It’s probably the best in the division with the ball, Leif, Philogene. Jen’s…, not many with more quality going forwards.
One of the worst without the ball. Phil isn’t interested in defending, Jens can’t do it, and Leif has had 3 years coaching to still be poor positionally, and getting the right side.
With the ball, we have huge quality for the level, we aren’t good in and around the box, but likely that will come.
What 100% won’t come is without the ball…, we’ve been very poor for a very long time, and against quality, we get punished, we even give away key chances at any level. Any professional side can get quality chances down our left.
We can’t drop Leif and Phil, they’re our best players.
Jen’s can’t do a double pivot, the defensive side, it’s been obvious for 12 months. It’s not levels that were the problem, he doesn’t have the defensive skill set. Players run past him, and off him all the time.
It’s ok in possession and at home where we are less exposed, out of possession, it’s as poor as I can remember in decades, and it’s the same when we win too, very very poor, with no cover at all. Down that side. But also generally.
We don’t have a left side CDM in the entire squad.
We’ve spent £200 million…, and Mats looks very good, but has to did that role for TWO players for 50 games…, that’s not happening.
The lack of balance is so poor, because it’s by design - we built this squad TWICE spending eye watering money.
You’d assume Mckenaa was switching to a 3, having SO many number 8’s
Taylor, Humphries. Nunez, Jens.
Any side would love that quality .., and we chose a system where none of them can play.
Nunez right side of Mats is where we likely end up, because McKenna won’t switch his system, he can’t, he doesn’t have the flexibility.
That lack of flexibility, and lack of ability to sign round pegs for round holes.., is 100% why he’s not elite.
Sorry, but this isn’t about coaching.
It’s about talent ID, Strategy, self awareness, knowing your own weaknesses, and accepting them. Then and only then can you mitigate them, and build.
In Ashton and McKenna we are miles off elite in all those areas.
We could never win away with this xi .., they’re weak and vulnerable, and even at this level, coaches see these things quickly.
Press Jen’s, attack down that channel, expose Leif, Philogene won’t offer much that direction…, it’s really easy.
We are predictable, easy to play against, and as poor off the ball as any time in decades.
Considering the quality we have in this group, hugely talented players, but not put together as a team.., more fantasy football.., dozens of hugely talented inside forwards, and not a single CDM to win the ball back alongside Mats
It’s gross negligence when you’ve spent £200 million in the process.
We need agency and accountability. It’s not the rains fault, or the training ground, we aren’t a league one teeny tiny club either!
Support isn’t nodding along, it’s not blind venting or criticism either, it’s 100% behind everyone at the club on match days, and genuine scrutiny and constructive criticism in between.
McKenna and Ashton. They aren’t elite.., this not what elite looks like.
That’s not conjecture anymore. Over to the owners.
There seems to be a vacuum, zero agency and accountability, and Ashton does what he wants, when he wants, with zero consequence.
That’s not how you run a club if you want to be elite, building it around one person, when that person doesn’t have a track record to warrant it.
Would love to see us play a 3.
Sammie has been ruined goals wise, Jens and Nunez as two 8’s …, would save Mats having to do 3 players jobs.
Amazing I don’t think I’ve ever seen us play it, under McKenna .., makes signing all those 8’s interesting.
The coaching challenge .., it’s more important than the club and results.., its ego isn’t it. It’s can’t be round pegs in round holes.., where’s the glory in that.
We’ll get there .., established .., pushing for Europe once more.., I can taste it. Almost touch it.
But it won’t be under Ashton and McKenna. |  |
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