Article by Jon LewisThinking 1972: Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (the Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff song). Before your time? A version was recorded by Simply Red in the late 80s. Probably still before your time. I think it’s on some karaoke game, then.
Thinking about the refrain: “If you don’t know me by now, you’ll never, never, never know me …”
Thinking about what we know (by now):
AVB is really, really cautious: playing two defensive midfielders against Fulham? I rest my case. Think Chelsea circa 2005.
He’s also very partial to size (as in big guys), especially in the middle – again, think Chelsea circa 2005.
And he’s (still) really thin-skinned (so don’t expect that to change).
Losing one game 6-0 is better than losing 6 games 1-0. Winning ugly is better than losing pretty.
Kyle Walker is really, really fast … so fast that his lapses in judgement don’t hurt us anymore. They used to. He’s also incredibly fit (he’s like some perfect dream version of a USMNT player) -- in the waning moments of a game this past week he ran down an impossible ball, stopped just to juggle and show off on the end-line, and then set up the winning goal. He still doesn’t cross the ball very well (or at least not very well very often) and he probably shouldn’t be the guy taking corners and free kicks, but I’m a convert ….
Sandro should play every minute of every game forever.
Vertongen needs to play centre back.
And we need to buy another left back. In January. We’re not getting Coentrao, but how about Luke Shaw? I wonder, does he (and the rest of the guys on Southampton) really think they’re finishing in the top 4?
Dawson needs to sit. Nice guy. Not the answer.
Despite lots of hate from bloggers, Paulinho is really valuable (if only because he gets in the box and scores goals, which is something our forwards can’t do) – and he’s also someone AVB really seems to like (so get used to it).
Chadli does more than most fans think – and he’s also someone AVB really seems to like (so get used to it).
Townsend is the ideal sub at the 60 minute mark. He may not like it, fans of the English national team may not like it, but it’s true. Lennon is the better choice on the right. And he’s tracking back this year.
What we don’t know (by now)
Moussa Dembele is really smooth but where should we play him. Behind the striker? Lying deep like Modric? Sitting (more like lost) next to Sandro?
Who should play up front? Who can play up front? Should we buy someone to play up front?
What the **** is up with Adebayor?
Is Capoue actually better than Chiriches at centre-back? Judging from one game against a terrible team, I think he might be.
Erik Lamela?
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Interesting thoughts. Please allow me to clarify a couple of 'em.
ReplyDeleteLennon has always tracked back fantastically, it is and has always been his biggest strength.
Especially as historically he's been allergic to taking on a FB and putting a good ball in,. He seems recently to be taking his medication for this.
Capoue is NOT and NEVER will be a better CB than Vlad Chiriches!! - What are you talking about?! Let's leave that there.
Re, Townsend,.
I do not understand why he started so many games at the start of the season.
I am English by the way. I am also not a moron, nor do I work for a newspaper that write constant sensationalist crap based on the last 5 minutes of action and come to the conclusion that Townsend is now as good as Bale.
Therefore I am more than aware that Townsend is not ready to start, let alone in a refined role like inverted winger, especially when we have a bloke who cost £30m sat on the bench with pedigree and experience in the role.
Lamela SHOULD have been given some more game time in the hole or on the right as our only player to play inverted, especially as the right side is the only flank with the necessary FB options to allow for the winger to cut in.
Moving on.. LB & CF NEED to be looked at in January. We CANNOT afford to have Rose as our only genuine LB with the ability to keep width and be an attacking outlet in a system that relies so heavily on width offered from FB. -
Either that, or change the system/LW option to be someone who will stay wide (Townsend) as opposed to Siggy (who has and always will be a No 10!) or even Chadli (I also think his best slot is No 10).
CF - We need an actual Centre Forward..... We have 2 strikers/poachers who dont score and a CF who spends his time doing fuck knows what for £170K a WEEK!!!!
Other than that. Nice job. COYS.