STALEMATE
The draw at Fulham left Jaissle and Newcastle at stalemate.
We wanted to see a big reaction from the players.
We wanted to see big signs that 4231 was bedding in.
We needed a win no matter what the performance.
We got none of that.
4231 Has Got To Be Ditched
It isn't working, it isn't showing any signs of improving, and it is absolutely obvious that we don't have the players for the system.
Take the pivotal two in 4231...
The absolute necessity in those positions is pace; with two wingers and a 10 the three they will be getting forward in support of the ST, and when possession is lost the first line of defence is the two.
If the two don't have pace as soon as the oppo get past them we can have five players effectively out of play leaving the oppo overloading our defence.
And who did we sign after Jaissle arrived to play in the two: Nico Gonzalez.
No pace.
Gonzalez is good player, he proved that at Man City.
But, he played in a team that dominated possession in the oppo's half and he effectively took the injured Rodri's position where his defensive responsibilities were secondary.
So who, and why, was a £50M decision taken to bring him here to play in the two?
Baffling Decisions & Incompetence
We all know it doesn't end with Gonzalez...
£20M spent on Jaouen but Pope and his big wages are still here.
£10M for Willock turned down when he can agree a transfer in January and walk for a free in May.
Young inexperienced midfield players signed to replace top internationals and one, Bamba, for £34M hasn't even made his PL debut.
The best midfielder we have, Steur, only got a start because Jo was injured.
Young Toure signed for £43M after Gordon left and he can't get in ahead of the three wingers who were already on the books.
Who thought Pardo could play as a ST in the Prem, the player did, but it is clear he can't, so we now have another square peg trying to fit into a round hole.
And now...
The rumours are we looking to sign a 10 in January.
NO
If that is true it means Jaissle is looking to persist with 4231 and signing a 10 in no way will be the magic wand that get's that formation working.
It would be like sticking one plaster over half a dozen bleeding wounds.
Basic's are now being ignored.
The big issues are staring us in the face.
Nico can't be left in a two, he needs to play in a three or four man midfield with players who have pace - we might then see the player we thought we'd bought.
If we play a three or four man midfield that means ditching 4231, and good riddance to it.
I'm not going to go into who should play where, that is Jaissle's job.
But...
If he doesn't throw 4231 into the bin during the international break...
He might not have that job for long.
Last Post: Fulham v Newcastle: Preview & Prediction
Colin mentions about tightening up and conceding less might see more draws or us nicking a 1 0 like arsenal in the past. Thing is the defence has got worse over the past 5 years , they are not at the same level. We dont have a natural defensive midfielder either that helps it in the mould a tiote in the past etc and up top we certainly dont have an ian wright.
In my opinion seeing as how EH said explicitly that he had spoke to Bruno in America at the World Cup and refused to answer when asked if Bruno was staying EH knew directly from Bruno and he had told the Club but they for whatever reasons, probably price negotiation , refused to accept it publicly and went through the farce of Bruno turning up in Spain for approximately 1 hour. It was performative to try and make certain club officials look big and hard nothing more nothing less
In fact I think that the clubs reaction to the news was a contributory factor to Howe leaving.
Now some people won’t believe that and that’s fine by me, But it’s…
Colin wrote: If Brighton win by three they'll have double the GD of Arsenal who are the only other team to have a GD in double figures (10).
They are not part of the cartel yet could be pushing to finish 1-5th.
Why are they doing so well? They have the same financial restrictions we do.
It can be done.
Watching this team in red and white versus Chelsea, are we sure we can beat them?
They're only 4 points behind us and we're not picking up too many points from our next 2 games so...
Scousers 2 up at Palace
Page wil be the first manager gone.