31 Aug 2023 10:54:36
The rumoured signings don’t all make sense to me. If we’re sticking with a 5-2-1-2 formation why are we adding Ndidi/ Sanagre and Dominguez to a midfield of Yates, Danilo, Mangala and Santos (Kouyate and the other likely move on) I understand the need for depth but having 6 players that can play in the midfield 2 all with good qualities seems baffling to me.
Surely it would/ could mean we play a 4-3-1-2 more this season? With the players roulettes to be added the midfield in this formation would be a lot more balanced than last year when we played it.

Turner/ Greek fella in goal

Montiel and Neco at RB
Niakhate, Murillo, Felipe, Worrall, Harwood-bellis? / Boly or McKenna for CB
Tavares and Aina at RB

Ndidi/ Sangare and Mangala in the center
Dominguez and Yates to the right
Santos and Danilo to the left

MGW with Danilo as his back up

If Brennan leaves then:
Elanga and CHO as the wide attacker

Awoniyi and Batshuayi (plus wood) as the out and out strikers.

If that’s our team by the end of the window then wow what an improvement on last season, a lot more quality in the squad. I might have missed one or two players (Aurier I think will leave) but that team is very very good on paper.

1.) 31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023 11:40:47
Agreed but It’s what you do with that team tho that counts mate.

2.) 31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023 12:30:16
Different personnel, same tactics, though. Even at home.

3.) 31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023 12:37:33
And overloaded with defensive-minded players.

4.) 31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023 13:33:44
As a team that isn’t a fully established PL team I’d rather sacrifice a few goals if it means we’re more solid defensively. Those 0-0 results (which we need to add this season) add up and can save you a lot of hassle towards the end of the season.

Don’t think our performances in the league have been bad at all this season albeit 3 games in. We know we have tough away fixtures so I’d rather be more defensive and try a nick a point if possible (or a late winner even) but we can’t be losing by 3+ goals like we did last season. Of course though we need to have a lot more control against teams around us and create good chances against them. I trust SC to get it right this season in all honesty!

5.) 31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023 16:49:18
I suppose, though, if a manager doesn't like playing attacking football then there is no need for attacking players. But if one or two of those few attackers do get injured then we will struggle even more than we are already going to. A couple of injuries in defensive position we can cope with but higher up the pitch and it will tell on us.

6.) 31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023 18:40:30
If there is no need for attacking player's Mo how do we get goals? ?
Cooper needs to break the habit of defending and soaking up opposition attacks.
A balanced level of tactics is needed.

7.) 31 Aug 2023
31 Aug 2023 19:54:44
Great how we think we can pick a side and the tactics and do better than Cooper?
Love football, but managing a bunch of millionaires and trying to keep them all happy can't be very easy.