05 Oct 2025 09:47:54
Morning Eds
I can see maybe slot wanted to preserve a little energy as we did completely run out of legs last season but surely the way to do that was add options which we have done as when squad is fully fit we have options in every position, but are you aware of why he has tried to completely change the style that worked so well last season.
Last season we dominated the ball, generally controlled games and recovered well when needed. This season it seems a lot deeper, a lot slept, a lot more ponderous, a lot less control, no burst of pace to get back, no real press at all. Biggest surprise is gravenberch who last season everyone seemed to think was the best six in the league, and this season he is playing a cross between 6/ 8/ 10, just seems a very flawed system. We needed personnel changes but seems the whole system has gone.
{Ed001's Note - he changed because he was expecting teams to have figured out what we did last season and have plans in place to deal with it. You do need to change, but it should have been a gradual evolution and not while trying to bed in half a team.}
05 Oct 2025 10:14:49
Looks like we’re caught between systems and styles, with a team majorly in transition to state the obvious. The main failing seems to be set up and coaching right now, rather than individuals, although a few look well off it. If the coaches aren’t doing the job the senior players need to step up, where are the leaders in this group when things aren’t going well? Aside from VVD I just don’t see it. We need someone in the centre of the pitch to dictate play and show more leadership. Gravs a good player, but not a leader yet. Mac is invisible right now, Szob is another good player and Hungary captain but I’m not sure he has the presence yet for us.
05 Oct 2025 10:22:54
Ed
System wise, would you make changes?
I’ve seen people call for a diamond in midfield. Grav Szob Jones and Wirtz. Whatever front 2 you’d like then up front.
While it sounds good, particularly for the full backs who will be able to do what they do best and Bomb forward.
However, they’d see allot of the ball in that system, and I don’t think they’re good enough on it for that formation to work.
What do you think we need to do?
{Ed001's Note - the last thing we need is to make even more changes. They need time, with a consistent team selection, playing the same system. Diamond would make things worse anyway, as our problem is lack of width, so why would that help when it takes away players from wide areas?}
05 Oct 2025 10:31:18
In my opinion if Slot wants to try a get the best out of Wirtz then we need to play with a better partner beside Grav . So if we only have Endo as a proper DM then so be it. It gives the opportunity for Wirtz to be more creative and actually see if he is up to the task.
I honestly can’t believe what I was watching last night. It’s just a shambles, absolutely no idea what is trying to be achieved ?♂️.
Jones played ok, keeper made a couple of good saves, horrible with his feet tho, a mistake waiting to happen, trust me. It was telling that he started to throw the ball. Just a horrendous game of football. Depressing.
{Ed001's Note - Mamadarshvili is not impressing, he should have saved that first when he got a full hand to it.}
05 Oct 2025 11:31:28
Jesus Ed that’s a bit harsh on marma for the 1st goal it was a belter.
{Ed001's Note - he got a full hand to it, don't care how much of a belter, Ali saves that.}
05 Oct 2025 11:45:03
Ed1 totally agree about the team needing time together. Especially the defense. So it seemed insane to me that we started Dom at RB in CL with three fit players to play RB and then ended the game with Grav and Dom back in defense.
Honestly, I don’t think Slot will make this adjustment. It took him all of last season to realize he needed to rotate more. So Rekon we’ll be riding through this one.
05 Oct 2025 11:49:04
I disagree, Ed01 re/ Marma. He got finger tips to the Caicedo shot but from that close and at that speed, I didn't see him stopping that nor have I seen anyone give him any type of blame for it. I thought Marma was good and did no harm. As for hit kicking, we all knew he had to improve on that and hey if all else fails, boot it long and ask questions later. Now maybe you have more info than I do about him not impressing but that's just my opinion on that.
As for the team, I understand Slot trying to pre-empt things from the start BT it could have been a bit too much too early, as you say. Also, him rotating this early in the season si also a small problem esp. if you are trying to bed in new players in a new system cos it only increases the lack of rhythm that was already going to take time. That is just prolonging the problem of cohesion. We should just get a lineup, stick with it and go from there. And as many have said, if we are going to play Wirtz, you got to put a wall behind him with Szobo and Grav.
{Ed001's Note - he got a hand to it, not fingertips. I don't care if anyone else thinks the same, he should have saved it.}
05 Oct 2025 11:53:26
Agree with you on that Ed. No wish to be hard on him but my first reaction to seeing it hit the net was Alisson is saving that.
{Ed001's Note - you have to save it when you get a hand to it. There is no excuse for not doing so.}
05 Oct 2025 12:10:28
I agree with you Ed1, I'm not convinced by the little I have seen of him. Was gobsmacked to read yesterday on here somebody say he was world class lol.
He may well end up good for us, definitely not writing him off this early but he has to do better.
{Ed001's Note - he makes me nervous.}
05 Oct 2025 12:11:15
Good points Ed.
Really on slot to earn his money now and get this night. definitely an over reaction on our behalf’s though I think.
However, international break, for once, may have come at the right time.
05 Oct 2025 12:19:10
100%, Ed. He got to it, full stop. One issue was that he went for it with his left hand. It was a terrible attempt to save it.
{Ed001's Note - I really do not understand what he was doing.}
05 Oct 2025 12:36:56
Early days but Mamardashvili's nervousness passing the ball under pressure was always going to be a cause for concern for us, it's always been a weakness. I don't know if this affects our back 4's confidence passing the ball back to him, yesterday I think it generally worked out okay in that regard but there were also definitely instances where the absence of Alisson was really felt in that respect. Not that we have any real ideas in build up right now even with Ali in there, mind. I think Mama played reasonably okay yesterday, made one or two routine saves look more difficult than they should be, had a mixed game with his kicking, but otherwise looked steady enough claiming balls in his box.
05 Oct 2025 12:39:23
Agree the goalkeeper should be saving the first goal. Ed01 what’s your thoughts on Robertson for the second goal?
{Ed001's Note - I can't put my thoughts on here due to the language involved! Let's just say I am not happy with him over it. One sprint and he is done. That is shocking.}
05 Oct 2025 13:43:14
do people think Mama should have somehow defied the laws of biomechanics and got his right hand to that shot?
Great shot, got a hand to it. could have saved, or should have saved. either way, it's a great goal. seems odd to criticize him for that particular goal.
{Ed001's Note - laws of biomechanics say it is easier to go with the other arm.}
05 Oct 2025 14:09:36
I was gobsmacked Ed01. To stop running / stop concentrating and put your hands on your knees when they are attacking in the last minute of the game. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. Imagine if Trent had ever done that. Draw would have been a fair result and seen us joint top after a tough run of games and the team still getting used to each other after a huge amount of change in players in key positions. Still think we’ve done well results wise to be only 1 point off top.