Arne Slot

[Exiled_red]

I think that we were hoping in the summer that we would see less of him picking his favourites, and rotating things a bit more, still feels like we are very much to see that, the players who haven't been playing well (Salah, Isak, MacAllister amongst others) are still getting picked and playing most of the 90 mins, our squad is stronger than it has been for quite some time Ekitike, Jones and Chiesa amongst others have put in good performances in similar positions to those under performing and while Chiesa might be a fitness issue the others should be starting more and he can certainly play more than his customary 10 mins or so. Not really understanding the lack of squad use when players are playing poorly regularly when there are other good options available...

[Tatterdemalion]

Slot needs to get back to basics. The team has lost its edge, and it starts with standards. Every player has to know that work rate and accountability are non-negotiable. If someone isn’t pressing, tracking back, or showing for the ball, they sit out. It’s that simple. The message has to be clear and consistent from the top.
Tactically, he needs to simplify things. The team is trying too hard to play the perfect pass every time, and it’s killing the rhythm. He should focus on structured build-up, moving the ball through the thirds with proper support and movement. Get the midfielders rotating, create passing angles, and use width to open teams up. Stop chasing the killer ball and start building the play properly. The chances will come when the structure’s right.
Out of possession, we need to get our bite back. The gaps between midfield and defence are too big, and teams are playing through them too easily. They have to close the lines, press together, and make it horrible for opponents to get out. That’s how Klopp’s teams lived — intensity and togetherness.
And Slot needs to show a bit more authority. Klopp had the smile and the charm, but players knew not to take liberties. Slot seems a bit too calm at times. He needs to show that edge — not by shouting, but by setting standards and sticking to them. Drop players if they’re not putting it in, reward the ones who are. That kind of accountability wakes a squad up.
If he sorts the basics and gets that intensity back, his tactical ideas will shine. But if he keeps trying to play open, attractive football without the work rate and structure behind it, the whole thing will keep falling apart.

Yeh, I can't understand what has happened with the pressing as even players in horrible form can still do this.

[Kenneth]

Having our best presser at right back can't have help.

[Charly]

Yeh, I can't understand what has happened with the pressing as even players in horrible form can still do this.

This must be tactical as all tbr midfield seem to charge up the pitch and leave huge gaps.

Cant understand it.

Why change a wimning formula

[Norbs]

This must be tactical as all tbr midfield seem to charge up the pitch and leave huge gaps.

Cant understand it.

Why change a wimning formula

Could be ine of three things

1) The Trent factor
2) The Klopp factor
3) He's trying to be clever like Amorim

[peterbread]

Did something different and made the right calls tonight. Hopefully he sticks with it and the same or similar team for the weekend. The balance was much better and everyone looked to be playing to their strengths.

The only real change would be if Gravenberch is fit but both Jones and Dom deserve to play again.

[danperkins]

Anyone worried Arne is going to revert to type vs Brentford ?

[BobTheCharmer]

Did something different and made the right calls tonight. Hopefully he sticks with it and the same or similar team for the weekend. The balance was much better and everyone looked to be playing to their strengths.

The only real change would be if Gravenberch is fit but both Jones and Dom deserve to play again.

I think salah is nailed on to start. Tonight he could be rested whereas if he doesn't start at Brentford it will be seen as being dropped. It'll create too many headlines, especially if we lose.

[peterbread]

I think he’ll back the team that’s played tonight for the most part plus the system and leave Salah out. He needs to be ruthless here and use the form players. He could easily have put Mo on at half time and moved Wirtz to the middle but went with Chiesa instead. I take that as a good sign.

[kingfunk]

Anyone worried Arne is going to revert to type vs Brentford ?

With Frimpong and Isak injured now, Salah will start.

[peterbread]

If he does start Mo I hope it’s upfront instead of out wide. See how he goes there with Wirtz and Ekitike around him. But it real should be Chiesa playing with Isak injured.

[Buzzo]

Slot has some decisions to make on Saturday.

If Grav is fit does he come back in? Dom and Curtis did really well.

Salah probably starts now with Isak being injured as Chiesa never plays right side. Will be much to the chagrin of the haters/poor form revellers!

Personally I’d try Gakpo/Ekitike/Chiesa but the obvious choice for right forward is obviously Salah.

[peterbread]

I hope he keeps the same setup as tonight.

Others might not agree but for me it was 442 defending with Wirtz on the right and 3241 or similar with the ball.

With the ball it looked like Bradley and Gakpo provided the width, Wirtz and Ekitike played off Isak and Robertson tucked in to make it a 3 and Jones and Dom as the two 6’s like Slot mentioned before the game.

Although in the second half Roberson got more opportunities to get forward and showed the experience of when to stay and when to go.

Keep that same system and have Chiesa or Mo take Isak’s spot. You could also have Gravenberch come back in and play with Jones and play Ekitike upfront with Dom playing off him with Wirtz.

[BG1973]

Slot has some decisions to make on Saturday.

If Grav is fit does he come back in? Dom and Curtis did really well.

Salah probably starts now with Isak being injured as Chiesa never plays right side. Will be much to the chagrin of the haters/poor form revellers!

Personally I’d try Gakpo/Ekitike/Chiesa but the obvious choice for right forward is obviously Salah.

Chiesa can play right. He might not be such a goal threat out there but he will build play, and he will track back. Both upgrades on Mo's current play.

[danperkins]

Listening to Slots post match presser, he says "We got some energy out of the moments we could press them, the last 4 or 5 games we played we were not able to press the opponent because the ball wasn't on the ground, was in the air". Em, I would hazard a guess Brentford or any other team won't be playing the ball on the ground now

The win was great but I'm far from convinced we've turned a corner. Prem teams will play exactly like every other sides has played against us in the league, Brentford will be no different & it's up to Slot to figure out how to deal with that... time will tell.