Is it a consequence of valuing physical over technical traits in the middle combined with not committing players forward?
I guess they're actually trying to win free kicks out wide, and sometimes you don't get fouled.
I guess they're actually trying to win free kicks out wide, and sometimes you don't get fouled.
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Is it a consequence of valuing physical over technical traits in the middle combined with not committing players forward?
I guess they're actually trying to win free kicks out wide, and sometimes you don't get fouled.
I guess they're actually trying to win free kicks out wide, and sometimes you don't get fouled.
Or at least a defensible approach.
December 4, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Or at least a defensible approach.
... It didn't even look effective against Chelsea, Arsenal Bournemouth.
It's failing worst of all in the games where it should be a good approach.
It's failing worst of all in the games where it should be a good approach.
December 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
... It didn't even look effective against Chelsea, Arsenal Bournemouth.
It's failing worst of all in the games where it should be a good approach.
It's failing worst of all in the games where it should be a good approach.
That's interesting but we're usually looking at xG not shots, so 'better quality' would be reflected.
The eye test would say we're generally creating nothing at all and chucking crosses into packed boxes when we do 'create'.
So id say it's not working no matter the intent.
The eye test would say we're generally creating nothing at all and chucking crosses into packed boxes when we do 'create'.
So id say it's not working no matter the intent.
December 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
That's interesting but we're usually looking at xG not shots, so 'better quality' would be reflected.
The eye test would say we're generally creating nothing at all and chucking crosses into packed boxes when we do 'create'.
So id say it's not working no matter the intent.
The eye test would say we're generally creating nothing at all and chucking crosses into packed boxes when we do 'create'.
So id say it's not working no matter the intent.
RKM, Kudus, Xavi do not lack quality or experience imo.
Midfield is only lacking because we chose to make it so. Palhinha is good and experienced at what he does... It's just not what we need
Midfield is only lacking because we chose to make it so. Palhinha is good and experienced at what he does... It's just not what we need
December 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
RKM, Kudus, Xavi do not lack quality or experience imo.
Midfield is only lacking because we chose to make it so. Palhinha is good and experienced at what he does... It's just not what we need
Midfield is only lacking because we chose to make it so. Palhinha is good and experienced at what he does... It's just not what we need
4th.
5th-6th acceptable if in the running for 4th but just feel short.
If we were to get to a final in any cup i would adjust down.
5th-6th acceptable if in the running for 4th but just feel short.
If we were to get to a final in any cup i would adjust down.
December 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
4th.
5th-6th acceptable if in the running for 4th but just feel short.
If we were to get to a final in any cup i would adjust down.
5th-6th acceptable if in the running for 4th but just feel short.
If we were to get to a final in any cup i would adjust down.
Is some of that game state related though? If you are behind a lot then usually your xG usually gets a boost as you often attack more until you score. Obviously WE don't really do that effectively but other sides do...
Wait, which side of the debate was my point backing up again...
Wait, which side of the debate was my point backing up again...
December 4, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Is some of that game state related though? If you are behind a lot then usually your xG usually gets a boost as you often attack more until you score. Obviously WE don't really do that effectively but other sides do...
Wait, which side of the debate was my point backing up again...
Wait, which side of the debate was my point backing up again...
Lots of games where we were crying out for another technical player in that three though.
Ultimately though it simply isn't what Frank wants from those positions, or we wouldn't have signed Palhinha, extended Bentancur and then played them both ad nauseum.
Ultimately though it simply isn't what Frank wants from those positions, or we wouldn't have signed Palhinha, extended Bentancur and then played them both ad nauseum.
December 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Lots of games where we were crying out for another technical player in that three though.
Ultimately though it simply isn't what Frank wants from those positions, or we wouldn't have signed Palhinha, extended Bentancur and then played them both ad nauseum.
Ultimately though it simply isn't what Frank wants from those positions, or we wouldn't have signed Palhinha, extended Bentancur and then played them both ad nauseum.
Diamonde hearts club? (spurs specifically)
December 3, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Diamonde hearts club? (spurs specifically)
Bissouma was absolutely key at 6 in Ange's system. But he turned and carried rather than passed. We got much worse when we had Bentancur there because he can't turn with the ball.
Underlapping full backs bombing forwards and Maddison floating gave options and broke pressure.
Underlapping full backs bombing forwards and Maddison floating gave options and broke pressure.
December 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Bissouma was absolutely key at 6 in Ange's system. But he turned and carried rather than passed. We got much worse when we had Bentancur there because he can't turn with the ball.
Underlapping full backs bombing forwards and Maddison floating gave options and broke pressure.
Underlapping full backs bombing forwards and Maddison floating gave options and broke pressure.
Super, super Yan, super super Yan super Yan Diamonde
December 3, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Super, super Yan, super super Yan super Yan Diamonde
I predicted us to finish 8th (not complimentary) and that was seen as pessimism. Looks like a dream now.
This might be low ceiling football but the trade off is supposed to be a high floor... I don't understand how we're so so poor, even if i don't like the approach.
This might be low ceiling football but the trade off is supposed to be a high floor... I don't understand how we're so so poor, even if i don't like the approach.
December 3, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I predicted us to finish 8th (not complimentary) and that was seen as pessimism. Looks like a dream now.
This might be low ceiling football but the trade off is supposed to be a high floor... I don't understand how we're so so poor, even if i don't like the approach.
This might be low ceiling football but the trade off is supposed to be a high floor... I don't understand how we're so so poor, even if i don't like the approach.
...Or go full LangeOut.
December 3, 2025 at 3:08 PM
...Or go full LangeOut.
Frank will continue trying to make this style work. If we sack Frank then Lange/Paratici will continue trying to make something similar work.
Whereas a significant proportion of fans think this is fundamentally the wrong route to go.
So maybe we should start asking: how do we make 'this' work.
Whereas a significant proportion of fans think this is fundamentally the wrong route to go.
So maybe we should start asking: how do we make 'this' work.
December 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Frank will continue trying to make this style work. If we sack Frank then Lange/Paratici will continue trying to make something similar work.
Whereas a significant proportion of fans think this is fundamentally the wrong route to go.
So maybe we should start asking: how do we make 'this' work.
Whereas a significant proportion of fans think this is fundamentally the wrong route to go.
So maybe we should start asking: how do we make 'this' work.
Because that is what they wanted.
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Because that is what they wanted.
I hadn't considered that. It would be a disaster.
Hopefully his age puts them off.
Hopefully his age puts them off.
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I hadn't considered that. It would be a disaster.
Hopefully his age puts them off.
Hopefully his age puts them off.
Ah i disagree. I think our attackers are really good. Kudus and RKM are significant upgrades.
Every team in mid table would kill for players of this quality.
Is our attack in the top 4 teams in the league player for player? Probably not quite, but we look like relegation candidates at the moment
Every team in mid table would kill for players of this quality.
Is our attack in the top 4 teams in the league player for player? Probably not quite, but we look like relegation candidates at the moment
December 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Ah i disagree. I think our attackers are really good. Kudus and RKM are significant upgrades.
Every team in mid table would kill for players of this quality.
Is our attack in the top 4 teams in the league player for player? Probably not quite, but we look like relegation candidates at the moment
Every team in mid table would kill for players of this quality.
Is our attack in the top 4 teams in the league player for player? Probably not quite, but we look like relegation candidates at the moment
Yep i think we're agreeing :)
December 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Yep i think we're agreeing :)
Not because Palhinha is bad but because we already had a technical deficit in our midfield and he is *even weaker* than the players we already had.
It shows that this is what Lange/Paratici/Frank want. Obviously they want it to work better than this but is it ever better than mid table?
It shows that this is what Lange/Paratici/Frank want. Obviously they want it to work better than this but is it ever better than mid table?
December 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Not because Palhinha is bad but because we already had a technical deficit in our midfield and he is *even weaker* than the players we already had.
It shows that this is what Lange/Paratici/Frank want. Obviously they want it to work better than this but is it ever better than mid table?
It shows that this is what Lange/Paratici/Frank want. Obviously they want it to work better than this but is it ever better than mid table?
Right, because our build up is utter, utter garbage. We don't get the ball in dangerous areas, we pump it up the wing and hope.
That's not an attacking player quality issue IMO. That's tactical choice, and a recruitment and selection choice: i knew we were doomed when we brought in Palhinha.
That's not an attacking player quality issue IMO. That's tactical choice, and a recruitment and selection choice: i knew we were doomed when we brought in Palhinha.
December 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Right, because our build up is utter, utter garbage. We don't get the ball in dangerous areas, we pump it up the wing and hope.
That's not an attacking player quality issue IMO. That's tactical choice, and a recruitment and selection choice: i knew we were doomed when we brought in Palhinha.
That's not an attacking player quality issue IMO. That's tactical choice, and a recruitment and selection choice: i knew we were doomed when we brought in Palhinha.
Probably right, but we've upgraded him to Kudus. Is he good enough to be second/third choice RW?
And as you say, it barely matters when they don't get the ball.
Im not looking at this team thinking the missing piece is a different/better back up winger. I'm just baffled.
And as you say, it barely matters when they don't get the ball.
Im not looking at this team thinking the missing piece is a different/better back up winger. I'm just baffled.
December 3, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Probably right, but we've upgraded him to Kudus. Is he good enough to be second/third choice RW?
And as you say, it barely matters when they don't get the ball.
Im not looking at this team thinking the missing piece is a different/better back up winger. I'm just baffled.
And as you say, it barely matters when they don't get the ball.
Im not looking at this team thinking the missing piece is a different/better back up winger. I'm just baffled.