Igor the Interim

[braineclipse]

Liverpool were not great but our defensive shape was definitely better than in recent games. Dragusin is not great with the ball at his feet but he is a good "old fashioned" defender who is decent in the air. Danso the same. I also thought the two up front gave the Liverpool back 4 a torrid time. Thought Tel and Sousa were good too. So when we went 0-1 down but continued to create chances while defending pretty well, I was less worried than in previous games. So for me, there were definite green shoots. Hopefully continues next week. And if he keeps us up, I for one will be singing Igor's name.

The way I saw it we created very little from their goal until the latter parts of the first half when we got a much needed chance that I think helped us get some belief back. Had they gotten a second at any point there I think the game would have been over and it would have been another disappointing game.

I too think there were green shoots, just somewhat coincidental that they end up being that visible and that there have been green shoots before under both Frank and Tudor, but we desperately needed to just stop the run of losses first and foremost, get any result, get any positive experience.

 

[braineclipse]

Liverpool were not great but our defensive shape was definitely better than in recent games. Dragusin is not great with the ball at his feet but he is a good "old fashioned" defender who is decent in the air. Danso the same. I also thought the two up front gave the Liverpool back 4 a torrid time. Thought Tel and Sousa were good too. So when we went 0-1 down but continued to create chances while defending pretty well, I was less worried than in previous games. So for me, there were definite green shoots. Hopefully continues next week. And if he keeps us up, I for one will be singing Igor's name.

On Dragusin. I've made my issues with his lack of quality on the ball and in some phases of defending clear in the past.

What imo cannot be questioned is his mentality and that he does whatever he can. Such a strange situation yesterday, Liverpool were clearly leaving him unmarked. Despite that we fairly regularly didn't pass him the ball even though he was the player with the most space and an easy pass to him was on. Given what he does on the ball when he has it I think that makes sense. But it must take real character to be in the middle of that and not let your head drop, not let that effect the rest of your game.

For that and for the defending he does really well, right now, he's an important part of the squad. And although I do hope we have Romero, VdV and Danso available foe the rest of the season Dragusin is a player we can call on and know what we get, know that we get a player that can deal with the circumstances. Had he bee flakier we would have lost yesterday I think.

 

[DeanoAustin]

The way I saw it we created very little from their goal until the latter parts of the first half when we got a much needed chance that I think helped us get some belief back. Had they gotten a second at any point there I think the game would have been over and it would have been another disappointing game.

I too think there were green shoots, just somewhat coincidental that they end up being that visible and that there have been green shoots before under both Frank and Tudor, but we desperately needed to just stop the run of losses first and foremost, get any result, get any positive experience.

Thought we'd a decent chance when Solanke got in behind early on and pulled back for Souza but their defender put in a great block. Souza's effort just after was speculative but a very good hit and we had a decent chance off the corner albeit the ref blew for a foul (unbelievable given what other teams are getting away with). We didn't create much between then and the last 5 mins of the first half but we had probably the best chances of the first half regardless IMO.

Yesterday was as good a performance in the league as I've seen from us in forever from an offensive and defensive point of view. It's an extremely low bar but encouraging nonetheless.

 

[braineclipse]

Thought we'd a decent chance when Solanke got in behind early on and pulled back for Souza but their defender put in a great block. Souza's effort just after was speculative but a very good hit and we had a decent chance off the corner albeit the ref blew for a foul (unbelievable given what other teams are getting away with). We didn't create much between then and the last 5 mins of the first half but we had probably the best chances of the first half regardless IMO.

Yesterday was as good a performance in the league as I've seen from us in forever from an offensive and defensive point of view. It's an extremely low bar but encouraging nonetheless.

Yeah. Up until they scored we were fine/good. And overall absolutely good.

My point is more one about confidence/belief dropping. And how goals can impact that to a massive extent in a situation like this. And had Liverpool scored again in the first half i doubt those positives from the opening 15 would have seen as all that positive in the context of the full game.

Much like there were positives in the Atletico game too. But they get overshadowed by the slips, errors and the loss. We were imo fine in the Atletico game too at first, but us gifting them 3 quick goals kinda makes that seem irrelevant.

 

[Muttley]

Yeah. Up until they scored we were fine/good. And overall absolutely good.

My point is more one about confidence/belief dropping. And how goals can impact that to a massive extent in a situation like this. And had Liverpool scored again in the first half i doubt those positives from the opening 15 would have seen as all that positive in the context of the full game.

Much like there were positives in the Atletico game too. But they get overshadowed by the slips, errors and the loss. We were imo fine in the Atletico game too at first, but us gifting them 3 quick goals kinda makes that seem irrelevant.

Yeah, I think the long period of doom and gloom can mask some of these optimistic moments. The big difference last night was that we actually got a point in a tough away game. If we had played like that and conceded a late, late goal then it would have felt different.

We apparently have Romero, VDV, Palhinha, Gallager and Udogie back next weekend. I thought young Olusesi was outstanding when he came on. Including him, we had 14 first teamers who gave a good account of themselves at Anfield. Add the other 5 back and we're almost back to a pretty competitive match day squad.

Next weekends team and tactics will be intriguing.

 

[Rafa87]

Important bit for me is keep it the same, if we get a player or two back this week, don’t switch back to 3 at the back or anything else.

We looked better yesterday, keep the 4-4-2 and let’s have some extra strength on the bench if available.

 

[braineclipse]

Yeah, I think the long period of doom and gloom can mask some of these optimistic moments. The big difference last night was that we actually got a point in a tough away game. If we had played like that and conceded a late, late goal then it would have felt different.

We apparently have Romero, VDV, Palhinha, Gallager and Udogie back next weekend. I thought young Olusesi was outstanding when he came on. Including him, we had 14 first teamers who gave a good account of themselves at Anfield. Add the other 5 back and we're almost back to a pretty competitive match day squad.

Next weekends team and tactics will be intriguing.

Absolutely on all of that. Hope we stick with Sarr and Gray personally. If Tudor sticks with a back 4 will be interesting to see who he plays on the right. Souza did alright there against Liverpool. Gallagher less so when played there. Muani to me should be an impact sub for now at least.

Will have to be careful with Udogie this time around.

Will also be interesting to see what Tudor does on Wednesday. I mean we're three goals down, but stranger things have happened. At the same time the last thing we need are more injuries and the players looked absolutely shattered towards and at the end against Liverpool. Should rotate a bit at least, would be good if some of those soon to be back are back for that one too.

 

[P.D.]

Liverpool were not great but our defensive shape was definitely better than in recent games. Dragusin is not great with the ball at his feet but he is a good "old fashioned" defender who is decent in the air. Danso the same. I also thought the two up front gave the Liverpool back 4 a torrid time. Thought Tel and Sousa were good too. So when we went 0-1 down but continued to create chances while defending pretty well, I was less worried than in previous games. So for me, there were definite green shoots. Hopefully continues next week. And if he keeps us up, I for one will be singing Igor's name.

The 2 up top was interesting, I wonder if their defense even knew how to play against it. It's so rare a team plays 2 strikers, now 442 has gone out of fashion more or less every team plays 1 up top.

 

[P.D.]

Absolutely on all of that. Hope we stick with Sarr and Gray personally. If Tudor sticks with a back 4 will be interesting to see who he plays on the right. Souza did alright there against Liverpool. Gallagher less so when played there. Muani to me should be an impact sub for now at least.

Will have to be careful with Udogie this time around.

Will also be interesting to see what Tudor does on Wednesday. I mean we're three goals down, but stranger things have happened. At the same time the last thing we need are more injuries and the players looked absolutely shattered towards and at the end against Liverpool. Should rotate a bit at least, would be good if some of those soon to be back are back for that one too.

Agree on Muani but might be worth starting him in the CL and letting Solanke get some rest, he's played almost every minute since he came back and looked tired yesterday.

 

[Gutter Boy]

Absolutely on all of that. Hope we stick with Sarr and Gray personally. If Tudor sticks with a back 4 will be interesting to see who he plays on the right. Souza did alright there against Liverpool. Gallagher less so when played there. Muani to me should be an impact sub for now at least.

Will have to be careful with Udogie this time around.

Will also be interesting to see what Tudor does on Wednesday. I mean we're three goals down, but stranger things have happened. At the same time the last thing we need are more injuries and the players looked absolutely shattered towards and at the end against Liverpool. Should rotate a bit at least, would be good if some of those soon to be back are back for that one too.

All our good performances this season have been with Gray + Bergvall/Sarr as the double pivot. Its the one thing that works for us

 

[Muttley]

Absolutely on all of that. Hope we stick with Sarr and Gray personally. If Tudor sticks with a back 4 will be interesting to see who he plays on the right. Souza did alright there against Liverpool. Gallagher less so when played there. Muani to me should be an impact sub for now at least.

Will have to be careful with Udogie this time around.

Will also be interesting to see what Tudor does on Wednesday. I mean we're three goals down, but stranger things have happened. At the same time the last thing we need are more injuries and the players looked absolutely shattered towards and at the end against Liverpool. Should rotate a bit at least, would be good if some of those soon to be back are back for that one too.

All our good performances this season have been with Gray + Bergvall/Sarr as the double pivot. Its the one thing that works for us

I don't think Romero and Palhinha are back until the weekend anyway. Weds is a chance for VDV to redeem himself alongside Danso. I'd be bold and stick Spence and Souza as the full-backs and leave the Gray / Sarr combo together but only if they're not in the red zone. We need them for Forest more.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Definitely not against Tudor sticking to a back 4 now.

But more importantly needs to keep picking players who show themselves capable of showing up in the right mental state in these circumstances. The 11 who started against Liverpool, but to me also Palhina, Romero and Gallagher at the very least. Hopefully more to add to that list?

Its only natural Tudor is learning about the players. Of course he's extremely limited in options when it comes to selection...but he's still learning.

If I was in his shoes this is how I see it.

As long as Richie and Solanke are fit...I'd be sticking to a 442.

The non-negotiables to start (and this isn't based on ability BUT who have the mental strength to face up to the task ahead)
Porro, Danso, Romero, Gray, Sarr, Paulinha, Tel, Richie, Solanke. Udogie (who I think is back for Forest)

Gallagher, Souza have the potential to be relied upon but the sample size is too small.

Romero needs to behave as he's close to another suspension.

Muani and Xavi can be great impact subs.

VDV I'd play left back BUT not ahead of Udogie. But VDV could be a weapon from the bench. He might rise up to that roll rather than carry the pressure of a starting place.

No choice but to see it out with Vicario.

Hopefully Bergvall, Kudus, Bentancur fill in soon

 

[clownfoot]

I don’t care too much about Wednesday. Will be a smaller crowd than usual and I’d see it as a chance to play some fringe players (if they exist in a depleted squad) and youth players.

Only problem is taking a hiding feeds the narrative that we’re low on morale and a lot on here and social media will use it as a stick to beat the squad and manager with.

Another aspect to consider is that the team yesterday was hastily thrown together after Gallagher pulled out, so is there any point looking further than 1 game ahead currently? Christ knows what sort of injury or illness could pop up between Thursday and Sunday morning

 

[Gutter Boy]

I don't think Romero and Palhinha are back until the weekend anyway. Weds is a chance for VDV to redeem himself alongside Danso. I'd be bold and stick Spence and Souza as the full-backs and leave the Gray / Sarr combo together but only if they're not in the red zone. We need them for Forest more.

I'd go same as yesterday against Forest, except Romero in for Dragusin. Udogie will be great to have to bring off the bench.

I'm really not sure what I'd do against Athletico. Go for glory and go full strength. Or just play the U21s + van de Ven.

 

[harr1984]

I seriously doubt Udogie will be starting against Forest, maybe even longer considering he's been out for a while and also he's ridiculously injury prone so just because he's available doesn't mean he comes straight back into the side.

VDV is a better option at LB short term, although quite happy to have Souza there who doesn't look out of place at all. I'd add even though I don't particularly rate VDV as a defender, I don't think Tudor (or any manager we have) will drop him.....

 

[braineclipse]

All our good performances this season have been with Gray + Bergvall/Sarr as the double pivot. Its the one thing that works for us

Not sure on all good performances, but it certainly seems like something that can work well.

Bergvall only getting one game in the double pivot all season until his injury remains a frustration for me.

Right now a bit of don't change it if it's working is probably a good thing and Sarr with Gray worked quite well. Though they did get a lot of support defensively from the two strikers.

 

[harr1984]

Not sure on all good performances, but it certainly seems like something that can work well.

Bergvall only getting one game in the double pivot all season until his injury remains a frustration for me.

Right now a bit of don't change it if it's working is probably a good thing and Sarr with Gray worked quite well. Though they did get a lot of support defensively from the two strikers.

The thing is our home games are going to be completely different to the Anfield game. Creatively we are going to struggle with Gray and Sarr in the middle with the onus on us to attack, it's different to sitting back and counter attacking.

At home we are going to have to find a way to play Simons, without him our attack will once again look all too predictable IMO....

 

[Gutter Boy]

Not sure on all good performances, but it certainly seems like something that can work well.

Bergvall only getting one game in the double pivot all season until his injury remains a frustration for me.

Right now a bit of don't change it if it's working is probably a good thing and Sarr with Gray worked quite well. Though they did get a lot of support defensively from the two strikers.

Both our good performances this season then - Dortmund and yesterday were the particular ones i had in mind. But i thought there was another impressive Grat-Bergvall DP show as well, but i can't place it

 

[Gutter Boy]

The thing is our home games are going to be completely different to the Anfield game. Creatively we are going to struggle with Gray and Sarr in the middle with the onus on us to attack, it's different to sitting back and counter attacking.

At home we are going to have to find a way to play Simons, without him our attack will once again look all too predictable IMO....

The creativity isnt supposed to come from the DP, its from the 4 in front of them and the FBs. Their main job is to transition the ball quickly, which they do well enough (much better than Pahlinha, Bentancur etc)

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Agree on Muani but might be worth starting him in the CL and letting Solanke get some rest, he's played almost every minute since he came back and looked tired yesterday.

We have no Richie on Wednesday though