Tomo

Thats the one big gripe I have with Frank so far. It's absolute madness we've only seen the Jorginho, Kova, Mount midfield trio from the start once since the international break given how good it was working. It shouldn't have been broken up like that, not even for Kante. I remember an interview a couple of years back when Lampard in the most diplomatic way possible tore into Sven for picking on reputation as England manager, unfortunately he's fallen into that trap himself here, hopefully he learns from it.

Come on man, me and @Nicco disagree/clash as much as anyone on here but let's not go down this route, we all want the same thing ultimately.

Ive always had my doubts but was prepared to wait until he had regular game time in league and CL. Now he's got that, I can't honestly think of a stand out attribute he has, he may aswell change him name to John Doe when he's on the pitch.

To add further, with the way Frank is building the squad even if he ultimately turns out to not be a title winning manager he'd leave a competitive squad for a manager that is. At absolute worst we have a Ranieri esque situation with Lamps.

He seriously scored than many in 10/11? I swear he was diabolical every time he played.

That's what coaching staff are for. Even the greatest manager ever (Fergie) more than likely had his bacon saved by McLaren, Querioz and Phelan on occasions.

For a finished article manager I'd agree but for a manager in his formative years learning all the time i say it's a very promising sign he can not only rectify such a catastrophic mistake but turn it into a performance where Arsenal could barely get the ball.

Thsts true it's just I've always felt like that against anything but elite teams (which Arsenal are not), equalizers for me against fodder have always been a case of moment of relief now kick on.

This video from 5:45 to 6:05

Im sorry but that is just not true. Don't get me wrong I was livid with the starting lineup but as soon as he changed it we may aswell have removed Kepa's goal. The second half we absolutely dominated them territorially although granted didn't create as much as we should have.

https://streamable.com/zyp4g Everyone on twitter like @Jason get this spreading

I didn't celebrate the equalizer anyway, would have been two points dropped if we drew that.

If we ever ever go back to a back three for whatever reason Lamptey needs to start with either Azpi or James playing RCB. There's no balance playing those 3 CBs (only one of which specialist ball player), one wingback who can't attack and one who can barely do anything.

Someone with video making skills please please please make a short clip of 5:45 to 6:05 to use.

Ill be livid at the minute because of the inconsistency about it but in general I've always been very pro give the benefit of any doubt to the attacker. Had Promes's goal been given against us I wouldn't have even noticed the marginal offside unless the commentary team or conspiracy theorists kicked up a fuss. Would anyone of noticed Mount being marginally offside in the build up Vs Liverpool? In my opinion the definition of offside should be if you can draw a line in between the last defender and attacker, offside was created in the first place to prevent goal hanging, getting all precious about the tiniest thing is just too much.

These days there seems to be a massive influx of managers at smaller teams who follow up strong and promising first season's with truly diabolical second season's. It's a big theme at Everton especially with Martinez, Koeman and Silva. I wonder what it is that makes this happen a lot, do they overestimate they're own ability thinking they can take the club to heights no one expects but then loses motivation when they realise they were a little too unrealistic in their ambitions?

Usually I would agree but I think Europa would come in handy next season if we miss out on CL. Will give us a platform to hand some significant minutes to Maatsen, Anjorin, Gilmour and possible even Lamptey. Team development is never a straight upward curve. Take Pool in Klopp's first full season, went from looking like our closest challengers to randomly losing three home games on the bounce.

There's a reason we are still 4th despite having the month from hell, we earned it by being so much better than the chasing pack before the last international break. That's what point cushions are there for, safety net incase things go south.

Just been thinking we've actually had it quite easy with Christmas scheduling for some time. I don't think we've had a 48 hour turnover since Watford-United under Hiddink but I could be wrong.

The VAR yes but the penalty really? It was absolutely stone wall. Absolutely beyond stupid from the defender.

Yeah i always laugh my head off when i read that Klopp has has got unconditional backing, he's been firmly restricted net spend wise his entire time. Now there's no Coutinho money look at how well he's being "backed", nothing in the summer and having to buy a £7m player while rivals are eyeing Sancho and Haaland. Liverpool's board is actually bang average at everything bar selling players, they're incredibly lucky one of the few top decisions they have made is hiring a manager who can turn urine into wine.

If it all goes to plan in terms of filling out on their potential i can see this being good enough to challenge. New keeper (faith in Kepa is evaporating tbh) James Rudiger, Tomori and new CB rotating 2 positions New LB Jorginho Kovacic/Kante if he's still here Mount/Ruben (Gallagher being the versatile rotation player in all 3 positions) Pulisic, new winger (hopefully Sancho) and Odoi rotating between two positions Tammy and new CF (preferably someone who can double up as a winger to give additional depth there) competing for up front. This is why Lampard should get time barring a massive dive down the league, even if he doesn't turn out to be good enough he will prioritise the long term good and leave a capable team on the up for a manager who is.

The Newcastle match has to be included as I think Kova was on after like half an hour which means they were by inlarge the mainstays in our best period of the season. It was working so well and to then only go on and use that midfield three once in nine games is inexcusable for me. I'm a little bit easier on Lampard as given his lack of experience I have hope he will eventually click on and learn his lesson however of an experienced manager did this I'd be incandescent at him. I think the home games recently we have missed their combination play, the only one they played together was West Ham and we handicapped them by playing not matchfit Oli and Pedro. Kova's decision making trump's Kante's in terms of minute by minute passing and running between the middle and final thirds which is crucial against teams sat deep, how many times did Kante frustrate in that regard two days ago alone? Even if Kova doesn't get anywhere in terms of finding space/openings we atleast retain possesion. That said I think Kova and Kante work well aswell, but Jorginho/Kante should never be used as a combo (I'd go as far as saying even a Jorginho/Barkley combo (like we saw Vs BHA) trump's that one) apart from Saints away we've looked all at sea playing those two together (with no Kovacic).

Judging by his first match Arteta is following Pep's method of inverted fullbacks. With this in mind I would raise the suggestion of the diamond (Jorgi, Kante, Kova, Mount) with Tammy and Pulisic as the strikers. Would be harsh on Willy as he won us the last big game but he will probably be shattered by the time this one comes around.

Funny thing is if Frank is planning on making back three a regular thing we could do a lot worse for a RWB.