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CoolClaret

Only two variables for me from Sunday. Firstly Ugo starting for Laurent, with Luis deployed in a deep central defensive midfield role. Secondly Hannibal for Tchaoumu, and playing just behind Foster. Think SP will give Tuanzebe a run of games. I hope he realises that Lauren's hybrid role is not bene...

CoolClaret

There's not enough of a sample size yet to make definitive claims about teams' strengths/weaknesses. Need at least another 3 games, more like 5-7 though, imo.

CoolClaret

Apologies for using a source that records goals, assists, defensive contributions. It doesn't seem he has any. Feel free to find any other source that suggests otherwise. Or you can just stick to thinking he does a lot through your own eyes, which is fine, but it's not likely enough to convince oth...

CoolClaret

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 07, 2025 6:54 pm
I just checked his fantasy league points to see if i have missed any contributions.
He is on 11 points for the season (Hartman has 21) and has gone down in price.

Maybe he's not contributing as much as you think?

Jesus wept.

CoolClaret

They are actually starting to get smaller again. Player size peaked around 2009 and now falling again. There was a big Italian study done on MND, footballers are 6 x more likely to suffer. They think it's due to oxygen depletion in elite sports affecting people who have the faulty gene, not done to...

CoolClaret

Sick of these sh1theads ruining our game... and those who meekly roll over and accept it.

Disgraceful.

CoolClaret

Absolutely bonkers that people are even debating this. There’s some truth in the stats that mental health issues have increased in this country. Reflecting the hate-algorithms and trolls/attention seekers that use them to sway opinion. Always so reactionary, with little to no room for any semblance...

CoolClaret

Definitely played 4-3-3 a fair bit last season, typically when Brownhill and Hannibal started, with both of them 8s alongside Cullen, when Laurent started then it was, typically, more 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 with Brownhill playing on the final line and Laurent / Cullen as a 2. But yeah, the 4-3-3 would still...

CoolClaret

Funny enough I was just clipping some of the Sunderland game (given we won) to use as discussion for systems on here. If Lesley is brought in, to form a 3, as many want, it will be interesting to see how Parker sets up off the ball (equally as important). Against Sunderland it was a front 2 press i...

CoolClaret

NewClaret wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 05, 2025 9:17 pm
My son must’ve been on the same social media mentioned. Kept ranting about Tuanzebe without being able to describe a single thing he did wrong.

Decent performance, I thought.

He was fine, just looked a bit rusty.

This may sound a bit mad, but is one option Walker at CB and Tuanzebe at RB?

CoolClaret

We finally have 3 central midfielders who would look strong together , but we haven’t started them yet. It would be a travesty if we don’t get to see how it works out. I feel it would give others a bit more freedom too. Hartman could still get forward , Walker at right back may also give us a chanc...

CoolClaret

Spijed wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 05, 2025 5:20 pm
Wouldn't be a great surprise if both managers "settled" for a draw, just like last season.

I think it would - entirely different circumstances this season.

CoolClaret

I stand by what I said this week in regard to the Leeds game being 'must win'. It just isn't, a draw doesn't leave us needing snookers or anything near it. Many will disagree but if we draw, are the contributors to this board chucking the towel in? We need to win games and it looks like the home fo...

CoolClaret

Leeds can look all they want. I'm expecting us to have our fair share of the ball too and not rely on counter-attacking, especially at home. I want us to go at them. Luis is more than good enough to act as a shield to protect our defence allowing our lads to press on. As you said, we need to be at ...

CoolClaret

Spijed wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 05, 2025 4:34 pm
What about Humpreys in the middle of the defence?

Yes, Humphreys is a shout as well, I'd half forgotten about him.

CoolClaret

Dubravka 8*
Walker 6
Esteve 5
Tuanzebe 6
Laurent 6
Hartman 6
Cullen 7
Florentino 8
Tchaouna 4
Anthony 5
Foster 4

Broja 4
Bruun Larsen 5
Ugochukwu 7

CoolClaret

No attacking midfielder in a central role. We look lost at times in the final third. Way way way off it. It’s going to be a long hard season. Liverpool got away with that for years with three water carriers in the middle (Hendo, Wijnaldum, Keita/Milner/whoever), we can do similar with our lads, alb...

CoolClaret

At no point today did we control the game. At absolute best we're capable of stringing two or three passes together before losing it. That isn't controlling the game. We were winning the midfield battle in the last twenty, pressing them well and getting the ball in better areas - to me that's contr...

CoolClaret

I feel like we have learned a lot today, and SP will have done as well. I understand him keeping the same personnel and making players earn their start, but I think the international break and our lacklustre first 70 minutes or so performance today presents a perfect opportunity for changes. -------...

CoolClaret

Sunderland fans were annoyed they went to United in a back 4 yesterday in the first half. Defence all over the place. Switched to a 5 at half time and looked miles better. I don’t think the system is major problem, but it needs to get Ugochukwu into the starting 11. Think that works against United ...

CoolClaret

Belial wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 05, 2025 4:03 pm
They made a big difference didn't they....

Yeah, it did actually, we scored and started controlling the game.

CoolClaret

Last 20 or so gives me hope.

What we can't do again is give up the midfield battle and play passively. We have to be tenacious and battle in the middle of the park - we certainly have enough quality there with Cullen, Les and Luis; they have to start every game together.

CoolClaret

Proper cheating see you next tuesdays these lot.

CoolClaret

Belial wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 05, 2025 3:38 pm
Not sure about that....even with the goal our xG is only 0.18!

Who gives a flying f***?

We've made changes; our xG prior to the changes doesn't have much relevance.

CoolClaret

Commy wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 05, 2025 3:37 pm
The 9-0 is still in Parker's head and he is scared of attacking. Both Leeds and Sunderland give it a go.

Sunderland is arguably more defensive than we are, just splurged massively on attacking talent and counterattack very well.

CoolClaret

Get in.

We can salvage something here! Positive vibes lads!!!

CoolClaret

fidelcastro wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 05, 2025 3:30 pm
For a minute there I thought we'd taken off a striker off for a defensive midfielder at 2-0 down... Oh hang on.

We've moved to a 4-3-3, positive change.

CoolClaret

Right we've got the three in midfield here, let's see how we get on.

CoolClaret

Last season he was a manager in the Championship which he is quite good at. This season he is a manager in the Premier League, his track record at this level is terrible. We have beaten a side promoted through the play offs and salvaged a draw against a Forest side struggling under a new coach. Vil...

CoolClaret

Hartman and Walker are good, but not so good on the ball to justify it imo. And they could still get forward in a 4, just less. We often have little to zero presence around the edge of the box. Agree with the little to no presence outside the edge of the box, but think Walker and Q are top - most o...

CoolClaret

A 5 makes us less solid and we don't have Les in midfield. I know it's a completely different level, but we had the best defence in championship history with a 4. Not sure why we don't give it a whirl The only reason I can think is that we can break quickly with this formation and get our best play...

CoolClaret

Can't play this line up then get caught with out pants down like that on half way. Just rubbish.

CoolClaret

Terrible defending, rookie stuff.

CoolClaret

Can't understand not playing a midfield three of Cullen, Florentino and Ugochukwu. Feels like Parker is overthinking it with this five at the back, it's not worth it if it means leaving out someone as good as Les. Yeah, got a feeling we will see those three together in our next game, with the inter...

CoolClaret

You'd imagine so. Tuanzebe central with Esteve and Laurent either side Also possible that it's a 3 man midfield of Laurent, Florentine and Cullen. Tuanzebe and Esteve could be a central back 2 But I'd be surprised away from home That's how I interpreted it as well - unless it changes in/out of poss...

CoolClaret

Sticking with the back 5 then!

Should have enough pace at the back there to keep up with Watkins, but still think Ugochukwu is too good to be on the bench.

We can get at these, let's have it.. UTC!

CoolClaret

QPR, got a bit of a soft spot for them, cool ground, cool kit.

Definitely not Chelsea - a club which exemplifies everything wrong with the modern game.

CoolClaret

Oh yes I am...

CoolClaret

I think more about them being promoted and then dropping. They looked a team that would be like us - if they drop, they go back up. Football can be a strange game though. You look at a team like Luton who drop twice after coming up from non-league. You see Southampton as too big a team to not go ba...

CoolClaret

ollieclarets8 wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 04, 2025 3:49 pm
Surprised Southampton aren't in the top 3-4.

Horrid managerial appointment, imo.

They've really lost their way over the past five years or so, Southampton.

CoolClaret

Wrote it in another thread but United are a different beast at home - genuinely think they're a better side than given credit for. They move the ball so quickly through the lines; if they'd have grabbed a midfielder or two to fit this system, they'd be higher in the table. They just run out of steam...

CoolClaret

I was here after the Sunderland win and wasn’t here straight after the Man City loss. I praised Ekdal after the Sunderland game btw and slagged him off after the Spurs game, I think that’s fair. He’s not good enough for the PL and never has been. How about trying to be measured with your opinions d...

CoolClaret

Spurs and Man United were 17th and 15th last season, why are they suddenly now top 6 sides to suit your argument? Man united are so shite they nearly gifted us a point despite steam rolling us. (albeit they lost) but United absolutely spanked Arsenal at home this year, beat Chelsea and I think they...

CoolClaret

The algorithms have done a real job on people - as evident with some of the responses in this thread.

An incredibly dark day.

Major props to the law enforcement on the scene who prevented it from being any worse.

CoolClaret

Goal scoring machine - seems like he's just added heading to his locker as well as his all-around link-up play.

For me has the potential to be the greatest goal scorer and perhaps even striker of all time. He's incredible.

CoolClaret

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 29, 2025 2:24 pm
Morning

TBF I did have palm trees in my childhood home somewhere up Brunshaw

CoolClaret

I've seen Foster taking some stick about not being in the right place at the right time or not playing like an out and out number nine. The way we are setting up means he is having to run channels and press from the front. I believe this suits his game anyway, picking the ball up in the left channe...

CoolClaret

Our strongest central midfield (I don't think we have seen them together yet) on paper is Luis, Cullen and Ugochukwu. It appears to have a good balance and something we can build the team around. IMO this is where we start with our team selection and then fit the other elements of the side around t...

CoolClaret

https://datagolf.com/ryder-cup/strokes-gained

Henley and Lowry the two best on the day - very high level match, again massive respect to Shane Lowry, absolutely magic on those last 3 holes. Sensational stuff.

CoolClaret

Easy to say with hindsight, but do you think Donald was going for the kill with the lineup today? Perhaps a more spread out lineup would have been a better strategy... Again easy to say... I do believe if Rosie had dropped his putt or Young had missed his, we'd have wrapped that up early. Ludvig Abe...

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