Wolves (H) 8pm Monday 9th December Live on Sky

chicagohammer

The first half played out as it was, a contest between a couple of lower half sides who were nervous not to lose, apart from a decent half chance from Bowen and a neat passage of play between Summerville and Soler, neither side created much.

The goals in the second half opened the game up and overall I think we deserved the win, Wolves really did not create that much although their goal was well taken and I thought they were unlucky not to get a penalty from Emerson’s contact.

We still gave the ball away to cheaply to often but overall I think it was a decent performance given all the circumstances surrounding the game, (especially thinking of Antonio’s injury and the media frenzy over J’Lo)

At the end of the day it was an important three points and I like what I am seeing from the likes of AWB and Soler,

COYI

WHU_Champo_league_in_7_years

To me we clearly lacked a focal point, Antonio's presence was kissed dbot jsut because we lacked a proper #9 but it takes Bowen out of his preferred position on the right where he's far more effective

Thought we were the better team and deserved the 3 points overall even if we got a bit lucky with the decisions

Liked what I saw from Soler, like having his composite and ability to retain possession even under pressure, think he's coming into his own

Think the full backs being so high up the pitch is still a huge defensive risk, thought Emerson especially had a rough time

Hope we can get Fullkrug up to speed but Ings seems prefered to him at the moment

Kuchinghammer

It's been a bit of a West Ham week... media frenzy over manager, horrific car crash off the pitch, almost a car crash on the pitch.... and we pick up 3 points to avoid the relegation zone and breathe down the necks of Tottenham and Man U. So 😬☹😊

Ravel49

An emotional rollercoaster🎢 of emoji’s there Kuching

buffybegood

WHU_Champo_league_in_7_years said:

kissed dbot jsut

Can't argue with logic like that 😂🤣😂

Lukerz

We are way too open but I am not sure how we change it.

1) the defensive line is way too high, especially an issue as they are slow.

2) when playing a high line, there is often no pressure on the opposition anyway by our midfield, making it easy to play through us & exploit the high line.

3) the full backs are constantly too high, especially AWB. What was Emerson doing for the goal last night? AWB leaves acres of space behind him on a regular basis.

Without asking us to 1) drop deeper, 2) keep the full backs back more regularly or get the midfield press right in front of the back four, we will keep getting ripped apart every time a side attacks.

alderz

You say you don’t know how to fix it and then list how to fix it. You can’t play a high line and no put any pressure on the ball without getting torn through. One of those things needs to be different. If, as many seem to suspect, the midfielders are not mobile enough to put pressure on the ball, then we need to play a bit deeper out of possession.

Lukerz

I mean I don’t see Lop changing the high line but the midfield won’t offer the press. They aren’t capable.

EXETERHAMMER

Long ball.

MrsGrey

🥳 🎉

steve

Play Coufal and push AWB in to midfield ....Your welcome

alderz

Lukerz said:

I mean I don’t see Lop changing the high line but the midfield won’t offer the press. They aren’t capable.

Ok, so, this is where I question his capability as a manager. Moyes got pelters for perceived stubbornness, but if we’re really saying that the team can’t play the managers tactics, and he’s not aware enough or not capable enough to change the tactics, then that’s a serious issue.

Lukerz

Yeah, I think ultimately it may result in his sacking. AWB is going to keep being asked to bomb forward. Kilman & Mavropanos/Todibo will still be asked to push up. Souček, Álvarez & Rodríguez are still going to not be good enough to be a dynamic, pressing DM.

We are a quality ‘spine’ away from a good side. We miss a dominant CB to partner Kilman, a proper dynamic CM & a striker.

MIAHammer

We can almost guarantee that Alvarez will miss at least 1 game every 6-7 games due to suspension.
We don’t have to worry about Emerson next game due to suspension. Is Cresswell going to play or are we going to use AWB on the left and Coufal on the right?

MIAHammer

chicagohammer said:

At the end of the day it was an important three points and I like what I am seeing from the likes of AWB and Soler,
COYI

Agree on both but I thought AWB had one of his poorer games since joining. IMO he looked slow and tired which is worrying considering the run of games in the next few weeks.
Soler and Rodriguez also seem to be accumulating yellow cards at an alarming rate.

buffybegood

MIAHammer said:

Is Cresswell going to play or are we going to use AWB on the left and Coufal on the right?

Almost certainly the latter imo.

buffybegood

Lukerz said:

Yeah, I think ultimately it may result in his sacking. AWB is going to keep being asked to bomb forward. Kilman & Mavropanos/Todibo will still be asked to push up. Souček, Álvarez & Rodríguez are still going to not be good enough to be a dynamic, pressing DM.

We are a quality ‘spine’ away from a good side. We miss a dominant CB to partner Kilman, a proper dynamic CM & a striker.

I don't think we've seen the best of Todibo yet (maybe I'm just wildly optimistic), and I think if we do it will make a difference to our ability to play how J-Lo wants us to.

IronHerb

I think Todibo has already shown signs that he is a class above.

Lukerz

Not convinced. I am not saying he has looked bad, but there have been several rash decisions, mistakes & lapses of concentration. I hope he just needs a little time to adjust.