by Sanchino » Mon Feb 19, 2024 7:19 pm
TJR wrote: ↑Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:48 am
The problem with the Burn selection is he's the only LB option that allows us to play Trippier in a more advanced role. In possession we set up with 3 players back, Schar, Botman and Burn playing as a back 3 with Trippier essentially a winger. Livramento isn't disciplined enough to play the Burn role, he's a player better suited to playing the Trippier role. It isn't just as straight forward as taking Burn out and putting Livramento in, we'd have to change our entire tactical set up and formation. We'd also have to stifle Trippier who's our most creative player. If we had a
proper defensive midfielder who could drop in and form a back 3 when in possession it would be fine to have two attacking full backs but we don't have that option.
Burn is suffering because of the injuries as well, Miley doesn't offer the same protection on the left of the midfield as Joelinton or Willock. Also Pope is a massive miss. We play a high line which we normally get away with because Pope's starting position is high, he reads the game incredibly well and he's quick. Bar the red card against Liverpool he's done that sweeper keeper role perfectly. Dubravka isn't that sort of goalkeeper and our slow defence are getting killed by the ball in behind or over the top, especially on the left.
It's not just Burn either, Botman is also struggling with the same issue. He was worse than Burn yesterday and has been really struggling the past few weeks.
The midfield is the biggest issue,
Miley and Longstaff aren't top half Premier League players. I think Miley will be but not yet and he shouldn't be playing as regularly as he is at this stage in his career but he has to because of the injury crisis. To have Joelinton, Willock, Tonali and Anderson all out long term is incredibly unlucky. I'm sure Howe would change the midfield if he could but he can't, those 3 playing are the only 3 available. The balance is all wrong in there and they're far too weak. We can't control games with that midfield 3 but there aren't any other options.
This. Two excellent points. Overall good read.
Miley's only 17 and is definitely going to be a top quality (potential top 6 Prem quality) in the next 5 years but now he's still raw and learning. Longstaff is entering his peak years (26 now) and I don't know if he will ever be a top half (top 6) quality midfielder. Bruno and Big Joe, Willock and Tonali have all shown that quality that's needed to be that type of midfielder and even Anderson you could say has that potential similar to Miley. But yes we need a midfield enforcer (Kante/Makalele/peak Tiote style) to cover our backline. There's also a lot of players that need to be moved on.. great too see Ritchie (past it now at 34) score but respectfully he shouldn't be anywhere near the first team let alone coming on to save us! Dummet too.. If we can raise funds from the likes of Wilson, Murphy, Miggy etc so we can genuinely get 3 quality forwards who will help us challenge for top 4 consistently I wouldn't be against it. We need to build the team around the ''world class'' top four quality we do have already such as Botman, Bruno, Gordon, Isak. Everyone else is replaceable / upgradeable. Trippier as much as he is a good right-back who can assist as shown this season he's getting on a bit and Tino is the future I feel so next season could be the breakout season were he overtakes the RB position IF we get a competent and attacking LB because as we all know it's looking unlikely we're going to keep Hall and Targett is decent when fit but is he top 6 quality or a LB who will take us to the next level? I don't think so.
I'll allow Howe to stay for another season and see what the summer holds unless we drastically go downhill in the league (finish outside the top 10) and get knocked out in the FA Cup by Blackburn. If he persists with Burn until it's too late (were the season is effectively over and we don't have nothing to play for) I will seriously consider he is not the man for the job (long-term). How are we only getting 2 points against Luton, Forest and Bournmouth at home? Just not good enough and that's down to Howe and his choices n' stubbornness.
[quote=TJR post_id=917258 time=1708253300 user_id=122]
The problem with the Burn selection is he's the only LB option that allows us to play Trippier in a more advanced role. In possession we set up with 3 players back, Schar, Botman and Burn playing as a back 3 with Trippier essentially a winger. Livramento isn't disciplined enough to play the Burn role, he's a player better suited to playing the Trippier role. It isn't just as straight forward as taking Burn out and putting Livramento in, we'd have to change our entire tactical set up and formation. We'd also have to stifle Trippier who's our most creative player. If we had a [b]proper defensive midfielder[/b] who could drop in and form a back 3 when in possession it would be fine to have two attacking full backs but we don't have that option.
Burn is suffering because of the injuries as well, Miley doesn't offer the same protection on the left of the midfield as Joelinton or Willock. Also Pope is a massive miss. We play a high line which we normally get away with because Pope's starting position is high, he reads the game incredibly well and he's quick. Bar the red card against Liverpool he's done that sweeper keeper role perfectly. Dubravka isn't that sort of goalkeeper and our slow defence are getting killed by the ball in behind or over the top, especially on the left.
It's not just Burn either, Botman is also struggling with the same issue. He was worse than Burn yesterday and has been really struggling the past few weeks.
The midfield is the biggest issue, [b]Miley and Longstaff aren't top half Premier League players.[/b] I think Miley will be but not yet and he shouldn't be playing as regularly as he is at this stage in his career but he has to because of the injury crisis. To have Joelinton, Willock, Tonali and Anderson all out long term is incredibly unlucky. I'm sure Howe would change the midfield if he could but he can't, those 3 playing are the only 3 available. The balance is all wrong in there and they're far too weak. We can't control games with that midfield 3 but there aren't any other options.
[/quote]
This. Two excellent points. Overall good read. <applause>
Miley's only 17 and is definitely going to be a top quality (potential top 6 Prem quality) in the next 5 years but now he's still raw and learning. Longstaff is entering his peak years (26 now) and I don't know if he will ever be a top half (top 6) quality midfielder. Bruno and Big Joe, Willock and Tonali have all shown that quality that's needed to be that type of midfielder and even Anderson you could say has that potential similar to Miley. But yes we need a midfield enforcer (Kante/Makalele/peak Tiote style) to cover our backline. There's also a lot of players that need to be moved on.. great too see Ritchie (past it now at 34) score but respectfully he shouldn't be anywhere near the first team let alone coming on to save us! Dummet too.. If we can raise funds from the likes of Wilson, Murphy, Miggy etc so we can genuinely get 3 quality forwards who will help us challenge for top 4 consistently I wouldn't be against it. We need to build the team around the ''world class'' top four quality we do have already such as Botman, Bruno, Gordon, Isak. Everyone else is replaceable / upgradeable. Trippier as much as he is a good right-back who can assist as shown this season he's getting on a bit and Tino is the future I feel so next season could be the breakout season were he overtakes the RB position IF we get a competent and attacking LB because as we all know it's looking unlikely we're going to keep Hall and Targett is decent when fit but is he top 6 quality or a LB who will take us to the next level? I don't think so.
I'll allow Howe to stay for another season and see what the summer holds unless we drastically go downhill in the league (finish outside the top 10) and get knocked out in the FA Cup by Blackburn. If he persists with Burn until it's too late (were the season is effectively over and we don't have nothing to play for) I will seriously consider he is not the man for the job (long-term). How are we only getting 2 points against Luton, Forest and Bournmouth at home? Just not good enough and that's down to Howe and his choices n' stubbornness. <ok>