But it is long ball hoof if you’re constantly lumping it to Carroll.
For all his faults, Noble is the best at coming to collect the ball from the CBs. He can then give it to Lanzini in a slightly more advanced position and we look like we have more of an idea on how to attack.
The stats about distance covered are telling. The team are just not working hard enough. That’s one major factor in why we are so rubbish. If we start putting in the hard yards and applying pressure we might start winning second balls that Bilic always references, and some tackles too.
Once we start doing the basics, we will start improving. But the side seem unwilling to do the dirty work first. There is too much passing the buck going on.
I can accept a lack of confidence impacting our ability with the ball (passing, crossing, shooting), but lacking confidence does not stop you running and working hard.
But it is long ball hoof if you’re constantly lumping it to Carroll.
For all his faults, Noble is the best at coming to collect the ball from the CBs. He can then give it to Lanzini in a slightly more advanced position and we look like we have more of an idea on how to attack.
This is a great point. When we finally get Lanzini, Chicharito, Arnie and Antonio in the side together, why then do we take Nobes out? That is the one time he is fully needed on the pitch. There is a reason we never win when Nobes isn’t playing. He is at the foundation of that diamond with Arnie, Lanzini and Antonio. Kouyate is hardly going to supply them and Obiang is very 50-50 on passing.
Friday like so many other games was zero plan from what I could see, at one point Kouyate was the furthest forward and Lanzini was just in front of the back four
I agree about noble, but he’s the fans latest hate figure, they have to have one, it’s compulsorary
Friday like so many other games was zero plan from what I could see, at one point Kouyate was the furthest forward and Lanzini was just in front of the back four
I agree about noble, but he’s the fans latest hate figure, they have to have one, it’s compulsorary
He ended up so high up because they were playing so deep, so he couldn't drive forwards (though he arguably hasn't really been doing that anyway) and just ended up lost because he's not the player to unlock a defence. I guess that's why Ayew was brought on early.
Agree with Jorderz, it's a 'plan' that revolves around Carroll and lacks balance. It's predictable. So many times I've heard people say we didn't play to his strengths when we did try to but it's hard to get it onto his head when it's obvious that's what we're trying to do.
I think we need an identity on the pitch. A manager who is going to say, this is the style of football we want to play and these are the players I need to make that happen. If the current lot don't have the skills then you bring in people from the dev squad to fill the holes. As Horsham said, shoehorning expensive players in to a system that doesn't work from them is a waste of time and money. If Bilic can't set up the team he wants because of the owners not backing him he should quit. If this is his "style" then he needs to start ripping the players apart for not putting in the effort. Start getting players from the dev squad if the first teamers thinking strolling around is acceptable. If the owners aren't going to renew his contract, then they need to get rid of him now because letting this drag on for the next 3 or 4 months will see us going down.
Trying to get that identity and a plan that is used time and time again can take time, problem is that many fans get the hump when the slightest thing goes wrong.
I think SB is caught between having a plan, ala SA and really wanting to entertain the fans and get them off their feet. He’s caught in the middle somewhere
Another thing - why has Bilic ditched three at the back again? You would have thought two 3-0 hidings against promoted teams would have consigned a back four to the bin...
He wants to get all his attacking players on the pitch. I think he has too many "Big" personalities in the attacking department that he doesn't want to upset. If he wants wins he needs to go to the back 3 and accept he will have a few disgruntled players on the bench but the football will not be pretty.
He's not a new manager this is his 3rd year in charge now and he's still trying to get a plan....it can take time but 3 years is ridiculous
He wants to play 4-2-3-1 but we've never really looked good with 4231 unless Payet was on the ball
The team has no plan attacking they were crossing high into the box for Hernandez..... and the defence is pretty non existent as they don't seem to be on the same wavelength hence why we get punished for so many mistakes
On Friday more often than not the ball was played to Fonte by Hart who played it to Reid who played in to Fonte who passed it back to Hart who had to hoof it away quickly as he was under pressure from the opposition forward.
It looked like a lack of confidence and very little movement in front of them.
Rice and Reid are our two best centre backs in terms of passing and on the ball. Hart has a tendency to play it short because he can't kick a ball long (gets no height and no accuracy). He only goes long when out under pressure by an attacker and simply has no choice but to go long.
On Friday more often than not the ball was played to Fonte by Hart who played it to Reid who played in to Fonte who passed it back to Hart who had to hoof it away quickly as he was under pressure from the opposition forward.
It looked like a lack of confidence and very little movement in front of them.
Rice and Reid are our two best centre backs in terms of passing and on the ball. Hart has a tendency to play it short because he can't kick a ball long (gets no height and no accuracy). He only goes long when out under pressure by an attacker and simply has no choice but to go long.
I think Fonte is good on the ball too.
Maybe a back 3 of Fonte, Reid and Rice could work well
I see that we are bottom for distance covered and numbers of sprints this season. Are we unfit, lazy or not bothered . I would expect a manager to be at least demanding we match the other teams effort
Hammers have earmarked Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann - the 30-year-old nicknamed the "Mini Mourinho" - as a potential replacement for Slaven Bilic according to the Express.
Bilic confirms that a meeting was held with club captain Mark Noble.
"The players had a meeting," he said. "I had a meeting with Mark. A long meeting, chat whatever you want to call it. It was very positive…..we have to play better and get points especially from our home games."
Does this sound to anyone else that the players held a meeting without the manager, then Noble spoke to him afterwards as their mouthpiece ;hmm Suggests to me there's a bit of division there; that the players and manager aren't a united unit.
Maybe reading too much into it, but it doesn't quite feel right to me.
Its Markie doing what needs to be done as both a Fan and Player at the club.
I wouldn't be surprised if there is a difference of opinion between some of the players and manager but when they cross the line they need to give 100% and a lot of them haven't even given 50%.
You get the impression though that where it was reported that he has 2 games to get things fixed that I imagine is true. 2 away games 2 derby's 2 chances. He needs to pull out the proverbial rabbit from the hat otherwise he's a gonna and I think the players know this to.
Bilic confirms that a meeting was held with club captain Mark Noble.
"The players had a meeting," he said. "I had a meeting with Mark. A long meeting, chat whatever you want to call it. It was very positive…..we have to play better and get points especially from our home games."
Does this sound to anyone else that the players held a meeting without the manager, then Noble spoke to him afterwards as their mouthpiece ;hmm Suggests to me there's a bit of division there; that the players and manager aren't a united unit.
Maybe reading too much into it, but it doesn't quite feel right to me.
He said: “They had a meeting. I know about that of course, I first had a meeting with Mark [Noble]. It was a long chat and then after, they had a meeting.
“I find that very positive, of course. They know that the situation is serious, and we have to play better and to get points, especially from our home games
Ok, so he spoke to Noble, and then the players had a meeting.
So Noble was Bilic's mouthpiece to the players ;hmm
And, you're assuming Izzy's information is accurate.
And, you're assuming there weren't 'whole team' mtgs with Slav, in addition to the 'no bosses present' mtgs.
(As far as I'm concerned, I see nothing wrong or sinister in the club capt having a mtg with the players alone. I can think of several other instances were this has reportedly happened, and not just at WHU.)
Bilic confirms that a meeting was held with club captain Mark Noble.
"The players had a meeting," he said. "I had a meeting with Mark. A long meeting, chat whatever you want to call it. It was very positive…..we have to play better and get points especially from our home games."
Leaves me full of confidence.
"we have to play better and get points especially from our home games".
And, you're assuming Izzy's information is accurate.
And, you're assuming there weren't 'whole team' mtgs with Slav, in addition to the 'no bosses present' mtgs.
If there were 'whole team meetings' I'd have expected Bilic to reference them in his press conference, rather than the players meeting separately.
I'm not assuming anything; I'm going on what Bilic actually said. It may well be that there's a regular 'players only' meeting and all is well at the club, but personally I'm not convinced.
.. when I referred to whole team mtgs it was in the context of those other historical 'issues' that were mentioned (Payet etc). Which of course Slav wouldn't reference in today's presser ;ok
Comments
See this is why when AC does play it’s a benefit because at least they have a target they can hit (and hope)
But then the fans label it long ball hoof
For all his faults, Noble is the best at coming to collect the ball from the CBs. He can then give it to Lanzini in a slightly more advanced position and we look like we have more of an idea on how to attack.
Once we start doing the basics, we will start improving. But the side seem unwilling to do the dirty work first. There is too much passing the buck going on.
I can accept a lack of confidence impacting our ability with the ball (passing, crossing, shooting), but lacking confidence does not stop you running and working hard.
Friday like so many other games was zero plan from what I could see, at one point Kouyate was the furthest forward and Lanzini was just in front of the back four
I agree about noble, but he’s the fans latest hate figure, they have to have one, it’s compulsorary
I just don’t think it’s an acceptable plan when you have the attacking players we have.
Agree with Jorderz, it's a 'plan' that revolves around Carroll and lacks balance. It's predictable. So many times I've heard people say we didn't play to his strengths when we did try to but it's hard to get it onto his head when it's obvious that's what we're trying to do.
If the current lot don't have the skills then you bring in people from the dev squad to fill the holes.
As Horsham said, shoehorning expensive players in to a system that doesn't work from them is a waste of time and money.
If Bilic can't set up the team he wants because of the owners not backing him he should quit.
If this is his "style" then he needs to start ripping the players apart for not putting in the effort. Start getting players from the dev squad if the first teamers thinking strolling around is acceptable.
If the owners aren't going to renew his contract, then they need to get rid of him now because letting this drag on for the next 3 or 4 months will see us going down.
I think SB is caught between having a plan, ala SA and really wanting to entertain the fans and get them off their feet. He’s caught in the middle somewhere
He's not a new manager this is his 3rd year in charge now and he's still trying to get a plan....it can take time but 3 years is ridiculous
He wants to play 4-2-3-1 but we've never really looked good with 4231 unless Payet was on the ball
The team has no plan attacking they were crossing high into the box for Hernandez..... and the defence is pretty non existent as they don't seem to be on the same wavelength hence why we get punished for so many mistakes
Maybe a back 3 of Fonte, Reid and Rice could work well
(No quotes or anything in the article though)
Maybe reading too much into it, but it doesn't quite feel right to me.
I wouldn't be surprised if there is a difference of opinion between some of the players and manager but when they cross the line they need to give 100% and a lot of them haven't even given 50%.
You get the impression though that where it was reported that he has 2 games to get things fixed that I imagine is true. 2 away games 2 derby's 2 chances. He needs to pull out the proverbial rabbit from the hat otherwise he's a gonna and I think the players know this to.
Maybe reading too much into it, but it doesn't quite feel right to me. Ok, so he spoke to Noble, and then the players had a meeting.
So Noble was Bilic's mouthpiece to the players ;hmm
They held a meeting about Sakho kicking off at not starting
They held a meeting about removing Payet from the WhatsApp group
They sound like a close bunch who love a meeting
;ok
;run
Unless you think they shouldn't have player mtgs?
And, you're assuming Izzy's information is accurate.
And, you're assuming there weren't 'whole team' mtgs with Slav, in addition to the 'no bosses present' mtgs.
(As far as I'm concerned, I see nothing wrong or sinister in the club capt having a mtg with the players alone. I can think of several other instances were this has reportedly happened, and not just at WHU.)
"we have to play better and get points especially from our home games".
No kidding Sherlock ;hmm .....genius ;doh !!!!
Now that's what I call a manager ;wahoo
I'm not assuming anything; I'm going on what Bilic actually said. It may well be that there's a regular 'players only' meeting and all is well at the club, but personally I'm not convinced.
.. when I referred to whole team mtgs it was in the context of those other historical 'issues' that were mentioned (Payet etc). Which of course Slav wouldn't reference in today's presser ;ok