saintant

Can anyone come up with an even half sensible explanation as to why RM's tactical genius tells him that it's a good idea to play BD wide left because I'm scratching my head on this one. Why loan out Edozie, who admittedly had his faults but at least had some trickery, to play BD wide left. We've also got Ryan Fraser so why didn't he start against Man Utd? For me it's another tactical blunder by RM and all it does is hang yet another player out to dry. Bonkers.

Whatever may have been said in private to RM matters not a jot. If he cannot get some wins on the board it is just a matter of time before the fan base will make their feelings known in no uncertain terms. If it reaches that stage his position will be untenable. This would be the same at any major club in the country.

I'm sure Russ is now thinking, 'Bloody hell, we've just lost 4 games on the bounce and now I'm without my talisman Captain Jack for three matches'

Is this true? If so it is one of the least forgivable things in football. There is absolutely zero excuse for our squad being less fit than any other team in the Premier League. I'm not sure lack of fitness is an issue and would be interested in other views.

The difference was, we'd already won 3 games - we didn't lose our first four games.

This was one of Alfie House's questions and RM belittled him by waffling about BD having played many more games which was presumably his way of justifying why he's scored 7 from 7 and we shouldn't expect the same from Archer because he's played less games. A complete nonsense of an answer.

I would defy anyone to describe this specific style of football - from what I see the one thing we don't have is any sort of shape or a defined style. It comes across as more off the cuff, make it up as you go.

Would love to see Ryan Fraser's reaction if Howe were to become our manager anytime soon - however, it's very unlikely to happen.

There were encouraging signs yesterday especially up until the penalty miss. TD is clearly a massive talent and he must start games and build up his minutes so that eventually he can last 90 minutes because he is crucial to the team. Fernandes and Big Les are two who can also play key parts if we are to make some sort of revival. Ross Stewart has finally got a few minutes under his belt and the hope must be that he can get stronger and stronger to provide a focal point through the centre. The defence remains an utter shambles not least because they are clearly not drilled in how to maintain a disciplined line to trap opponents offside - a fairly basic requirement at any level. The fact that we constantly have a stray defender behind the rest leaving opponents onside is a poor reflection on the coaching staff and something they need to drill into the players because quite frankly it's embarrassing to watch. I believe we have a squad good enough to start winning games but am not convinced RM is the coach for the job. Obviously we are only 4 games in but he continues to convince me that his very top level is in the Championship. I don't see him as capable of setting up the team in a formation that will get the best out of what he has to work with. Others will say give him more time but I don't see anything much changing because I just don't reckon he has the skill set to be a success in the Premier League but I accept that we're likely stuck with him.

RM needs to handle questions at the after match press conference following defeats with a lot more humility. Lots of people say how nice a guy he is yet he treats the press, who are only doing their job, like something he's just trodden in. He was particularly harsh on Alfie House and tried to belittle him presumably so he himself felt better after another defeat. Hopefully he'll improve because if he doesn't, with all the defeats coming his way, he's going to develop into a very angry manager.

It would come as no surprise to me if KWP is one of the players dropped for this game. I have a feeling RM night go for Charlie Taylor at left back. He'll also likely drop Smallbone and probably the front two. RM will have watched tapes of Liverpool operating a 4-2-3-1 system as they comprehensively took Man Utd apart. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the top dozen teams apart from Arsenal utilise this system as did England under Carsley, he will stick to his 5-1-2-2. He'll play two wing backs who don't actually play as wing backs because they will get sucked into the pointless tippy-tappy keep ball and, if they do venture forward, they'll have little or no support. Something needs to change to get the best out of what is a reasonable squad of players. Maybe Russ will surprise me tomorrow though I wouldn't bet on it.

If he's fully fit I don't doubt he'll get game time and probably his first taste will be during the week against Everton. We don't have a glut of strikers banging in goals so they'll all get their chances and the ones who show they carry a threat will get the most starts. I think the starting team will begin to evolve very quickly over the next few games. Hopefully we'll develop into a decent side and get some wins under our belt. It's a steep learning curve and we need to show rapid progress.

Yes, you have to say they have a valid point and the fact that he is nowhere near our first team squad shows we don't value him highly.

Is he admitting he does not pick the strongest team available but instead shoe-horns in those he is loyal to? If so hopefully he's learning from his mistakes.

Time to let Tyler loose and let's see what he can do. He seems confident in his own ability so perhaps it's time RM showed the same confidence. He's made things happen every time he's been given minutes on the pitch unlike many of his team mates. Give him an opportunity.

Maybe time for RM to give him some starts then so that we can at least enjoy what he can do on the ball for a short time.

4231 gives you the double pivot which can both protect the back four and support the three ahead of them. More flexible when played correctly.

No, we're not Liverpool - doesn't mean we can't play the same way they do. Accept we won't be as good but we can play as they do which is 4 at the back with width in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It's what we should try in my opinion but RM won't see it that way.

Watch Liverpool.

He didn't play against China which I thought was the first game?

For me THB has always looked a better player when we use a back four - he seems not to be comfortable as one of three centre backs and unsure of his role. Play a back four and I believe we'll get more out of THB and the team. JS has been a good and loyal servant but we cannot keep picking him because he is not quick enough in both speed of thought and action and his awareness of where danger lurks has always been an issue.

I was half joking and I sincerely hope the last week has been well spent on the training ground and tactician board because there's much to learn.

I don't deny he makes the odd tweaks but fundamentally he changes very little from game to game. A master tactician he aint. He could try learning from those better at it than he is and will if he has any sense.

It's well worth watching the video on AnfieldIndex.com entitled Tactical Masterclass; How Liverpool Overpowered Manchester United. It demonstrates the way Liverpool set traps for Man Utd and the fine detail that Arne Slot went into to produce such an emphatic victory. It makes RM's one-trick pony approach to every game where he says this is how we play and we're not changing look very lightweight. It's this attitude that will eventually see the owners lose patience with him. Clearly someone like Arne Slot is light years ahead of him and it must be a real buzz to have a coach in charge who delves so deeply into each and every game. I get that Liverpool have far better players than we do but it also reinforces the benefit of having a progressive manager who understands the game so well.

I've heard he's on holiday for a fortnight.