26 Oct 2021 21:33:53
Lyanco absolute class!
What a partnership with Salisu!


1.) 27 Oct 2021
27 Oct 2021 00:07:32
Great effort tonight but the obsession to bring on Walcott finally brought us undone. However I put forward a suggested x1 revised in the hope ( although admittedly cavalier) with 3 good ball players in the middle and two very mobile full backs we could unlock a free scoring formula which still has not been achieved to date. Forster KWP Perraud Lyanco Salisu Tino Diallo S Armstrong Tella/ Adams Broja A Armstrong. Romeu to stiffen up the rearguard on required occasions,!


2.) 27 Oct 2021
27 Oct 2021 08:36:49
Johnny
It’s not cavalier if you have the defence to match the attacking threat.
Where once we needed to score lots to counteract our goals conceded, we now (assuming Lyanco is now picked) have a very solid defence.
To see both Lyanco and Salisu adding to the midfield and attacking threat, we’ll it was just heaven!

This is when all of us will now wonder, will Ralph keep Forster in goal and Lyanco in defence…

Djenepo once again proved his lack of PL quality.
So if we can keep away from the Ralph favourites Redmond, Walcott and Djenepo, we might just be a different team in every way!


3.) 27 Oct 2021
27 Oct 2021 12:33:41
I enjoyed the 5-2-3 we played yesterday. Seemed to make the game more open, but we also had cover defensively, which allowed our CB's to be more expressive. I suspect Ralph went with this tactic as a test but also because it's the same formation Chelsea used, so maybe as an attempt to outwit Tuchal. Nonetheless we were great, the 4-2-2-2 seems so restrictive for us. I would like to see this starting 11 at some point this season.

GK: FF

RB: KWP
RCB: Tino
CB: Lyanco
LCB: Salisu
LB: Perraud

CM: Diallo/ Romeu
CM: JWP

RW: S. Armstrong
ST: Broja/ Adams
LW: A. Armstrong.


4.) 27 Oct 2021
27 Oct 2021 18:19:52
I was on the verge of agreeing with you until I saw you select JWP! Other than nostalgia and the occasional killer dead ball delivery, what does he offer us. Basically, he lacks any inspiration or idea going forward and is content to play safe (sideways and backwards) .
It’s no coincidence we’ve looked more of a threat without him in the last 3 games.
I shall now seek cover from Team JWP!


5.) 27 Oct 2021
27 Oct 2021 19:07:39
Millertime : no arguing from me re JWP
Ralph seemed so worried at losing that he played, regardless of opposition, two holding midfielders.
Romeu has proved he can up his game, drive forward much more. But never ever seen JWP do this, in fact he has nestled in so deep he has served very little purpose.
His constant sitting on the shoulders of the CBS and calling for the ball, has been a constant niggle in our teams play. I can’t see Lyanco putting up with it, in fact I can’t see him telling JWP to go away!
If Ralph plays kwp lyanco Salisu Perraud
There is absolutely no need to protect the back four anywhere near as much . especially with Forster who must play every game!
That leaves the option for a more dynamic midfield.
Why he replaced Tella last night heaven knows, but let’s get that dynamic, quick midfield going from now on.

Broja must also start; I’d like to see him alongside Adams who is a very intelligent player. I felt a Armstrong last night was way too greedy and a little headless chicken like.

COYR.


6.) 27 Oct 2021
27 Oct 2021 20:12:59
I agree, JWP does have the tendency to play the safe option. But we all saw what he was capable of in the England squad. I think he holds back in our squad because of the lack of cover should he lose the ball. With a third CB he might be more likely to take risks.


7.) 27 Oct 2021
27 Oct 2021 21:09:51
Saintjay
The only thing I’d disagree with is the need to ever play two holding midfielders.
Ralph was stuck in a rut on that one, trying I believe to protect our defence. I think only one of JWP or Romeu should be on the pitch. Is he brave enough to do that, I’m not sure?
Last night showed how a dynamic and fluid midfield can change saints into an exciting team - something that has been missing for ages.


8.) 28 Oct 2021
28 Oct 2021 10:43:03
I agree with you Rich! I'd like to see us play a 3 in Midfield. The 4-3-3 was the formation that brought us our greatest success under Keoman. A central midfield picked of Armstrong and Diallo with JWP/ Romeu could be exciting. Armstrong and Diallo as more dynamic players and JWP/ Romeu to martial the back 4.

Unfortunately, I think the 2 holding midfielders will always be in place. Obviously, who plays there will bring a different dynamic to how we play. Armstrong and Diallo are both very dynamic players. So it seems like we're much more progressive with them in the team.

I agree, I don't think Romeu and JWP should both be playing together. Romeu has shown his quality this season and seems like a more progressive player. But I do question his consistency, he is still quite full of mistakes. Whereas I don't see that with JWP. Albeit, JWP never takes risks, hence why he often passes sideways or backwards. He also doesn't have the pace to put himself about the pitch, nor the strength or technical ability to drive the ball through midfield.


9.) 28 Oct 2021
28 Oct 2021 15:08:27
Heh Saintjay, reading the last part of your post about JWP is all the evidence you need why NOT to play him. Ring a little bit tidy at the back does not really cut it. I wish we had taken the 35 mil when we had the chance and invest elsewhere. For the last 3 years we have become incrementally weaker, with less creativity and less attaching threat.
Watford away on Saturday is going to be a real test again (as I suppose all PL games are) but previously I fancied us for a point at least. I’m hoping that the front foot approach of the last 3 games will continue - in other words we die fighting!


10.) 28 Oct 2021
28 Oct 2021 23:26:14
Here's the catch-22 though. You speak about us not having much of an attacking threat and any creative, (which I agree with) . But you seem to be pinning that responsibility on JWP, who is in the squad to be a defensive midfielder, so I don't really see his tactical purpose to be to create chances. Ofc he slows the play down when he passes sideways and backwards. Equally, movement and options to play the ball forward are few and far between in our side.