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Because we got a win and evenly more surprisingly a new contract for Andre
Phil is still banned and our style is still abysmal.
Phil has been treated with utter contempt for something he didn't even do and the style we play is not going to click, it is working exactly the way he sets out to. It just simply doesn't work
I think it will click if everyone is fit, purely because there will just be a silly amount of talent in there
The midfield connects to the attack, because Flynn Downes is a cut above at this level. The full backs can get forwards all game because KVY is (was?) an incredible RB at this level. Chances are created because Teddy Bishop can do things out of nothing in the final 3rd. The widemen become more useful because Edwards (sorry) makes things happen at this level. If things aren't working we will have either Norwood or Jackson on the bench who are top strikers at this level as a Plan B.
It's not a triumph for the system or the management, but because we have better players. The difference in the first 6 games of the season, compared to the next 6 with regards to getting bodies in the box was mental - we had 5 or 6 players in there when we scored goals and had chances, we've done that once or twice since. Confidence?
There is another one, our inability to get a result against the better teams in this division. We need two good results against Pompey and Peterborough otherwise we still have that hanging over us and can pretty much rule out a promotion challenge.
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 08:59 - Dec 7 by itfcjoe
I think it will click if everyone is fit, purely because there will just be a silly amount of talent in there
The midfield connects to the attack, because Flynn Downes is a cut above at this level. The full backs can get forwards all game because KVY is (was?) an incredible RB at this level. Chances are created because Teddy Bishop can do things out of nothing in the final 3rd. The widemen become more useful because Edwards (sorry) makes things happen at this level. If things aren't working we will have either Norwood or Jackson on the bench who are top strikers at this level as a Plan B.
It's not a triumph for the system or the management, but because we have better players. The difference in the first 6 games of the season, compared to the next 6 with regards to getting bodies in the box was mental - we had 5 or 6 players in there when we scored goals and had chances, we've done that once or twice since. Confidence?
The 2nd goal is everything that this system doesn't offer. A target man with a player to link with
To a degreebthe first goal was as well because we had multiple players in the box for a cross
When we have this much talent we shouldn't be playing such a full brand of football. We should be playing in their half
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 09:35 - Dec 7 by Bluefish
The 2nd goal is everything that this system doesn't offer. A target man with a player to link with
To a degreebthe first goal was as well because we had multiple players in the box for a cross
When we have this much talent we shouldn't be playing such a full brand of football. We should be playing in their half
We did put pieces of spells together at start of the season where we get so many men in the box - even against Gillingham where we played poorly at the end Ward is in the box when cuts it back to Bishop, and there are a further 4 players in the box, plus Chambers just outside that has crossed it in - 7 players basically within 25 yards of goal in open play with 5 mins remaining.....
That's what we've missed, getting men in the box - Lambert at one point spoke about how many touches we had in the box in a game (may have been last season), but this stat is one that matters.
Like you say with the target man on Saturday it's touches in the box, it is men in there.
I personally think some variation of 433 or 4231 suits us better as a squad - but ultimately with no Downes or Bishop especially, there simply sometimes has to be a pragmatic approach to get your best players on the pitch and play a style that suits them - and at the moment that doesn't mean playing Liam Gibbs, Alan Judge or even Armando Dobra or Jack Lankester as central option when Kayden Jackson and Oli Haekins are sitting on the bench
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 08:59 - Dec 7 by itfcjoe
I think it will click if everyone is fit, purely because there will just be a silly amount of talent in there
The midfield connects to the attack, because Flynn Downes is a cut above at this level. The full backs can get forwards all game because KVY is (was?) an incredible RB at this level. Chances are created because Teddy Bishop can do things out of nothing in the final 3rd. The widemen become more useful because Edwards (sorry) makes things happen at this level. If things aren't working we will have either Norwood or Jackson on the bench who are top strikers at this level as a Plan B.
It's not a triumph for the system or the management, but because we have better players. The difference in the first 6 games of the season, compared to the next 6 with regards to getting bodies in the box was mental - we had 5 or 6 players in there when we scored goals and had chances, we've done that once or twice since. Confidence?
Do you not think we need to switch to two up front? We looked much more dangerous, anyone of the other forwards feeding off Hawkins is going to grab a few goals.
Don't know if that means 442 or 4132 but surely it needs to be considered now?
I just feel we don't support the striker enough playing 433 and that includes the times we've actually played well in that formation.
I'd be temped to give 4132 a go, especially whilst Edwards is injured and even more so if KVY is back as he can get up and down the wing to add width.
SB
SB - (not Simon Batford)
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2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 09:57 - Dec 7 with 2592 views
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 09:48 - Dec 7 by StokieBlue
Do you not think we need to switch to two up front? We looked much more dangerous, anyone of the other forwards feeding off Hawkins is going to grab a few goals.
Don't know if that means 442 or 4132 but surely it needs to be considered now?
I just feel we don't support the striker enough playing 433 and that includes the times we've actually played well in that formation.
I'd be temped to give 4132 a go, especially whilst Edwards is injured and even more so if KVY is back as he can get up and down the wing to add width.
SB
I think if everyone is fit 433 is fine - but it relies on that because in the key positions the drop off is too big at what they need to do.
If, and it is a massive IF, everyone was fit then thisworks well
Jackson almost allows us to go 2 up as KVY covers the whole flank for him and frees him up.
But without Bishop, Downes and Edwards, plus Norwood and KVY going 2 up is likely to lead to more success
Dobra has to play for me. He has had an impact already just through his positivity and by buzzing around closing down. The way he carries the ball and his balance is class, probably only Bishop being similar. Not starting the Edwards debate again but in time it will be shown that he is not in the same class as that team. I'd like to see Jack take the place on the right or potentially Bennetts, they both need a run in a settled team but offer the side so much more
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 08:59 - Dec 7 by itfcjoe
I think it will click if everyone is fit, purely because there will just be a silly amount of talent in there
The midfield connects to the attack, because Flynn Downes is a cut above at this level. The full backs can get forwards all game because KVY is (was?) an incredible RB at this level. Chances are created because Teddy Bishop can do things out of nothing in the final 3rd. The widemen become more useful because Edwards (sorry) makes things happen at this level. If things aren't working we will have either Norwood or Jackson on the bench who are top strikers at this level as a Plan B.
It's not a triumph for the system or the management, but because we have better players. The difference in the first 6 games of the season, compared to the next 6 with regards to getting bodies in the box was mental - we had 5 or 6 players in there when we scored goals and had chances, we've done that once or twice since. Confidence?
....if we get the players back, it's surely impossible for even Lambert to fook it up.
Evans simply has to be gambling (with the Lambert "pay off" money) that we get players back in the New Year and by default we get into the top 2, or squeeze through the play offs.
The massive gamble is on getting the players fit and keeping them fit.
Perhaps we should get a fitness coach?
"The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025)
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Yep, this is pretty much my view on it..... on 10:23 - Dec 7 with 2501 views
Yep, this is pretty much my view on it..... on 10:11 - Dec 7 by Bloots
....if we get the players back, it's surely impossible for even Lambert to fook it up.
Evans simply has to be gambling (with the Lambert "pay off" money) that we get players back in the New Year and by default we get into the top 2, or squeeze through the play offs.
The massive gamble is on getting the players fit and keeping them fit.
Perhaps we should get a fitness coach?
It will always be that we might go up despite shambert. The chances massively increases with someone competent and probably would have happened already....somehow he is the highest paid in the league though
Yep, this is pretty much my view on it..... on 10:23 - Dec 7 by Bluefish
It will always be that we might go up despite shambert. The chances massively increases with someone competent and probably would have happened already....somehow he is the highest paid in the league though
"The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025)
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2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 11:02 - Dec 7 with 2409 views
I understand we want to play football the "right" way, I just don't get the sudden urge for all these teams to try and play like Man City, especially with no where near the same talent. I mean even Arsenal are at it with Arteta's City influence, they have scored 10 goals all season.
Liverpool and Bayern have been the dominant teams in recent years, they don't pass it around 50 times between the defence.
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2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 11:03 - Dec 7 with 2406 views
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 10:02 - Dec 7 by Bluefish
Dobra has to play for me. He has had an impact already just through his positivity and by buzzing around closing down. The way he carries the ball and his balance is class, probably only Bishop being similar. Not starting the Edwards debate again but in time it will be shown that he is not in the same class as that team. I'd like to see Jack take the place on the right or potentially Bennetts, they both need a run in a settled team but offer the side so much more
Lankester and Bennetts are getting runs in the side, and are achieveing nothing in reality - I really like Lankester as a footballer but he's been poor for us this season so far - that's not writing him off as he's returning from a huge injury and is a player with great potential - but Edwards has been streets ahead of him in almost every facet of the game so far this season.
At the moment Dobra should be playuing, but when everyone is fit he will need to have put strong run of performances together to ensure that he stays in the team
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 11:02 - Dec 7 by JDB23
I understand we want to play football the "right" way, I just don't get the sudden urge for all these teams to try and play like Man City, especially with no where near the same talent. I mean even Arsenal are at it with Arteta's City influence, they have scored 10 goals all season.
Liverpool and Bayern have been the dominant teams in recent years, they don't pass it around 50 times between the defence.
The key is to press and play with intensity.
The teams that get the "passing the right way" football wrong just have no tempo or energy in the team/play.
The examples you cite Bayern and Liverpool are full of pace and power, a bit like Arsenal around 98-02.
The current Arsenal team have none of that and nor do we without our best players fit and firing. Anyone can pass the ball around, but to be successful you need that intensity which we often lack.
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2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 12:56 - Dec 7 with 2242 views
2 bug factors should not be forgotten on 11:41 - Dec 7 by Ace_High1
The key is to press and play with intensity.
The teams that get the "passing the right way" football wrong just have no tempo or energy in the team/play.
The examples you cite Bayern and Liverpool are full of pace and power, a bit like Arsenal around 98-02.
The current Arsenal team have none of that and nor do we without our best players fit and firing. Anyone can pass the ball around, but to be successful you need that intensity which we often lack.
The other thing you need is an extremely tightly coached and drilled team. To an extent within both Klopp and Pep's teams the players are secondary to the system because they're all coached and drilled to fit into too. One player drops out, another fills in and everyone knows exactly what their role is.
That Man is notoriously not a manager to 'do details' like, actual coaching and setting up teams properly.
I'm one of the people who was blamed for getting Paul Cook sacked. PM for the full post.