02 Dec 2019 19:34:30
Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here people. Our centre backs may not be world beaters, but they've got plenty of experience. I refuse to believe that a decent coach/ system could get them working. Holding is very good and getting better. I want Him alongside Sokratis for me personally, but luiz isn't at arsenal to look like a chump and if we get the system right he could bring plenty to the party as he's good playing out from the back - but no discipline in the team means it all falls apart. I think we just need to get the basics right and the structure at the club and work with the players we have first.
02 Dec 2019 19:52:35
I don't think anyone person knows exactly why all our Cbs struggle so much, even in a 3 with Torreira and Guendouzi in front of them teams walk through for some reason and with or without Xhaka doesn't seem to make a difference either way.
Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes can anyone solve this seemingly impossible riddle?
02 Dec 2019 20:02:03
I don't rate Guendouzi at all, headless chicken springs to mind.
02 Dec 2019 21:29:42
It's funny how we all see things so differently sparky mate, good but funny all the same.
I think Guendouzi is head and shoulders above all our other young players and is 100% the real deal but until he actually proves that on the big stage it will all be opinions.
He's been involved in world champions France squad where none of our English youngsters seem close to an England cap while many Chelsea other clubs youngsters are making huge strides in that department.
02 Dec 2019 22:28:20
Matteo is a bit of a headless chicken and gives the bill away - hopefully someone develops him as he’s a star for the future. His weaknesses are exposed by our weak under belly we have plus no leaders helping him.
Mustafi, Papa, Luiz and Granit are a disaster and I don’t think Torriera is the answer either. Too small and no Santi or Kante in my book
Two big mobile CDMs and a CD is required - get as much money for a Granit and Torriera as possible. Just remove wages for Mustafi, Luiz and Papa - no transfer fee required.
Interested to see what happens when all players fit and Freddie has a few games under his belt.
If we get the base right - Matteo will flourish.
02 Dec 2019 22:30:04
I too like Guendouzi, my main complaint with him, as with almost all players today, is how easily he falls down. It doesn't always result in a foul, but the action makes team mates slow down. Often results in a quick counter. Torreira also has the same affliction.
Throw ins, we are so slow to take the throw in, always wait for the full back take the throw in, now everyone is covered. I would like to see a stat on how often we lose possession on our throw ins.
02 Dec 2019 23:02:15
Some really good observations there Davy mate, I notice quite a bit how we don't play the whistle but all stop at in anticipation of getting a decision we want plus how much time we spend complaining about decisions that go against us while our opponents take advantage of our lack of professional discipline by getting on with the game quickly at our expense.
03 Dec 2019 00:50:23
Agree Jim. Think we could fix a lot of problems by either playing a back 3 of Holding/ Luiz/ Sokratis with Torreira in front, or a back 4 with Holding/ Sokratis with Luiz and Torreira in front. Some teams can get away with just a single defensive midfielder but they need the rest of the guys in front of them to be defensively minded. Under Wenger during our more defensively solid seasons we defended in a 4-4-1-1 where all 8 back players were compact.