30 Aug 2024 23:31:14
I'm looking forward to all the "we need to sign a dm" chatter to stop.
Just a shame it will be replaced with "why didn't we sign a DM"
Despite slot never showing at all that a DM is part of his tactics either here or in Netherlands as well.
30 Aug 2024 23:46:30
Although we may not have needed a dm we most definitely needed strength in depth. We have a decent 12 or so players but injuries will hamper our season and our weaknesses will show at the end of the season again if we are unlucky with said injuries to our main group of players which hasn't been addressed. That's the way I see it. Hope I'm wrong though.
31 Aug 2024 00:11:32
DM is a pigeon hole. I think we needed a player who defends incredibly well and passes incredibly well. A Xabi Alonso type. We don't have anything close to that level of player in our squad. Perhaps Trent but I have yet to see Trent play a good game in the middle. Whereas he is on fire at rb to start the season. I'm excited by Gravs start but he is not that type either. Jones can't be relied on. And not that type either. We didn't do it and I'll live with it. If there's injuries to either Grav or Macca, receiving the ball in those areas would be a weakness for Endo and even Szobo if he goes back there. With this style of play we only got Jones/ Grav and Macca who I would trust. One is already injury prone. And Grav is not exactly the type of player I like for the role either but he is showing signs of growing into it so let's see. We'll truck on. What's done is done. Hopefully we keep those guys fit or Maybe Trent could step up in that position if needed. Perhaps although he has shown signs of getting caught in those areas when he plays midfield too. There's definitely an upgrade possibilty there.
CB. I think we got four good players there. Do we have a fifth choice? Maybe I just have nightmares still about that one season. Hopefully we are ok there.
All in all. Grav is showing good signs. Players are fit and we won our two games. I know I complain a lot mostly because I'm flabbergasted by the contracts situation handling and the planning philosophy of this DOF.
If all three are not signing, I would have sold one this season to limit the blow. Hughes just kicked the can down the road. It would have hurt to lose one but with proper planning we could have tackled one area this year. If it is all three are leaving and he must have a very good idea of the situation, it's insane how it's been handled.
I just hope we have one or two of those contracts sorted in the coming weeks so this window makes a little sense from that perspective.
Let's see I guess.
Anyway, thank God that frustrating window is over and I can forget about that clown we hired for a while.
Going to concentrate now on the footy and take a more positive view because that side has started really positively.
31 Aug 2024 01:05:06
To quote Ed002, Nevada.
“{Ed002's Note - I disagree. Slot typically used 4-2-3-1 (or 2-4-3-1) using two DM players in games - Max Waiffer and Ramiz Zerrouki - what one might call the Double Dutch system. }“
Slot always played with a defensive midfielder, in fact two, as Ed002 pointed out. The fact we don’t have a top class one will be what costs us, again.
{Ed001's Note - sorry but he doesn't. They are not defensive mids. Not in the sense you mean. Just like Zubimendi isn't. The Dutch use possession for defensive purposes. Their 'defensive' mids are there to keep the ball and keep it moving. Usually one or both full-backs would invert to become the defensive mid - just like we saw at times in the first couple of games, when Trent inverted, freeing up Mac Allister to get further forward, rather than playing as a DM.}
31 Aug 2024 01:25:38
A well balanced post Davey, well said mate.
31 Aug 2024 04:30:24
Slot never coached in the Premier League, maybe he'll change his tactics accordingly.
{Ed001's Note - he may well do, but he hasn't yet, so buying a player just in case he changes tactics at some unspecified point in the future would be a bit stupid.}
31 Aug 2024 05:39:08
We tried to sign Zubimendi, and left talks with Varela until too late, so it’s clear that the club (and perhaps Slot? ) felt like it was an area in need of reinforcing, that we didn’t is either the clubs hierarchy failing at their job, or being too tight money wise. Neither one is good enough for a club looking to challenge on all fronts. Optimism is up now so people feel like everything is good - wait for a few adverse results, or a few injuries to come into play, people will be singing a different tune very quickky.
31 Aug 2024 07:13:38
“The Dutch use possession for defensive purposes”.
Finally This! When Van Gaal was at Ajax, this is exactly what he did. Cruyff used to do this at Barcelona and Peo dies it at City. Must be an Ajax thing. Also, it’s funny that we have fans who have never coached a day in their lives dictating to a successful manager what type of player he should get despite not ever using nor needing said type of player. I find that weird, as heck.
And yes, signing a type of player in case his tactics evolves over time in the future is just absolute nuts.
31 Aug 2024 08:26:30
Or Seano, the player chose to stay at his club, as is his right in terms of Zubimendi.
31 Aug 2024 08:33:20
The Dutch use possession for defensive purposes”.
Ed I have to call you up on this.
Ten Hag uses Maguire and Johnny Evans for his defensive purposes ?. I think that’s more possessed by the the Ghost of Gareth Southgate than it is possession.
{Ed001's Note - not out of choice though. He brought in De Ligt for his ability on the ball.}
31 Aug 2024 08:43:25
That’s why you have back up plans Oli, that’s why you make contingencies for when situations change, but we were so slow and cumbersome in the transfer market we didn’t do it. It’s incompetence and/ or lack of investment, and neither should be glossed over with these ridiculous counter arguments like “the squads as strong as when we won the premier league” or “fans are like kids they just want shiny new toys”. The club knew they needed to strengthen, they didn’t, that’s a failure. As Ed002 said lessons need to be learned or, in my opinion, more competent personnel needs to be found.
31 Aug 2024 09:09:48
Ed001 was tongue in cheek mate.
Ten Hag is a weird one. Some of the stuff he comes out with before and after games seems like pure waffle. And everytime I’ve seen Utd it’s hard to make out what they are trying to do playing wise.
In regards to Slot usually find press conferences boring but his are really good and informative.
{Ed001's Note - I know mate, I meant to say I thought it was funny. Ten Hag just seems like a man who is fighting fires, knowing that he is only there until they find the man they actually want.}
31 Aug 2024 10:38:45
Absolutely Ed1. We have a very good DM in Endo but there’s no room for him in the team because we don’t play with a tradition DM.
There’s also this narrative about a CB but we have 4 quality players for 2 positions. I get that Konate has struggled with injuries but do we really need to go out and splash £60m on a CB just in case of 3 injuries to our CBs?
I also get that we need to replace VVD at some point and maybe they have someone in mind that just wasn’t available in this window. Anyhow it’s not essential in this window and will be big shoes to fill.
P1 says we have 12 good players which is nonsense. We actually have quality replacements in every position right now. The only position I’d say we may be a bit short is LB but Tsimikas, although not amazing is good enough for the odd game as long as Robbo isn’t injured for a long time.
We definitely have enough to see us through until January when Slot will have a much better idea of what he needs and what positions can be improved on.
Next summer I’d expect us to be a lot more active in the market too as Slot starts to put his own stamp on the squad. To do that now would be a mistake in my opinion.