04 Oct 2025 22:43:40
A few takeaways from the game and my thoughts on how to improve. I'd like others opinions and thoughts
1- go with a diamond midfield with Wirtz 10, Dom and Jones behind (Macca still not up to speed and Joneses energy to cover his wing) don't bomb forward, play a more supporting role and allow space for the attackers to operate.
This allows us to play 2 of the best strikers in league together. Gakpo can play left forward as a sub, won't have the current issue of poor decision making playing on the defenders shoulder and Mo not producing any semblance of his previous self also a sub, if only for a game or 2. But can play right forward IMO
2- Grave can then sit deeper to protect our exposed defence
3- should give more midfield control
4- hopefully give more space for Wirtz to operate in
5- allow our fullbacks space to play to their strengths
All in all, we are playing too slow atm. Especially the first half of games. Which tells me Arne is either looking for this style of play or isn't getting the response needed from the players. Either 1 is concerning to me.
04 Oct 2025 23:33:17
This!
Our fullbacks can then play to their strengths, giving width, overlapping and putting crosses in or cutting back.
Can easily go into a 442/ 451 when defending.
05 Oct 2025 00:11:51
Slot insists on a slow controlled build-up first half, followed by a little more intensity after halftime and we only really start playing in the last 15. It is cautious, and might well preserve energy, but it is quite frankly boring for the most part. Not one shot on target first half says it all.
Personally, i would prefer we went all out to win early and defend our lead, rather than grind the opposition down with sideways passing then hoping they are too tired to stop us scoring late on. I feel we got what we deserved today.
05 Oct 2025 00:44:48
For me, Slot has messed up big time, play to our strengths, don't make us weaker, hard to believe so many basic parts of the game have gone wrong, first one is raise the tempo, way too slow build up, bring in players that fit in, stop putting an important midfielder at full back when you have a full back as a Sub.
05 Oct 2025 01:39:42
Some players that can tackle and pass to a team mate would have nice.
How can a soft arse midfield end up making up half the back four?
05 Oct 2025 06:58:27
I know Macca has pedigree, but the way Slot is using him is so contradictory to how he’s used someone like say, Chiesa who also had no pre-season last year and then barely featured.