16 Aug 2016 20:01:54
Hey guys haven't posted in awhile.

I think we are still in quiet a good place maybe a wide player with pace if he is to persist with Redmond up front. A cb is a must if fonte stays or goes. As for Austin I honestly think we have a top striker in him. Get him injury free and we will be looking at a 15 plus striker. Maybe 3 up top Redmond and long off Austin?


1.) 16 Aug 2016
16 Aug 2016 20:48:02
I think Charlie is being used sparingly at the start of the season to ease him in to reduce injury risk, with the extra games in September and October it is crucial to keep him fresh as you said he could be a very big asset for us. He offers something very different to both Shane and Nathan. Disagree with the formation talk. Puel has had the confidence to change to a midfield diamond and I don't see that changing. I also believe that Redmond looked very dangerous up top on Saturday and will cause defenses real problems but though Tadic in the no.10 role behind two strikers looked 10x the player he has when stuck out on the left.


2.) 16 Aug 2016
16 Aug 2016 22:10:14
That formation though is a very central formation. Surely we'll struggle against teams that use the width of the pitch?
P. S didn't watch Saturdays game.


3.) 16 Aug 2016
16 Aug 2016 22:45:59
That is the the main tactical weakness of a diamond and is exactly what happened in the first half on Saturday. It seems that the deepest midfielder almost sits in as a third central defender playing as a free man and deep lying playmaker. Once Bertrand comes back into the side we will have greater width going forward.


4.) 17 Aug 2016
17 Aug 2016 01:49:51
With so many teams using their LB and RB in overlaps I really fear for this diamond formation. time will tell. Hope i'm wrong.


5.) 17 Aug 2016
17 Aug 2016 08:51:55
That's what works well with playing 2 CDM. When your fullbacks go forward. The CDM should cover that position. But, if we're going to dominate procession with our central midfields then teams will have to change their style of play to suit ours.


6.) 17 Aug 2016
17 Aug 2016 11:30:00
I still don't think Cedric is good enough for our formation. Yes he was in a winning Euro team but he looked a weak link to me as he does for us. JWP also doesn't look physical enough to play in the centre of the field but is our most gifted passer (especially long range) in the squad. At the risk of getting shot down I wouldn't mind seeing JWP getting a run at RB. That would still give him the chance to spray a few passes around for Long etc to run onto plus leave our midfield with a little more steel.


7.) 17 Aug 2016
17 Aug 2016 13:22:07
By playing JWP at RB you're taking him out of the game. Cedrics strengths are his deliveries into the box. He's a great crosser of the ball. Also constantly in and out the squad with Koeman. Still his second season in the Prem. He needs time. JWP just needs time to settle, play more regularly and adapt to this competition. The physicality will develop given time. He's got loads of potential but hasn't been able to reach it sitting on the bench.


8.) 17 Aug 2016
17 Aug 2016 13:32:21
Saintjay I agree with you about JWPs potential but I just can't see a place in the midfield where he fits at the moment with the competition we have. With him on the pitch I always think we have an extra threat. He is one of the only players in the Prem who consistently takes a good corner too. I just can't see him starting at the moment.