Kompany: time to go

[spt_claret]

Think you are wrong about THB, Tella and Maatsen. Reasons being:

- THB was slow and not particularly commanding in my opinion.
- Tella scored lots but mainly against the weaker teams (12 came vs bottom half teams I think). He’s not scoring regularly in the Bundesliga (a league Weghorst can score in!) despite being in a team at the top of the league.
- Maatsen is a cracking player but very suspect defensively where he’d be asked a lot more questions this season.

I don’t think they significantly improve the team we have today.

I’d agree that fewer signings with more experience and strength may have served us better (none of the above players are more experienced or stronger though).

Bellis was very overrated IMO, better than O'Shea though so in that sense would have improved us but he'd be 4th choice for me.
Maatsen, more two footed than Taylor which makes him harder to pressure, better on the ball and going forward, I agree defensively he'd struggle massively but being better on the ball might have helped with some of our issues at retaining possession.
Tella's an odd one. Never performed in the Prem, not ripping up trees in the Bundesliga, a lot of his goals were condensed into a short handful/run of games...but at the same time he was our top scorer and demonstrated pace, strength, technical ability, a good finish, and most crucially of all an ability to make runs in behind and between the defensive channels which nobody other than Foster is currently making for us. He'd have been a possible outlet for that reason alone. Overpriced maybe but a lot of the signings we DID make are looking overpriced, and he wouldn't need to bed in. At the time I was against signing him at the quoted price because I figured we'd get a left back, striker, and holding midfielder in for the first team and we'd need those funds to do so. In hindsight I'd have signed him over at least 3 of our new wingers. Plus the sheer lift it'd have given the crowd and possibly the squad...I worry from the summer window and selection policy that Kompany's man management skills are behind the curve.

He can attract players with his name and reputation, he clearly has a vision for an ultra attacking, fluid, possession based side tactically, but the tactics are failing in the PL in part due to the improved standard of opposition, I'd argue in part due to personnel selection, and the latter in particular is baffling when he talks of picking on form then proceeds...not to. It can't be a good motivating factor for some players. Brun Larsen gets subbed on then subbed off due to Roberts' red card when he looked decent, he looks lively every cameo but never gets more than 25, 30 minutes. It's shades of Dyche's penultimate season when Vydra got in, did well with Wood, then got benched again- or the final year where a switch to 433 with him/Jay/Cornet nearly beat Chelsea then was never tried again.
When everyone is fit it will be interesting to see what happens. On form:
-Ekdal should be in, never had a below average game for us last year
-Benson should be in, frail and mercurial but one of the few reliable X factor goal threats we have while our other wingers are drawing blanks
-Brun Larsen should be in, can play anywhere across the front from what I've seen always looks lively and has a ton of tools in his locker
-Quite honestly, Muric should have started the season- Trafford was at fault for multiple goals in preseason while Muric had good performances, improved massively last season, and after a couple games where he picked up a little Trafford had a very poor game all round yesterday.

A lot of managers are resistant to change. Kompany switched yesterday to the 433 he used against City, but his personnel selections remain mystifying. He rotates when you don't expect it but doesn't bring in players when you do. I'm still team Kompany In as we would be entirely without direction to cut him now, but if things aren't better in a month I do think we have to consider it to give a new guy time to identify January recruits to shore things up. It's a learning curve for him sure, but you have to learn quicker than this, especially when there's so much financially at stake.

[ClaretAL]

I think for most people, certainly myself, it’s not the fact that we didn’t beat Bournemouth. Every game at this level will be tough and there will be a lot of tight games that we come out on the wrong side of. The concern is that we simply couldn’t compete against a team that we will most likely need to finish above to survive. I can take a defeat, but that performance was totally unacceptable and miles away from anything that will earn us points.

The other disappointment is our complete lack of identity. I would much rather have watched last season’s team play with the same style and character and lose games than watch whatever it is we’re trying to do now.

I started a thread after the game titled ‘maximum effort is the minimum requirement’, it didn’t exactly go viral. But the other point, which may not be a popular one, is that the players aren’t giving 100%. There’s no way that the players are leaving everything on the pitch and fighting for each other. That is extremely worrying and will ultimately fall on Vinny, who also looked forlorn and a beaten man on the sideline. During one of the stoppages in play I would have expected him to call the team over for a ‘time out’ - we saw this a lot of times last season. But instead we just sleep walked into defeat.

Totally agree with this. Tear up the blue print of whatever the current system is trying to be and go back to last year’s where at least options for a pass forward will be available. VK just needs to put his hand up and nurture the young guns with experience on the field rather than keep moving them around like a missing square puzzle hoping at some point it will click.

[bumba]

I didn't say we won't sell, read what I put because I'm saying "NO ONE WILL BUY ANY OF THESE PLAYER'S" apart from Foster

The players will sell, just not for the profit margin we was hoping for

[RVclaret]

Totally agree with this. Tear up the blue print of whatever the current system is trying to be and go back to last year’s where at least options for a pass forward will be available. VK just needs to put his hand up and nurture the young guns with experience on the field rather than keep moving them around like a missing square puzzle hoping at some point it will click.

Current system is pretty much the exact same as last season.

The team that started yesterday played in the same shape that we did at Bournemouth in the cup.

Same midfield 3, two touchline wingers, false 9 type forward. Main difference being no Beyer or Roberts.

[Clovius Boofus]

My post was in direct reply to that quote.

Why don’t you just read before ripping into posters.

I did, and I called you out on your BS. Hope this helps.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I did, and I called you out on your BS. Hope this helps.

Haha ok whatever floats your boat

[warksclaret]

I think for most people, certainly myself, it’s not the fact that we didn’t beat Bournemouth. Every game at this level will be tough and there will be a lot of tight games that we come out on the wrong side of. The concern is that we simply couldn’t compete against a team that we will most likely need to finish above to survive. I can take a defeat, but that performance was totally unacceptable and miles away from anything that will earn us points.

The other disappointment is our complete lack of identity. I would much rather have watched last season’s team play with the same style and character and lose games than watch whatever it is we’re trying to do now.

I started a thread after the game titled ‘maximum effort is the minimum requirement’, it didn’t exactly go viral. But the other point, which may not be a popular one, is that the players aren’t giving 100%. There’s no way that the players are leaving everything on the pitch and fighting for each other. That is extremely worrying and will ultimately fall on Vinny, who also looked forlorn and a beaten man on the sideline. During one of the stoppages in play I would have expected him to call the team over for a ‘time out’ - we saw this a lot of times last season. But instead we just sleep walked into defeat.

Its a good point about Vinnie not calling the team over during play.I think the pressure is getting to him, and its clouding his judgement and initiative. I have also sensed that great unity between him and his coaching team appears to not be there anymore.I suspect other of the good practices from last season may have gone too. He is definitely on the back foot and I suspect has dreaded the last 2-3 post match conferences which is why I believe yesterday he soaked up some of the interview time by going on about VAR. It was after drawing to Forest that he said there was no point worrying about VAR as it was something we had no control over, VAR will even itself out over a season-as a fan base we only debate decisions that go against us

[Rileybobs]

Current system is pretty much the exact same as last season.

The team that started yesterday played in the same shape that we did at Bournemouth in the cup.

Same midfield 3, two touchline wingers, false 9 type forward. Main difference being no Beyer or Roberts.

Not sure how you can say it is the exact same system. Last season’s team was obsessed with possession, in the second half yesterday we weren’t interested in keeping the ball. Last season off the ball we were tenacious and pressed high up the pitch, this season we lack energy and the pressing is disjointed and comes sporadically from individuals rather than as a team.

[xxmunkyennuixx]

We need to back him loudly on Saturday. Adding more pressure (being shite plastic fans) to the mix will not help.

He's going to be a great manager but he's learning and he's hit a barrier. Feels like he's solving a systemic issue and he's got lost and muddled. Everything looks confused. He was a great player but he could handle himself as well. He needs to bring that hardness right now because the youngsters are meek as **** and they aren't competing.

He has to get the core of the team right - be consistent with squad selection. We need experienced players with some desire to scrap. Muric, double pivot of Cork and Cullen, Beyer, Ekdal, Taylor, Browny, Fozzy should be the core. Gut feeling Brunn Larsen has a bit about himself. Stick with that for ten games and see where it takes us.

I think if we go through this rough patch together in unity, we will not only keep a great manager but he will better appreciate what our fans are and our club are about. We can only benefit by supporting him.

[Boss Hogg]

The one thing Forest did under Cooper was completely change the way they played as he realised it wasn't working and they were certainties for the drop.

It was interesting to hear Thomas Frank’s ( who I’ve a always rated as a very good manager) thoughts when he watched one of our earlier games. He said we would have to adapt the way we played if we were to survive in the PL. The noises coming out of the management team are that we won’t change.

[Big Vinny K]

Current system is pretty much the exact same as last season.

Main difference being no Beyer or Roberts.

And Benson who scored 2 and was replaced by Tella.
We also had Barnes who was playing a very different and much more effective role than Amdouni did and Zaroury who was full of confidence and tore them apart in that game running at their defenders constantly.

Not sure how that system yesterday could have been the same given the difference in style between Barnes and Amdouni. I didn’t see all the game yesterday but if they did try and play the same system then that is a big mistake in itself thinking Amdouni could play that role.

Bournemouth played a strong team in the cup against us and we were the much better side and given their poor form this year for them to dominate as much as they did yesterday has got to be worrying to say the least.

[ksrclaret]

He has to get the core of the team right - be consistent with squad selection. We need experienced players with some desire to scrap. Muric, double pivot of Cork and Cullen, Beyer, Ekdal, Taylor, Browny, Fozzy should be the core. Gut feeling Brunn Larsen has a bit about himself. Stick with that for ten games and see where it takes us.

This is exactly it.

VK needs to show now he can see what's right in front of him. Get back to basics. Get the most solid and experienced players on the pitch.

Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Taylor
Cork Cullen
JBG Brownhill JBL
Foster

That line-up has some bite about it, some quality, and some leadership. I know Ekdal and Beyer aren't available right now, but the rest are.

If VK can't put his pride and ego aside now, I don't know where he or us go from here.

[eastcoastclaret]

At the end of the day, BFC is a business. I think supporters forget that. The owners and its investors have spent a lot of time and money trying to improve the club and its image over the last two years. If we continue to decline in the way we are doing, and there is no sign that Kompany is beginning to turn it around, then he will be sacked. If he goes, it will be a business decision from the club.

[AGENT_CLARET]

This is exactly it.

VK needs to show now he can see what's right in front of him. Get back to basics. Get the most solid and experienced players on the pitch.

Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Taylor
Cork Cullen
JBG Brownhill JBL
Foster

That line-up has some bite about it, some quality, and some leadership. I know Ekdal and Beyer aren't available right now, but the rest are.

If VK can't put his pride and ego aside now, I don't know where he or us go from here.

Down

[RVclaret]

And Benson who scored 2 and was replaced by Tella.
We also had Barnes who was playing a very different and much more effective role than Amdouni did and Zaroury who was full of confidence and tore them apart in that game running at their defenders constantly.

Not sure how that system yesterday could have been the same given the difference in style between Barnes and Amdouni. I didn’t see all the game yesterday but if they did try and play the same system then that is a big mistake in itself thinking Amdouni could play that role.

Bournemouth played a strong team in the cup against us and we were the much better side and given their poor form this year for them to dominate as much as they did yesterday has got to be worrying to say the least.

Amdouni was dropping deep yesterday like Barnes did. Unfortunately we couldn’t find his feet and he’s not as effective as Barnes was for more direct stuff. Also our pressing on that day was far better.

Definitely worrying as you say given how the match played out but I might add since that cup match they’ve spent over £150m on their squad.

[ksrclaret]

Down

Well yeah, obviously. The point is I’m not sure where either go in the long term. For all the talk of us walking the championship again, keep losing like this all season and there’s no chance the relationship lasts.

To be honest, even if we field my suggested line-up, it’s likely we’ll still go down owing to the disastrous recruitment. At least we’d compete though unlike the last two pathetic displays.

[ksrclaret]

Amdouni was dropping deep yesterday like Barnes did. Unfortunately we couldn’t find his feet and he’s not as effective as Barnes was for more direct stuff. Also our pressing on that day was far better.

Definitely worrying as you say given how the match played out but I might add since that cup match they’ve spent over £150m on their squad.

And our spending isn’t too far behind, relatively.

[boyyanno]

Not sure how you can say it is the exact same system. Last season’s team was obsessed with possession, in the second half yesterday we weren’t interested in keeping the ball. Last season off the ball we were tenacious and pressed high up the pitch, this season we lack energy and the pressing is disjointed and comes sporadically from individuals rather than as a team.

I don't think it's the same system at all, it might be a similar shape but that's about it.

Last year we pressed high and in groups, like you say we wanted that slow possession to build up to an attack, moving it out wide one way to then shift it quickly to the other side. It feels like we have no idea how to transition the football from one side of the pitch to the other at the moment. This team only seems to have one idea and it's give the ball to Koleosho and hope he takes on a few men.

We have got a few talented individuals but at the moment we are a million miles away from being a team. I think the squad has lost a lot of character too without Barnes, Tella, Maatsen. Whatever we are doing tactically has to change alongside personal in my opinion.

[RVclaret]

Not sure how you can say it is the exact same system. Last season’s team was obsessed with possession, in the second half yesterday we weren’t interested in keeping the ball. Last season off the ball we were tenacious and pressed high up the pitch, this season we lack energy and the pressing is disjointed and comes sporadically from individuals rather than as a team.

I think we still want to keep possession and play in the same way but we just can’t / completely lacking confidence / players still adapting. The pressing being disjointed etc doesn’t mean it’s not the same shape / system, which was my point.

[Hedontplayforyou]

As someone stated , we need a solid spine and a regular 8-10.

Ideally for me we’d have Ekdal and Beyer back and go with those two.

Keeper
Any of Roberts/O’Shea/Al-Dakhil at fullback never vitinho
Ekdal
Beyer
Taylor
Cullen
Cork
Foster
Larsen

And rotate the 10 and left winger where required . Keep any of the right back picks regular and have a steady defence. He tried Al-Dakhil at right back in pre season and he played a blinder against benfica in the first half . For me the two central midfielders need to sit and protect , we are too expansive at the moment with nothing actually coming from it . To keep it more solid I’d go with Redmond from the off on the left and replace when needed.

[warksclaret]

Bellis was very overrated IMO, better than O'Shea though so in that sense would have improved us but he'd be 4th choice for me.
Maatsen, more two footed than Taylor which makes him harder to pressure, better on the ball and going forward, I agree defensively he'd struggle massively but being better on the ball might have helped with some of our issues at retaining possession.
Tella's an odd one. Never performed in the Prem, not ripping up trees in the Bundesliga, a lot of his goals were condensed into a short handful/run of games...but at the same time he was our top scorer and demonstrated pace, strength, technical ability, a good finish, and most crucially of all an ability to make runs in behind and between the defensive channels which nobody other than Foster is currently making for us. He'd have been a possible outlet for that reason alone. Overpriced maybe but a lot of the signings we DID make are looking overpriced, and he wouldn't need to bed in. At the time I was against signing him at the quoted price because I figured we'd get a left back, striker, and holding midfielder in for the first team and we'd need those funds to do so. In hindsight I'd have signed him over at least 3 of our new wingers. Plus the sheer lift it'd have given the crowd and possibly the squad...I worry from the summer window and selection policy that Kompany's man management skills are behind the curve.

He can attract players with his name and reputation, he clearly has a vision for an ultra attacking, fluid, possession based side tactically, but the tactics are failing in the PL in part due to the improved standard of opposition, I'd argue in part due to personnel selection, and the latter in particular is baffling when he talks of picking on form then proceeds...not to. It can't be a good motivating factor for some players. Brun Larsen gets subbed on then subbed off due to Roberts' red card when he looked decent, he looks lively every cameo but never gets more than 25, 30 minutes. It's shades of Dyche's penultimate season when Vydra got in, did well with Wood, then got benched again- or the final year where a switch to 433 with him/Jay/Cornet nearly beat Chelsea then was never tried again.
When everyone is fit it will be interesting to see what happens. On form:
-Ekdal should be in, never had a below average game for us last year
-Benson should be in, frail and mercurial but one of the few reliable X factor goal threats we have while our other wingers are drawing blanks
-Brun Larsen should be in, can play anywhere across the front from what I've seen always looks lively and has a ton of tools in his locker
-Quite honestly, Muric should have started the season- Trafford was at fault for multiple goals in preseason while Muric had good performances, improved massively last season, and after a couple games where he picked up a little Trafford had a very poor game all round yesterday.

A lot of managers are resistant to change. Kompany switched yesterday to the 433 he used against City, but his personnel selections remain mystifying. He rotates when you don't expect it but doesn't bring in players when you do. I'm still team Kompany In as we would be entirely without direction to cut him now, but if things aren't better in a month I do think we have to consider it to give a new guy time to identify January recruits to shore things up. It's a learning curve for him sure, but you have to learn quicker than this, especially when there's so much financially at stake.

If Tella not playing well in Germany, then maybe a cheeky loan in Jan-would be cover for Foster during Africa Cup too

[warksclaret]

As someone stated , we need a solid spine and a regular 8-10.

Ideally for me we’d have Ekdal and Beyer back and go with those two.

Keeper
Any of Roberts/O’Shea/Al-Dakhil at fullback never vitinho
Ekdal
Beyer
Taylor
Cullen
Cork
Foster
Larsen

And rotate the 10 and left winger where required . Keep any of the right back picks regular and have a steady defence. He tried Al-Dakhil at right back in pre season and he played a blinder against benfica in the first half . For me the two central midfielders need to sit and protect , we are too expansive at the moment with nothing actually coming from it . To keep it more solid I’d go with Redmond from the off on the left and replace when needed.
[Was me who said a regular bunch of playersto be used, but needs to include Berge who if played in advanced position can make a huge difference, and Amdouini. Both are regular and successful for Norway and Switzerland but we have not got the best out of them

[Hedontplayforyou]

I’d love to see Berge and Amdouni in the starting lineup but he’s tried this and it hasn’t worked unfortunately it leaves Cullen alone in the middle and we get ran over . My preference in the advanced role would be Berge to start and Amdouni to replace.

[northeastclaret]

Bellis was very overrated IMO, better than O'Shea though so in that sense would have improved us but he'd be 4th choice for me.
Maatsen, more two footed than Taylor which makes him harder to pressure, better on the ball and going forward, I agree defensively he'd struggle massively but being better on the ball might have helped with some of our issues at retaining possession.
Tella's an odd one. Never performed in the Prem, not ripping up trees in the Bundesliga, a lot of his goals were condensed into a short handful/run of games...but at the same time he was our top scorer and demonstrated pace, strength, technical ability, a good finish, and most crucially of all an ability to make runs in behind and between the defensive channels which nobody other than Foster is currently making for us. He'd have been a possible outlet for that reason alone. Overpriced maybe but a lot of the signings we DID make are looking overpriced, and he wouldn't need to bed in. At the time I was against signing him at the quoted price because I figured we'd get a left back, striker, and holding midfielder in for the first team and we'd need those funds to do so. In hindsight I'd have signed him over at least 3 of our new wingers. Plus the sheer lift it'd have given the crowd and possibly the squad...I worry from the summer window and selection policy that Kompany's man management skills are behind the curve.

He can attract players with his name and reputation, he clearly has a vision for an ultra attacking, fluid, possession based side tactically, but the tactics are failing in the PL in part due to the improved standard of opposition, I'd argue in part due to personnel selection, and the latter in particular is baffling when he talks of picking on form then proceeds...not to. It can't be a good motivating factor for some players. Brun Larsen gets subbed on then subbed off due to Roberts' red card when he looked decent, he looks lively every cameo but never gets more than 25, 30 minutes. It's shades of Dyche's penultimate season when Vydra got in, did well with Wood, then got benched again- or the final year where a switch to 433 with him/Jay/Cornet nearly beat Chelsea then was never tried again.
When everyone is fit it will be interesting to see what happens. On form:
-Ekdal should be in, never had a below average game for us last year
-Benson should be in, frail and mercurial but one of the few reliable X factor goal threats we have while our other wingers are drawing blanks
-Brun Larsen should be in, can play anywhere across the front from what I've seen always looks lively and has a ton of tools in his locker
-Quite honestly, Muric should have started the season- Trafford was at fault for multiple goals in preseason while Muric had good performances, improved massively last season, and after a couple games where he picked up a little Trafford had a very poor game all round yesterday.

A lot of managers are resistant to change. Kompany switched yesterday to the 433 he used against City, but his personnel selections remain mystifying. He rotates when you don't expect it but doesn't bring in players when you do. I'm still team Kompany In as we would be entirely without direction to cut him now, but if things aren't better in a month I do think we have to consider it to give a new guy time to identify January recruits to shore things up. It's a learning curve for him sure, but you have to learn quicker than this, especially when there's so much financially at stake.
[/quote]






I totally agree with your excellent post above , but would also be using Redmond and Cork much more as well Gudmundson. Time for experience heads now.

We have seen how long it takes younger inexperienced players to
get up to steam and the way they are rotated it will take months. The strategy at the moment is ridiculous, see how well we played the last ten minutes with more experienced players on the pitch, yesterday .

[xxmunkyennuixx]

Berge did well wide at Forest so maybe slot him there. I didn't include him because I never want to see him in pivot or alongside Cullen on his own. Just lacks the zip to cover the pitch defensively.

[thelifeofbrian]

Ridiculous comments ref getting rid of Kompany, The project is still work in progress and the team are trying, - give him a chance and get on board.

[Dingo]

I agree with you mostly re strategy and team selection. But I’m also comfortable with the idea that Kompany needs this season to learn, adapt and improve, and then we can see if he really is out of his depth or not at this level. It’s rare that young, inexperienced managers get it right straight away when in the EPL the first time. I’m happy to give him time and if that means going down and then coming back up, I’m ok with that. I also don’t think the situation with the second goal is unforgivable. I can forgive mistakes, such as Vitinho’s poor pass and Trafford’s positioning was fine. It was just a bad mistake in a key transition. Everyone makes mistakes though.

[ClaretAL]

Just watch this and you can see the off the ball runs to give opportunity for the passing. Totally different to how we played yesterday

https://youtu.be/5FosXi9IPQc?feature=shared

[CoolClaret]

Ridiculous comments ref getting rid of Kompany, The project is still work in progress and the team are trying, - give him a chance and get on board.

Fair bored of hearing this term in all honesty.

It’s football, the team is crap, the plan in summer was crap and the unity is non existent

Every team and side ‘has a project’ - we’ve gone backwards.

Their ‘project’ is buying relatively low and selling high; the first shot at money to spend looks a car crash. It fills me with no hope for the rest of the ‘project’ for if/when they decide to reload again.

[CoolClaret]

Just watch this and you can see the off the ball runs to give opportunity for the passing. Totally different to how we played yesterday

https://youtu.be/5FosXi9IPQc?feature=shared

It’s chalk and cheese mate.

That was a unified team with players that fought for each other and for the shirt.

We’re a mess right now.

[Casper2]

Bringing Larsen on and playing him left wing keeping Koleosho on the right , WTF

[taio]

Bringing Larsen on and playing him left wing keeping Koleosho on the right , WTF

Thought exactly the same. Didn't get it at all.

[Spijed]

Just watch this and you can see the off the ball runs to give opportunity for the passing. Totally different to how we played yesterday

https://youtu.be/5FosXi9IPQc?feature=shared

Watching the game last season you can see how well we pressed but also how poor we were defendng at times.

[Big Vinny K]

Amdouni was dropping deep yesterday like Barnes did. Unfortunately we couldn’t find his feet and he’s not as effective as Barnes was for more direct stuff. Also our pressing on that day was far better.

Definitely worrying as you say given how the match played out but I might add since that cup match they’ve spent over £150m on their squad.

Since that game what both teams have spent is actually very similar.
The team they picked yesterday was not that different at all to the one we beat….especially in the second half of the cup game after they had made a few subs.
The common denominator at the moment seems to be that the huge spend has made little difference to either team - and there’s a very strong argument based on the difference in our display yesterday and January that it’s made us worse.

[jlup1980]

Given what we've already seen this season I'd say both goals yesterday were unforgivable. How many more times are we going to concede by giving the ball away cheaply in midfield before it's highlighted as a chronic issue. Berge vs Brentford, Ramsey vs Newcastle, Ramsey vs Villa, Taylor and Vitinho yesterday. I know there are others but it's too depressing to look back further!! We simply haven't got a chance if we're handing goals to the opposition every single week and the coaching staff should be picking up on this and trying to rectify it. However, it's Groundhog Day every week.

[Boss Hogg]

We are not improving each week but going backwards. Nothing to suggest this pattern won’t continue except blind faith.

[Darnhill Claret]

Think at the moment and for the majority of the season we are trying to play, wide left and narrow right when going forward. Unfortunately whatever we are doing, it requires our players to 'play better'. There is not much that the manager and his coaching team can do about that, apart from maybe looking at ways of boosting confidence and self belief which seems to drain out of us too soon and too often. A trend of play at the back that we have to change is when our keeper delays taking that first touch, which automatically improves their press. Then we really struggle to pass our way forward as they are right on top of us. I'm sure you've all noticed that our keeper receives a back pass around the penalty spot but allows the ball to roll all the way back to the six yard line before playing it. That immediately puts us under unnecessary pressure and that sets the trend for the rest of the game, a nervousness on the pitch and in the stadium.

[KRBFC]

I must have been watching another game
I'm sure Amdouni started the match

Whether Kompany goes or stays there will be very little difference to our results sequence with the central midfield options we have at this moment in time

Cullen, Brownhill, JBG, Berge, Ramsey and the invisible Cork

Amdouni started at striker, not in a midfield 3 like previously.

[Anthonini]

Maybe they should start playing the league on paper and whoever has spent the most money wins the fixture?

But you could adjust your expectations based on logical reasoning.

[BurnleyFC]

Amdouni started at striker, not in a midfield 3 like previously.

And he was shite in that position as well.

He’s probably been my biggest disappointment in a season full of disappointments so far.

[Indecisive]

I feel right now we need to fly in the face of the typical supporter approach (which is pretty much across football entirely) , and really act cohesively and get behind the team, not be really negative and overreact.

Maybe I'm being idealistic and sentimental but I feel our current management approach will appreciate that, and benefit from it more than ever .

Kompany has put together a new team for the second time in little over a year. They are young and relatively inexperienced at this level. Adding pressure from the sidelines is further going to be to the clubs detriment in my opinion.

If nothing else, a bit of positivity and glass half full mentality would make me feel a bit better now

This thread and this place in general now does literally nothing for my mood. Don't know if anyone else feels the same .

UTC now and at all times.

[Rileybobs]

I feel right now we need to fly in the face of the typical supporter approach (which is pretty much across football entirely) , and really act cohesively and get behind the team, not be really negative and overreact.

Maybe I'm being idealistic and sentimental but I feel our current management approach will appreciate that, and benefit from it more than ever .

Kompany has put together a new team for the second time in little over a year. They are young and relatively inexperienced at this level. Adding pressure from the sidelines is further going to be to the clubs detriment in my opinion.

If nothing else, a bit of positivity and glass half full mentality would make me feel a bit better now

This thread and this place in general now does literally nothing for my mood. Don't know if anyone else feels the same .

UTC now and at all times.

We need a bouncing Turf Moor on Saturday, hopefully get one. But the players need to respond with the same effort and application on the pitch.

[CoolClaret]

I feel right now we need to fly in the face of the typical supporter approach (which is pretty much across football entirely) , and really act cohesively and get behind the team, not be really negative and overreact.

Maybe I'm being idealistic and sentimental but I feel our current management approach will appreciate that, and benefit from it more than ever .

Kompany has put together a new team for the second time in little over a year. They are young and relatively inexperienced at this level. Adding pressure from the sidelines is further going to be to the clubs detriment in my opinion.

If nothing else, a bit of positivity and glass half full mentality would make me feel a bit better now

This thread and this place in general now does literally nothing for my mood. Don't know if anyone else feels the same .

UTC now and at all times.

I agree - but we need effort, physicality and running from the lads as well. They can't give up or feel sorry for themselves if/when we concede a goal.

[Nori1958]

I feel right now we need to fly in the face of the typical supporter approach (which is pretty much across football entirely) , and really act cohesively and get behind the team, not be really negative and overreact.

Maybe I'm being idealistic and sentimental but I feel our current management approach will appreciate that, and benefit from it more than ever .

Kompany has put together a new team for the second time in little over a year. They are young and relatively inexperienced at this level. Adding pressure from the sidelines is further going to be to the clubs detriment in my opinion.

If nothing else, a bit of positivity and glass half full mentality would make me feel a bit better now

This thread and this place in general now does literally nothing for my mood. Don't know if anyone else feels the same .

UTC now and at all times.

This place is grim at the moment

Fortunately it doesn't tend to transfer to the match going fans

[Indecisive]

We need a bouncing Turf Moor on Saturday, hopefully get one. But the players need to respond with the same effort and application on the pitch.

Yeah, but I don't know if it's just me but I'd leave the turf feeling much better if the atmosphere was great and supporters positive win, lose or draw. Glass half full, I don't see a lack of effort, more I see a current team not quite cohesively and gelling. The championship was clearly a much more forgiving place for developing. But I'm determined to take the rough with the smooth. Even if it ends badly, what harm can a positive attitude amongst the fan base do?

I'd like us to be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to football fans.

[AGENT_CLARET]

This place is grim at the moment

Fortunately it doesn't tend to transfer to the match going fans

You must sit in the park view during the game then

[Dark Cloud]

Kompany to stay. I'm as naffed off as anybody about the way it's going right now, but VK did brilliantly last season and I'm happy to give him time to learn from the current shambles, even If that means a relegation. (Which atm looks inevitable) He's being hampered by a ridiculous number of injuries unfortunately which isn't helping, but he's not helped himself by not addressing the need for real quality and experience at CB (Johnny Evans anyone??) and by constantly tinkering with the team in other areas. He's bought a lot of players and it seems he's only then thought about how and where he's going to deploy them and still isn't sure. Having said that, Beyer and Ekdal are our best CB partnership and yet I'm not convinced even they will prove good enough at this level. Are we ever going to have them both fit enough to find out??

[Nori1958]

You must sit in the park view during the game then

Certainly not, but I haven't heard any adverse chants etc towards the management or players, iam sure that if there had been it would have been discussed on here and elsewhere, which it hasn't been...unless you know different, which I doubt.

[AGENT_CLARET]

Certainly not, but I haven't heard any adverse chants etc towards the management or players, iam sure that if there had been it would have been discussed on here and elsewhere, which it hasn't been...unless you know different, which I doubt.

Who mentioned chants ???? And don't doubt me because there was plenty of moaning at the team and management especially at Brentford last week and again Bournemouth and not for the first time

[ClaretPete001]

The team when we played them in January was similar but it's very hard to argue that yesterday's team was better but not obviously worse either. The biggest difference is Vincent Kompany's performance.

In the absence of Foster you have to play Jay Rod up front (at least for an hour) especially with two wingers. Kolosheo is no Benson but he delivers a ball into the box. Zaroury was the same but Amdouni cannot play the Barnes role.

So, your first big problem is right there - the wingers are not as good and there is no front man to play the Barnes role.

Cullen, Brownhill and JGB were in midfield last season but yesterday they just couldn't get hold of the game at all. Of course, Benson and Roberts do not give the ball away like Kolosheo and Vitinho. And there is your second problem - if you have a midfield two and a high pressing 3 you have to retain possession because the minute you give it away the back four is completely exposed.

And finally, we had Harwood-Bellis, Beyer Roberts and Taylor in defence. I think it is unarguable that we had a much better back four in January than yesterday.

And that is your third problem - the defence is makeshift and lacking real quality players partially because Beyer is injured and Roberts got himself sent off.

That team, formation and tactics was never going to win that match because a high pressing wide playing 3 with no target man who give the ball away too often is not going to win any games in the PL. You may get away with it in the Championship (and we did often) but not in the PL.