2020/21 Carlo Ancelotti

[davids]

OK, but we did the same thing V Sheffield United and didn't bottle that game? So by your reckoning we have began to stop bottling games, haven't we?

Did you look at the side Sheffield United fielded? And yes I know we have injuries too. But let's face it every decent cup run, every run of good results in the league unveriably ends in a nonperformance. If their keeper had played a blinder and we'd made chance àfter chance I'd still be gutted at any defeat but the continual "not turning up" is hard to swallow.

 

[GwladysBlue]

He's doing great to be in Champions League contention with this group of players, but while I understand the reasoning behind making the team hard to beat and riding our luck somewhat, I think it's a mistake to be chopping and changing at the back.

Think that was enforced, tbf. Keane definitely got a knock against Sheff Utd.

Should be straight back to: Holgate, Keane, Mina and Godfrey against Wolves, though.

 

[AussieToffee11]

It is indisputable that Carlo has had a very positive effect on us. No chance we get James or Allan without him.

My issue is that we failed to show up, again. That's like 4 times this season already. The team looks just so completely disjointed and static. It really annoys me seeing them pass to a player then just stand there instead of moving and creating space. That's something that should be taken care of in training but it doesn't look like they are improving it at all.

As others said we're going to lose matches, everyone does. If we're going to lose I'd much rather see an effort and "well that didn't come off but good effort!" than whatever it was we were served up, again, yesterday.

It happens - the shower drew with West Brom and Newcastle in the last two games.

The hyper reactive nature of this forum is outrageous.

 

[tom_b1807]

It's simple, the four centre backs and defensive set up worked against teams like Leicester and Chelsea who came at us and we won by virtue of conceding no goals. It's no coincidence then that we've struggled against teams like Burnley, Sheff and West Ham who have essentially done the same thing to us and it's obvious that without Digne and James we have absolutely no attacking threat whatsoever. A couple more attacking options is a must in this window for me

 

[Carlito]

Think that was enforced, tbf. Keane definitely got a knock against Sheff Utd.

Should be straight back to: Holgate, Keane, Mina and Godfrey against Wolves, though.

Ah, fair enough. I thought it was just rotation, with Keane being on the bench last night.

I know it's hardly a recipe for champagne football, but four grocks at the back seems to be the best option until Allan and Digne are back.

 

[BlueStevie35]

Think that was enforced, tbf. Keane definitely got a knock against Sheff Utd.

Should be straight back to: Holgate, Keane, Mina and Godfrey against Wolves, though.

Yes that’s how I’d go, unless Digne is fit to return at Molineux

 

[TheSecondComing]

I think we seen that unfortunately trying to spawn games by awaiting other teams to make mistakes isn’t going to work long term.

We need to start creating more chances ASAP.

 

[GwladysBlue]

Yes that’s how I’d go, unless Digne is fit to return at Molineux

I just hope he isn’t loyal to Coleman. The lad has had his day now.

 

[AussieToffee11]

It's simple, the four centre backs and defensive set up worked against teams like Leicester and Chelsea who came at us and we won by virtue of conceding no goals. It's no coincidence then that we've struggled against teams like Burnley, Sheff and West Ham who have essentially done the same thing to us and it's obvious that without Digne and James we have absolutely no attacking threat whatsoever. A couple more attacking options is a must in this window for me

Completely agree.
Dying out for another pacey player and an Isco creative type.
We can’t break teams down.

 

[BlueStevie35]

I think we seen that unfortunately trying to spawn games by awaiting other teams to make mistakes isn’t going to work long term.

We need to start creating more chances ASAP.

Hopefully now James is back and Lucas imminent the creativity will start flowing back

 

[TheSecondComing]

Hopefully now James is back and Lucas imminent the creativity will start flowing back

We need to add more creativity ASAP and I mean by adding players who can create because reliance on two players isn’t ideal

 

[GwladysBlue]

I think we seen that unfortunately trying to spawn games by awaiting other teams to make mistakes isn’t going to work long term.

We need to start creating more chances ASAP.

Get James in for Sigurdsson and hopefully Allan isn’t too far away. He was spraying passes all over the place before that injury.

 

[catcherintherye]

Did you look at the side Sheffield United fielded? And yes I know we have injuries too. But let's face it every decent cup run, every run of good results in the league unveriably ends in a nonperformance. If their keeper had played a blinder and we'd made chance àfter chance I'd still be gutted at any defeat but the continual "not turning up" is hard to swallow.

Re Sheffield United, were they missing a Digne, Allan, James etc. I don't think so. We were the ones missing the key players.

As for the run, of course every run will eventually see a defeat. That happens. You're not going to win forever.

 

[Number_25]

If you told me that we'd be in the top 4 at Christmas with injuries to four/five of our best players, I'd have told you that you're a loon.

He has done a fantastic job thus far, I'm not sure that we're in a financial situation to invest this January - but I feel like we have enough to have a real go at top 4.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Re Sheffield United, were they missing a Digne, Allan, James etc. I don't think so. We were the ones missing the key players.

As for the run, of course every run will eventually see a defeat. That happens. You're not going to win forever.

I think there’s an issue with the expectation around fixtures as well. If fans were in place it’s less likely we win the away games we’ve won but more likely that we would have seen off West Ham and Leeds at home. There’s no way some of those periods of 10-20 minutes of lack of efforts and missing 50 50s would have been tolerated by the home fans. It’s no surprise to me we won both league games in front of the fans. We may yet benefit away at Wolves which in normal times would have been a very difficult away but without fans the complexion changes. We seem quite happy to accept the improved away form but yet still look at West Ham at home and expect a guaranteed win. Sheffield United deserved a draw at Anfield earlier this season and they are by far the worst team in this league. That doesn’t happen if there’s a crowd there and they’re one of the best sides in the world, of course we’ll be affected. If we weren’t we’d be streaking away at the top of the league.