more balanced.

2.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 09:59:18
I think our left side looked vulnerable because our left midfielder is our best striker and not a left midfielder and because despite that robbo continued to make bombing overlaps into the attacking 3rd instead of leaving Diaz and Gakpo to do that. I love robbo but if we're playing with 2 forwards on our left side then he simply has to stay in position.

He also needs to stop turning his back on every cross they send in and actually try and block one. The other side is going to be open because trent is being asked to play 2 positions and that is dificult enough without also ending up on the left wing sometimes. We desperately need a mobile dm with good positional awareness. This will allow Mac Allister to play alongside and go forward when needed and gakpo to play false 9 where he is best.

3.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 10:39:50
The balance was off without a DM, Mac had to play deeper and we lacked the pressure high up the pitch across the game.

4.) 14 Aug 2023
14 Aug 2023 13:35:54
It was the same story last season with Fabinho playing mind. nothing new.

Chelsea had joy down our left side first half but second half most of their chances came down the right. The amount of crosses we allowed ridiculous too.

Fingers crossed a DM solves that but I think there’s more to it that, maybe a tactical change like going 3 at the back. In which case we would need a LCB ?‍♂️.