Arne Slot

[BootRoom]

Recruiting a "Wirtz Whisperer"......sounds like a desperation move.

"If he can't get a tune out of all that talent in the squad, what can he do?"

[vlahka]

I'd keep Slot till the end of the season unless Alonso became available, in that case I'd instantly replace.

[Buzzo]

[ame]https://twitter.com/lfctransferroom/status/1998519062968819791[/ame]

[SB]

I'd keep Slot till the end of the season unless Alonso became available, in that case I'd instantly replace.

Not sure about Alonso tbh. He did well for Leverkusen without much expectations but not when defending the title & is struggling at Real so the jury is still out for me.

[Harv]

Not sure about Alonso tbh. He did well for Leverkusen without much expectations but not when defending the title & is struggling at Real so the jury is still out for me.

Until a couple of weeks ago they were top of the league. Its just certain players that have thrown tantrums that he's asking too much from them (ie they have to run) or they don't like their role that have become the problem and its seen performances drop.

[SB]

Until a couple of weeks ago they were top of the league. Its just certain players that have thrown tantrums that he's asking too much from them (ie they have to run) or they don't like their role that have become the problem and its seen performances drop.

We were top of the table not that long ago too But I stand by the jury is still out for me. At big clubs you need to deal with big squads, big egos & big expectations hey, so let’s see how he goes.

[Sus]

We were top of the table not that long ago too But I stand by the jury is still out for me. At big clubs you need to deal with big squads, big egos & big expectations hey, so let’s see how he goes.

That’s fair. And your earlier point about less pressure at Leverkusen is a good one too

Best outcome here, by far, is our manager gets us out of this rut

[SB]

That’s fair. And your earlier point about less pressure at Leverkusen is a good one too

Best outcome here, by far, is our manager gets us out of this rut

100% Slot seemed very proactive last season if something wasn’t working, like a small tweak & we get the win so I don’t know what’s changed other than Jonny Heitinga leaving.

[Charly]

Can anyone explain Slot's preferred style of play for us?

[Scratch]

I wonder if he is trying to transition to 1 up top, but hasn't got the players for it yet (ie wingers that are just as happy to hug the by-line as they are to cut inside) so he is having to make do with what he has for now, which means that Isak isn't getting the supply he needs, so is less effective. Maybe the grand aim is a 4-2-3-1 style, with Wirtz as the centre of the 3?

[Sus]

I wonder if he is trying to transition to 1 up top, but hasn't got the players for it yet (ie wingers that are just as happy to hug the by-line as they are to cut inside) so he is having to make do with what he has for now, which means that Isak isn't getting the supply he needs, so is less effective. Maybe the grand aim is a 4-2-3-1 style, with Wirtz as the centre of the 3?

I think it's 4-2-3-1 as well, which would explain 1) why we bought both Ekitike and Isak, 2) why we bought Kerkez and (possibly) Frimpong, and 3) the rumours suggest we are in for Semenyo

I do worry about this format being too open in midfield without another midfielder with Szob's running power and physicality, though

[Charly]

The midfield looks a complete disaster every time we play that way, and our midfield was the best in the league last year. I just dont see it working (or anything else) without a proper DM in there.

[rudedog]

The midfield looks a complete disaster every time we play that way, and our midfield was the best in the league last year. I just dont see it working (or anything else) without a proper DM in there.

The midfield was the best up until about Feb, then they collectively ran out of gas. We needed an extra DM regardless of the formation

[Paul12]

Although I do think Slot ... will be gone sooner or later.

A factually vorrect statement, unless the guy turns lives longer than our club lasts.

[Scratch]

The midfield looks a complete disaster every time we play that way, and our midfield was the best in the league last year. I just dont see it working (or anything else) without a proper DM in there.

It did, cos we gave Grav more license to roam, but without the wide forwards tracking back, we were far too open. Dropping back to a more solid 2 man midfield made us better, and now, with Salah currently out the frame due to AFCON, and Frimpong close to match availability, it will be interesting to see who gets the role...Dom, Frimpong, Wirtz, Ekitike? Or Gakpo, take away his option to cut inside and shoot!