01 Oct 2025 21:10:48
Not hard to admit last couple of results have dampened the fans swagger. I'm not too worried ( I don't like it like ) but we've been lucky in all our previous games played some brilliant football in patches. I just hope slot picks a rb and sticks with him let him (who ever he chooses ) play himself into form hopefully that will calm konate down let him build an understanding and also Salah. Pointless calling players crap let's get a run going for when RM rocks up hopefully we hit form in time for them give them a hiding ala Rafa.
01 Oct 2025 21:52:09
Spot on mate.
Watching the game the game last night highlighted the issue for me. The forward line, even tho they are night firing fully they are doing ok. Same could probably be said of the backline, Konate has been woeful but the others if you have Virg, Bradley and Kerkez. Its the midfield that worries me and I think the problem is Gravenberch. Hear me out before jumping on that as I'm not saying he's crap. Last season, he was the one of the midfield 3 that would drop deeper, pick the ball up and let the other 2 in front do what they do best. He also sat deeper, picking the right time to go forward. This season its not the case, he rotates a lot during the game with the other 2 in front of him. Meaning 1 of Dom, Macca, Jones or Wirtz drop in and they are not as good in there at doing what he does. This has been highlighted multiple times by the others being easily dispossed or pressured into a mistake.
So yeah in short, the balance of the midfield is off and not good in transition. Until that is addressed, we will have problems.
Just my thoughts anyway.
01 Oct 2025 22:42:29
Passing the ball to a teammate and not getting caught in possession are the main concerns. We look a long way short in all areas of the pitch. Hopefully we turn it around sharpish.
Go back to basics on Saturday. Full backs Robbo and Gomez, last years 3 in midfield.
01 Oct 2025 23:36:30
I actually agree thefields, if there was one thing I would revert to from last season it would be that Grav stays deeper. He's been good going forward, and could still break a press and drive from deeper, but he seems to be forward a lot more than last season.
Admittedly, that leaves you playing 2 of Szob, Jones, Mac and Wirtz in a 2 in front of him, and there's not a lot of combinations involving Wirtz that would work as a 2, but would still probably be better than the current situation where Wirtz is ending up the deepest of the 3 at times.
01 Oct 2025 23:54:14
I think the current predicament is down to Arne and the staff.
We have some exceptional players who are not gelling. Whether its due to a tweak on the system, new tactics and formation, or whether they are being told to preserve energy at times, the team is not performing to its potential. Both Palace and Gala beat us with aggression and desire when our superior skill-sets should have shone through.
I have full faith that Slot will get the team firing before Xmas but right now he has his work cut out fitting the right pieces together.
02 Oct 2025 00:09:28
Do you think that has anything to do with van Bronckhorst?
02 Oct 2025 01:23:27
Possibly, john, but do we need another scapegoat when we are still in every competition and top of the league in one of them?
Miss me out with that schtick, bro.
02 Oct 2025 08:16:52
I’m not scapegoating vb, I’m just saying new coach new ideas.