01 Mar 2026 12:23:03
That was a nice change of pace. Super happy with the win not too much to complain about other than not getting stuck into challenges still, but happy to see the motivation back.
01 Mar 2026 12:54:43
I have a theory on the lack of challenges, getting stuck in.
Only Arne can really answer. I wonder/speculate that it's possible he is implementing the system the Dutch national side used some years ago.
If memory serves me correctly, Jack Charlton's Irish team played the Dutch (may even have been at Anfield). The amazing stat that stood out, and was discussed in the press after the match, was that the Dutch did not tackle; they cut the passing lines, and the Dutch won.
Any guys out there recall this game and the press coverage where JC talked about it?
Also, I think, to a degree, Slot is emulating Barca's midfield in the way that the regular starters in their CM area are ball players: Pedri (fantastic player) and Frankie DJ.
Neither are a 6, but both can protect, turn, and distribute under pressure. Grav can, but as it can show with Barca, when either Pedri or FDJ are missing, they get caught playing out from the back or can lack punch in attack due to this.
So, with the view that we are missing a 6, maybe we are looking at a similar style; we just need a ball-playing CM who can, whilst under a press, turn and distribute to someone forward.
01 Mar 2026 13:58:24
That was a magic Dutch team against a team long past their best. I get your point though. Macca got them back a few years later, and off we went to the World Cup, so justice was had.
01 Mar 2026 14:17:55
Jack Charlton's Irish team wouldn't exactly be passing through the middle; usually it was up to Quinn or Cascarino for the nod-downs/flick-ons, from what I remember, but it was a long time ago and I was only young.
01 Mar 2026 14:21:24
That's a good observation, Kew.
Regarding tackles, maybe that is the reason; I cannot say, but I don't think it can work in the Premier League.
Regarding the No. 6, I agree with you that it is the type of profile looked at, even though I would prefer the "destroyer" type, kind of like Fabinho was, but that won't happen.
Now, my question is: who would be better playing the way you are saying? Wharton? Anderson? Stiller? Is there anyone else who could play that way and that will/could be moving?
01 Mar 2026 14:55:31
Pedri is an absolutely amazing player, but he is also a generational player, imo. He can press, he can dribble, he can create, and he's also quite strong and hard to push off the ball despite being small and thin. He's also been able to maintain fitness after some injury worries previously.
Frenkie de Jong, on the other hand, really isn't that good. In my eyes he is like a Dutch Joe Allen; he offers very little in terms of penetration and is just there to keep the ball ticking. He is always found wanting positionally as well. In my opinion, Gravenberch is twice the player he is. Grav is defensively much stronger, has much better positional awareness, is more athletic, and carries the ball better. If Grav was made to stay deeper, he would again be recognised as one of the best midfielders in the world in that role, if not the best. Grav's one major weakness is his passing. When he's not turning in tight spaces to carry the ball forward and is left with space to pick a pass through the lines, he just can't do it and has no idea what to do, and often passes the ball sideways or backwards.
I think we need a passer who can stay deep and spray the ball next to Grav if Grav is going to keep marauding forward next year, that would replace Trent in the team and give us more security on the break. That would be Stiller for me, but Wharton would do, despite being way more expensive and more injury prone.
Anderson is a magnificent player, but he is an all-action 8, sort of like what Macca has been for us. If we are going to persist with a Macca Grav sort of pivot, then Anderson would be a good replacement, given he is way more mobile than Macca is and just as willing to get stuck in. He is also a super underrated player on the ball and in small spaces, though he is a bit average in terms of passing range and vision. Good at set pieces too.
01 Mar 2026 15:19:14
Talking of tackling, from my early years (late 80's) of playing, I was taught hard but fair! (That's why we wore Sondico shinnies!) So-called "destroyers" and players that "put the boot in" are being slowly eradicated from the game because of VAR (everybody's favorite big brother) watching! Give it 5 or 10 years, you won't be able to slide tackle!
01 Mar 2026 23:14:50
@Rebel - It will happen much quicker than that. I coach, and I no longer teach them how to slide tackle. I am talking to high-level coaches, and they are doing the same. It's not worth it - at best, refs will blow for a free kick regardless of how clean the tackle is, and more likely they will card you.
Better to spend the time teaching them how to intercept, or to body them off the ball.