Trent Alexander-Arnold

[DerKrampus]

Setting up has nothing got to do with 1 vs 1, sure it got so bad that Ibou and Mo had to do the donkey work to cover. Of course Slot knows strengths and weakness and Trent does get a hell of a lot more freedom than most fullbacks.

There are plenty of fullbacks that have similar or better production than Trent this and even last season who are better defenders and don't take set pieces to bump up numbers. He used to be an anomaly, as did Robbo but they are just not stand out anymore with regards to production and performance. We used to be able to forgive Trents defensive errors as he was putting up insane numbers, not so much anymore. Him and Robbo have been brilliant for us and Trent does have a magic wand but imo it's very evident than we need upgrades on both the right and left sides of our defence.

Or maybe Slot is fine with the trade-offs?

[baitman]

Or maybe Slot is fine with the trade-offs?

No chance. You can often see vvd's frustration and anger at trents poor positioning, can't be arsed attitude.
At least in the city game he didn't go missing, but he still didn't close down and block out doku when needed.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Whether TAA is currently playing well, badly or somewhere in the middle, it really does not matter as we have nobody available to come in and replace him.

All our cover options are either out injured (Bradley, Gomez) or needed elsewhere on the pitch (Jones).


Quansah I do not include as cover at RB as I think he should never be played there and looked a fish out of water whenever Slot tried him there.


Tomorrow night will be interesting though. Will Slot try the 4222 and gamble on being able to cut out the wide threats Newcastle have, or will he return to having three attackers and three midfielders in front of the back four.

Newcastle have widemen that like to cut onside rather than go down the touchline and an inform striker that can do a bit of everything but who really thrives on through balls that inverting wingers can provide or help to set up.

Not sure I would want to give Gordon the same licence to roam that we, as a unit, gave Doku.

Gordon, unlike Doku, is good enough that he becomes a goal threat himself when given a bit of extra space. Doku for me is more a provider whereas Gordon can be used as a provider or a proper goal getter in his own right.


Murphy being another that likes to thread clever through balls and that has become a bit of a late bloomer in terms of being a goal threat/provider at PL leevel.

[danperkins]

Or maybe Slot is fine with the trade-offs?

I find that very unlikely

[Buzzo]

I think the second half was 100% a tactical masterclass. The instruction definitely was to make sure Doku could not cut inside and instead force him wide and that was done by getting Mo to play deeper and have Grav and Ibou cover behind Trent. Personally I think it was executed perfectly - could Trent have got some tackles in? Of course but it was ultimately a disciplined tactical play from the entire team not something that happened on the hoof.

[kingfunk]

I think the second half was 100% a tactical masterclass. The instruction definitely was to make sure Doku could not cut inside and instead force him wide and that was done by getting Mo to play deeper and have Grav and Ibou cover behind Trent. Personally I think it was executed perfectly - could Trent have got some tackles in? Of course but it was ultimately a disciplined tactical play from the entire team not something that happened on the hoof.

It was unbelievable, the defensive lines and general formation was rock solid, at one point I thought I was looking at red magnets on a white board. Like you say it was like watching a masterclass. I was left wondering why we couldn’t play like this much more but I guess it’s a mixture of you can only play a given way with your opponent on the day and Slot’s tweaks starting to finally stick now, players seem to be loving it too, long may it last.

[BigChief]

It was unbelievable, the defensive lines and general formation was rock solid, at one point I thought I was looking at red magnets on a white board. Like you say it was like watching a masterclass. I was left wondering why we couldn’t play like this much more but I guess it’s a mixture of you can only play a given way with your opponent on the day and Slot’s tweaks starting to finally stick now, players seem to be loving it too, long may it last.

Magnets is a good image. Just so well organised and why I was continually impressed by Trent. Wasn't dropping deeper than others out of fear of Doku's pace. I really enjoyed it.

[Sus]

Whether TAA is currently playing well, badly or somewhere in the middle, it really does not matter as we have nobody available to come in and replace him.

All our cover options are either out injured (Bradley, Gomez) or needed elsewhere on the pitch (Jones).


Quansah I do not include as cover at RB as I think he should never be played there and looked a fish out of water whenever Slot tried him there.


Tomorrow night will be interesting though. Will Slot try the 4222 and gamble on being able to cut out the wide threats Newcastle have, or will he return to having three attackers and three midfielders in front of the back four.

Newcastle have widemen that like to cut onside rather than go down the touchline and an inform striker that can do a bit of everything but who really thrives on through balls that inverting wingers can provide or help to set up.

Not sure I would want to give Gordon the same licence to roam that we, as a unit, gave Doku.

Gordon, unlike Doku, is good enough that he becomes a goal threat himself when given a bit of extra space. Doku for me is more a provider whereas Gordon can be used as a provider or a proper goal getter in his own right.


Murphy being another that likes to thread clever through balls and that has become a bit of a late bloomer in terms of being a goal threat/provider at PL leevel.

I also think Isak will give them a focal point City were missing on Sunday, so it's likely our CBs will not have as much opportunity to be spare men as on Sunday

[danperkins]

The Newcastle front line will give us a lot more trouble than City did that's for sure. Their work rate from midfield on up is very impressive too, so we have to match that.

[Buzzo]

They do seem to leak goals though, which is encouraging. 2 nil up by half time again lads please. That made for a very relaxing second half.

[BG1973]

Luckily on a couple of occasions Salah dropped into the RB position and covered him, made a couple of nice blocks for Doku’s crosses. Great teamwork but really highlighted Trent’s weakness.

It's a bit chicken and egg for trent.

If teams focus attacks on one side then that side is eventually going to succumb. Esp when you throw in fancy feet but **** all else Doku.

[Harv]

Shows they still have a small time mentality if they are celebrating that as a Big score for them, we kept a clean sheet won comfortably 2 - 0 but they got the ‘most dribbles past’ award.

Doku with no goals and no assists no big chances created yesterday.

Its ****ing hilarious innit

Yeah well done lads, you have the new Aaron Lennon

[DerKrampus]

Danny Cademarteri award!

[peterbread]

Had to face all four of their attackers at different stages of the game but was very solid tonight. Deserves plenty of credit for his concentration and application.

[DerKrampus]

I thought he was excellent, didn't let us down at all.