22 Nov 2020 17:13:03
Carlo playing Iwobi as a wingback was a complete surprise but certainly paid off as he had a good game, but like my fellow posters I despair when we are far superior in the first half and then decide to concede possession to Fulham in the second half and then show quite clearly we don't possess the composure to deal with the pressure.
Jekyll and Hyde springs to mind.
If you try and dissect the reason why we are in total panic, kicking the ball anywhere in sheer desperation only to find the opposition and invite a fresh wave of pressure is of concern.
Whilst Allan had a half decent game and covered a lot of ground, I think he would be much more effective for the team if he played a more disciplined role operating closer to and across the back line.
If you compared the performance of Hojberg for Spurs against City he did exactly that and was immense.
The substitutions choice was strange because taking Ricky off when Fulham were committed to attack removed the outlet from defence which he could have exploited to our benefit. Sigurdsson could have come and sat with me for the impact he had on the game.
Accepting we were without Ricky for 3 of the last matches, it is strange to compare our opening 5 matches and the last 4 performances. Was the difference that we were that much fitter than the likes of Spurs etc., and took them by surprise and once the teams got up to speed we slumped back to mediocre?
Certainly Carlo has his work cut out to sort it out but a manager of his calibre should be able to sort it out but he will need to be ruthless.

1.) 22 Nov 2020
22 Nov 2020 22:35:02
I think replacing Mina would solve a lot of the issues we had today. He wasn’t his best today and it showed how much we need a decent, strong CB who can boss the game.

Still, 25 points to safety. keep it up!

{Ed025's Note - your dead right BR, mina is a liability and should only appear as a last resort mate..

2.) 23 Nov 2020
23 Nov 2020 07:16:03
Was there a problem with Holgate? I'm sure I read everyone was fit apart from Coleman and Gbamin. I can see why Keane couldn't have played CB with Holgate and Godfrey either side of him.

I really like 5 at the back though. Helps us carry James in defence and give Doucoure the freedom to get forward more in a central position.

I didn't see what Carlo said at full time. What did he say the reason was about the difference in performance from 1st to 2nd half?

3.) 23 Nov 2020
23 Nov 2020 12:21:23
That first half showed that with our current resources 3 cb's and WB's is the way to go. Having said that though Rodriguez looks more comfortable cutting in from the right rather than playing more a no 10. Deputy Captain should be Alan as well.

4.) 23 Nov 2020
23 Nov 2020 17:29:09
Think if we play 3 centre backs it should be Holgate right Kean central and Godfrey left who's happy there. Think Kean who is slow on the turn would be happier with those two who both have pace alongside him. there's also Braithwaite who's left sided and will do a job in the future, so I think Mina could be off as I don't think we need 5 CB's. Would be sorry to see him go as I think he's good in the dressing room and you can't help but smile when he scored against Brighton and you see him with the other players but sadly he is error prone and wow! so slow.