Rousseau

It's soul destroying...

4-2-3-1 with Windass on. At least he has the bollocks to change it when it's clearly not working. I'm not convinced it'll work, though.

I'm considering turning it over; it's just...

Actually, we had a better set-up then!

The defence is not dealing with (a) balls on the ground and the movement, nor (b) are they dealing with the physical battle. Add to that the midfield letting them pass through them, then just jogging back! Too easy. It's not zonal or Man-marking.

What a joke.

We've not got an out-ball; Murphy, Morelos and Candeias are not making themselves available.

If we're blocking off the centre and forcing them wide, then I think I'd prefer Alves instead of McCrorie; he's just better in the air, and at clearing things.

McCrorie is not quite dealing with Dembele.

Looks like a 4-3-3, with a narrow front three like Liverpool. Hopefully that allows us to block off the centre, forcing them wide.

I think that's 4-5 bluenoses in the starting line-up? Hopefully it helps.

Was it you that leaked it?

Oh well; Halliday will do a job then. Do you think Murty reads the forum?

I'd prefer Goss for Halliday, but it's ok; the energy will be needed. It depends whether Dorrans plays in a flat three (or 1-2), or as a #10. If it's the former, fine; if it's the latter then I'd prefer Goss. We've always got Windass to come off the bench later on.

Why is our team getting leaked? Speculation is fine, but why would anyone release it early?

What's disappointing is they don't make many interceptions. We need that more; that reading of the game, stopping forward passes into our defensive area.

For all those saying Alves has been poor and that Bates has been good, there's not much between them. Those radars suggest Alves is better. Bates attempts to get the ball back more and makes fewer errors, but Alves wins more aerial duels and is superior in passing forward. It would be interesting to see Martin's, but he's not played enough yet.

Talking of CBs:

I think he's a good professional -- I can't remember who said it, but in the match programme last week, he's apparently always training or in the gym. He's a good player to have around, and he does a solid job. I don't want him in the first-team, though. We need someone better.

Saying that, we'll beat them tomorrow and get screwed by 'Well in the final...

Article about Germany's superb young coaches: Germany's youthful coaching revolution is showing the way forward in Europe https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/bundesliga-hoffenheim-julian-nagelsmann-schalke-04-domenico-tedesco-a7839166.html

Yes, I know of Largs. It's different, though. I'd need to do more research, but it's not just about getting your badges, but about developing methodologies, tactics, training methods etc., and I think it's linked to clubs as well. No, I think most managers will work under a DoF nowadays -- unless it's an old-fashioned British type that wants absolute control; but we don't want -- or should not -- want to go down that route. I don't think Murty was ever going to get the job. I believe -- or perhaps it's hope -- that a new man will be appointed at the end of the season.

Of course, but you still need the best mix to create that collective. You were the one who identified individuals without recourse to the game-plan. I'm just thinking about the type of game we might play and trying to fit in the players to suit that; as were you. However, like you said elsewhere, I'll take a win any way we can get it!