Saint86

Playing 5 at the back works against teams with no penetration who want to pass it around the box to move defenders and create opportunities (like city and arsenal last year) where we sat incredibly deep... But even then we rarely went back 5. Back 5 will simply not work against sides that have a physical presence and just want to lump it in the mixer... You literally surrender the rest of the pitch to them, give up all width across midfield, and invite them into crossing range... It was Argentina Vs England all over again - we just ceded them the pitch and let them come at us - but with a keeper and at least 1 cb that struggle with crosses. What he should have done, is strengthen further up the pitch, keep control of the middle, keep pace at the back, and push onto them... Then their more limited players have to pick exceptional passes, and their big forwards have to win a foot race... Sadly it was also shades of Watford all over again - i.e., letting them lump aerial balls onto manning and Stephens and watch the carnage unfold - a repeat mistake from Eckert, and something he needs to address. We cannot play the football sides like that want to play, and then allow them to target what is undoubtedly the weakest part of our game. We just get bullied and at least half the back line can't handle it / aren't good against it. Birmingham was also poor in the regard of allowing a physical side onto us thinking we could adequately defined it - we can't. Quarshie would have been ideal for these sorts of sides... Agree as well about Swansea. They won't play like this and it will come down to technical skill and flowing football. Not 11 players in the 18yard box most of the game, hitting it long, and bombarding our box with a near 7ft striker the target.

I think downs would have been as effective today... Probably better in fact (although that isn't saying anything). Should have re-signed Ballard this summer. We need a goal scorer would good movement and fishing, doesn't have to be a target man.

This one is fully on Eckert I am afraid. Game was there, and he decided to throw it away by trying to park the bus and invite Lincoln to just launch it into the box. Needs to be the last time this happens - he's played enough of these physical sides and dropped points to stop this. We aren't good enough at the back to stop the crosses or win the headers, and Peretz is really weak at dealing with balls on top of him.

Really poor from Eckert here. Played to their strengths, not ours. He's back to making really basic errors - just walks into them eyes wide open... Fucks sake. We've played their football, not ours. 5 at the back bollocks - Lincoln wants nothing more than for teams to do that against them and just allow them to launch it into the box... That is their game FFS.

Unplugged by Rouen? 🧐

I'd be more annoyed, but looks like JWP has still got it, so provided Downes is free (can do the Jander role), we'll cause a lot of problems with JWP and Azaz both on the pitch in the middle. Its differnent to having Jander roving around all over the place, but equally, JWP is going to score and assist this weekend so its all good 🤩

Not that i can see so far.

Probably won't get to play in the CL this season after all that. Given it was specifically one of the reasons he moved to Villa, i suspect he's quite disappointed - a bad start to his villa career and relationship with the club. I still have my doubts its going to prove a good move for him (other than for his wallet), but i hope it goes well and we see him shining for villa and england in the future.

Has anyone said its absolutely fine? I think best case there has been a general acknowledgement that needs must and we are gambling on no injury to Larin.

Yeah ofc, but my point is that we really shouldn't be needing that sort of run this season.

Suspect there is a view from the club that (as per last season) we can strengthen in January and go on a run. Probably with a great degree of confidence that we'll be in a far better position come the start of 2027 than we were at the start of 2026.

I think hell will freeze over before you see this government cut taxes. I think we've got a real issue with youth unemployment and lack of prospects currently - goes under the radar with all the defence / welfare / migration politicisation, but we've got to get these people into work, gaining experience, and giving them the tools to start their adult lives.

A fairly easy goal to score when you can pass the ball back to your keeper (from halfway), and then forward the entire length of the pitch for a tap in goal - all without the defending team making even the semblance of a tackle. This is Russel Martin Propaganda football at its finest -They've also only played stoke, derby, watford, and sheffield united. Stewart is out injured, and Opuku (a very good and promising attacker for this level) suffered an ankle injury and had to come off in the first half. They look decent, but they'll be happy to be fighting for 7-10th come may i reckon.

I'd be very surprised if they manage to make autos.