Our style of play

[RichC]

The last two games will have helped massively with confidence which was one of our main issues

[SB]

We have started to struggle against teams that (a) pack their defence and (b) those defenders do an average job. Spurs did not do (b). We will find out in due course whether we have solved (a).

So to solve (a) we can look to players who can unlock defences with amazing passes aka Thiago or midfielders who can shoot from outside the box accurately aka Ox or another option could be to have a big robust centre forward to bring on to get on the end of crosses from two of the best crossers in the league ? Mane is probably the best header of the ball that we have but his lack of height hinders that plan being very successful id say .

[BobTheCharmer]

So to solve (a) we can look to players who can unlock defences with amazing passes aka Thiago or midfielders who can shoot from outside the box accurately aka Ox or another option could be to have a big robust centre forward to bring on to get on the end of crosses from two of the best crossers in the league ? Mane is probably the best header of the ball that we have but his lack of height hinders that plan being very successful id say .

Haaland on the end of some our crosses would be ace.

[SB]

Haaland on the end of some our crosses would be ace.

All day long.

[Mark79]

Haaland scores about 1 header a season.

He uses his height to win 2nd balls and flick ons, but for finishing he’s far more deadly with his feet.

[BobTheCharmer]

Haaland scores about 1 header a season.

He uses his height to win 2nd balls and flick ons, but for finishing he’s far more deadly with his feet.

You saying he wouldn't put the chances away? Dortmund don't put anywhere near as many crosses in as we do. I agree he's better with his feet. He's a striker. He scores goals. Lots of them.

[Norbs]

Haaland scores about 1 header a season.

He uses his height to win 2nd balls and flick ons, but for finishing he’s far more deadly with his feet.

A fair amount of our crosses are at ground level so he should be fine

[Mark79]

You saying he wouldn't put the chances away? Dortmund don't put anywhere near as many crosses in as we do. I agree he's better with his feet. He's a striker. He scores goals. Lots of them.

I don’t know, it’s just not something that’s associated with him.

[Fredo]

Our style of play

We’ve changed our style slightly of late and it’s working. Gini and Thiago are making it work.

[baitman]

We’ve changed our style slightly of late and it’s working. Gini and Thiago are making it work.

Less of a high defensive line

[danperkins]

Thiago is playing higher up, Gini is playing that 6 role to a tee the last few games and we are mixing are passing up more which has been huge.

[RichC]

Less of a high defensive line

The defensive high line hasn’t changed

[Buzzo]

The knock on effects of all of the injuries are that the machine is missing too many pieces, there is then an over reliance on certain players in other areas and the entire thing is mis firing. We are well drilled typically, but not with so many key players missing. Imagine Fabinho back in Midfield. Hendo sets the tempo and is doing a great job at the back but to such a cost for the midfield.

The solutions right now are not obvious as we keep losing more and more players to inujury. Since we beat Spurs just 6 days ago we have lost Matip, Mane and Alisson. Its just not sustainable changing line up so often.

Look at our strongest team in their best postions and look at tonight. Imagine the bench if these guys were all fit.

--------------------------------------Alisson----------------------------------------------

Trent----------------Gomez-------------------------Van Dijk---------------------Robbo

------------------------------------Fabinho-----------------------------------------------

-------------Hendo-------------------------------------------Thiago---------------------

Salah/Jota----------------------Salah/Firmino/Jota-------------------------------Mane

We wont see this until maybe August.

The coaches have a lot of work to do.

[Exiled_red]

Hopefully we can get Fabinho back soon. Him and Phillips/Kabak/Davies as a CB partnership. Do that and we can move Henderson back into midfield and I think things improve significantly... I hope

[Buzzo]

Fabinho and Kabak at the back, has to be as soon as possible.

I mentioned that seeing Kelleher (who was great) Phillips and Hendo at the back is like an anxiety dream. But it would just not have seemed possible that this could be where we are in February when we set off on this season.

But here we are.