MoroccanBlue

Link?

Bayern are able to play a high line because their entire back line are proper footballers, and the fact Neuer is able to bail them out time and time again. We have Zouma and Dave who are notoriously known to struggle in playing it out from the back. Mendy is also incredibly poor at sweeping based on statistical analysis. If we are going to press, a midfielder needs to stay back. It's so fundamentally easy to sort out yet it continues to happen!

But when we press there is a massive disconnect between the defence and midfield, something time and time again continues to get exposed. Bayern, excuse my french, raped our midfield last season given this blatant weakness.

The entire team needs to be well in tune with a pragmatic approach. I'd have Kante sit with Kovacic, and our attack relaxed on their press. Mendy Dave---Silva---Zouma---Chilwell Kante---Kovacic CHO------Havertz-----Pulisic Werner

We are talking about what needs to be done from now until January, when Lampard can get a DM. There's is no better alternative than a 433 with Kante sitting. But with that must be a disciplined and structured style of play. Congest then hit them on the break. There's literally no other solution that can fix our embarrassingly blatant problem.

Hard to do that when 1/2 of our back line can't play possession football and the big gaping hole in midfield. If bloody football fans on an online forum can figure this out but not Frank, his sacking will be justified.

That's a great analysis tbf. The thing we need to work on at the moment is the gap in midfield when defending. Should be operating a counter attacking game, much like the performance against City at the bridge, until a proper DM and good CB are purchased. Focus on defensive structure more than anything.

The journalists are just responding to the fact Mendy trained with the team. We have no idea if he's match ready/fit. Which is a reason why Lampard said what he said.

Weird how people continue to think Grealish will be just as effective at CM/CAM as he is at LW.

I agree but its getting ridiculous now. We need a designated holding midfielder. Even bloody Jorginho, whos a holding midfielder, doesn't sit! Either the players deliberately disobey Lampard's instructions or Lampard genuinely wants all 6 midfielders/attackers to press with no one holding back to prevent a counter.

I changed my post. Didn't realise what I was thinking.

Need to break something.

Our best football came when we played a 433. Might need to bring this back. Kante/Kovacic/Havertz

Speaking of James, has Frank ever considered developing him into a DM ala Kimmich?

Guess it was the players fault Lampard didnt address the midfield issue until the 82nd minute. Something that essentially had us lose control that entire second half.

Out of his depth if that’s the case

Think Roman and the board would be lining up replacements if that were to happen. Our spending this season is heavily reliant by finishing in the top 4 regularly.

Again, it will be a sackable offense to miss out.

It will be sackable if we don’t get top 4. Zero excuses.

Yeah I'm contempt to save Dave for United. No change for CB's for me. Silva and Zouma.

I would love to see James be the answer to our problems but I just can't see it.

Willy Dave---Silva---Zouma---Chilwell Kante---Jorginho Ziyech---Havertz---Pulisic Werner

Just needs a scolding and should be back in the team imo. Like you said, he's probably our second best CB.

Yeah. Actually made my blood boil re-watching that. Its always a bloody mix of individual errors or fundamental mistakes. Look how no one was goal side to Vestergaard for their equaliser. We even had 5 men around him!

Not getting a DM will sack Lampard