03 Dec 2025 23:51:30
Ed001 the past couple of games I've been paying attention to the intensity and the uncoordinated press during game and one thing you've got right is the lack of basic fitness from the players. Instead of getting fitter as the season has gone its gotten worse and you can expect the intensity to lull midway during the second half until the side has to chase a goal and even then the lack of fitness and intensity is apparent.
Surely the coaching staff can see that before talent and tactics you are already starting the game on the backfoot in the PL if your opponent is much fitter and physical than you?
{Ed001's Note - you would like to think so, but there has been no sign of it improving, which suggests they can't see it.}
04 Dec 2025 04:14:00
Ed, do you know why, when the ball gets to Gakpo, he always wants to cut inside onto his right foot? It’s either a cross that gets easily cleared by the opposition defenders, a shot that gets blocked, or a sideways pass. It’s really annoying because there are plenty of times when a simple pass to someone overlapping on the outside, especially when Kerkez plays, would be a much better option.
Is that Slot’s instruction, or is that just his built-in default setting?
{Ed001's Note - he is right-footed, it is natural he wants to do that. He can be very effective doing it.}
04 Dec 2025 06:14:02
The only time we showed any effort was when we went a goal down and even then it was so disjointed.
04 Dec 2025 06:46:56
I really don't get why people keep targeting Gakpo at the moment. One of the few players this season that is providing an output in a very malfunctioning team and our second best attacker on numbers alone last season despite everyone pining for Diaz.
Yeah he cuts back a lot, but so does Salah, so did Mane, so did Diaz. It's the whole point of an inside forward playing on their stronger foot towards goal? One of few along Szob who can hold their head up right now in my book.
04 Dec 2025 07:10:53
He’s 6ft 3 and is on the floor more than Macca. Doesn’t make challenges or tackles, twice he pulled out of challenges in space of 30 seconds. One trick pony, all he does is come inside and try and shoot into the top right corner. Not good at passing so things break down or slow down when he gets the ball.
Been at fault for leaving the back post twice against Utd and Palace which has cost us points. Slot was right to hook him at half time but wrong to replace him with Salah as Wirtz and Isak were non existent when Salah came on.
04 Dec 2025 07:47:45
I used to wonder if it was the players or Slot’s tactics that left the winger’s so isolated and basically one dimensional. But hearing his comments about Gakpo after this match it’s clear to that it’s Slot’s tactics.
Gakpo can be effective cutting onto his right, but i wish we had more movement on the wings between wingers, fullback, CM and CF/ CAM. Feels like it’s just give the ball to the wing and then see what they can do.
04 Dec 2025 08:10:52
Was Gakpo good, his stats wouldn't back that up
Touches- 26
Passes completed-7
Passes into final third-0
Dribbles completed-0
Crosses completed-1
Shots taken-1
Duels won-1/ 5.
04 Dec 2025 08:15:13
I have no problem with Gakpo coming inside but it is no going to be as affective if the fullback is allowed to make overlapping runs and create the space for him.