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**Doc_Piptorious** · 07-04-25, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by Mr Pink View Post

I think the biggest weakness in the team the last few weeks is Jota. He’s not as clinical as he once was, but his major weakness is that he brings no intensity to the team. He’s one of those strikers, where if he doesn’t score, he doesn’t do much else in the game either.

I think especially the issue is that Slot shouldn’t be starting both him and Salah. When they’re both starting, that’s 2/3 attackers who are bringing next to no intensity. I reckon if Nunez was starting, Salah might have gotten an extra 2/3 goal la over the last few games.

I think Jota would be a useful sub to have, and I think if he was playing the last 20/25 min of game, rather than playing the first 70 or so, he would be able to contribute a lot more..

The other two that start with Salah need to be mobile and need to be capable of stretching play.

What Jota brings to the team these days is basically what Salah would be like if he was not a total goal/assist machine.

If Jota is starting then Salah needs to be on the bench and vice versa. But personally there is no way would I start Jota over Salah.

Agree with your Nunez point as well. He gets stick but he has the sort of work rate and mobility that can drag defenders about and create room for others.

Am starting to wonder what Salah in the centre flanked by Gakpo and Chiesa would play like.

**vlahka** · 07-04-25, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by Myo View Post

well, a couple of games before, during the international break, a few of us were already seeing some of the lack desire in certain parts of the field or complacency against perceived 'weaker' opposition and commented as such and some of us were told off...not a 'i told you' moment as such, but surely most of you can see now that some of us have previously noticed the major first team lads are 'at half level of mental and concentration' levels (especially after being bundled out of the cups and champs league) and rightly should get some bollocking if they aren't at 100 percent determination level... really need to get guys like elliot and endo on the pitch at the start and show up on some of these starters, but what's worrying is now we are leaking (ok maybe i am exaggerating, not so much leaking but perceived to be allowing teams more shots on target or chances in the goal mouth area) in goals at the back line as well...

Its absolutely obvious that their heads havent been where it needs to be in the last few games or so. I've also noticed the way opposition teams play against us. With other games I see huge open sections in defenses, players moving differently, even managers acting slightly different. But when they play against us they're extremely rigid in defense, proper 2 lines worth of most of their players blocking everything and man marking almost, huge desire and push that I dont see in other games. Theres no way I'm imagining it. They also seem to foul us like crazy as if knowing the ref will allow it.

**The_weatherman** · 07-04-25, 09:25 AM

Given the drop off in form for VVD and Salah, must mean they have signed new deals?

**vlahka** · 07-04-25, 10:01 AM

Or arent signing.

**Kenneth** · 07-04-25, 10:08 AM

I think it's Salah, Jota, Szobo, Robbo that are killing us most at the moment. All very sloppy with the ball,taking easy options and conceding possession. We have the players to drop them all.

**The_weatherman** · 07-04-25, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by vlahka View Post

Or arent signing.

At least we are narrowing it down

**BobTheCharmer** · 07-04-25, 07:41 PM

I saw something earlier than says we are only 3 points better off than this point last season.

We completely shat the bed last season but thankfully we have an 11 point cushion as I reckon there's a few more defeats on the way.

I'm still not convinced that slot is getting anymore from this bunch than klopp did. Luckily City aren't City this time around. Still a great achievement if we get over the line by the way, just in case you think I'm be belittling what he's done. But tweaks in the system or not, it's klopps team. Next season is the acid test to see what he's all about.

**Sus** · 07-04-25, 08:11 PM