DMAA

Clement’s away record is outrageous. 2 wins since February isn't it? This is being allowed to go on far too long.

Difference is Weir had an excellent injury record. Wouldn't touch Evans with a bargepole.

I went on about this a bit during the transfer window. We've almost exclusively recruited players who are below average or well below average for aerial ability in their position. That will eventually catch up with you in this country. And I'm all for a modern style of play. I just think there is a bit of naivety there from Clement.

Have to admit I’ve lost faith in him too. There are mitigating factors for sure, and it’s a bit of a roll of dice whatever we do. Drastic improvement away from home and consistency is needed before I'll change my opinion. Better transfer windows too, though Clement is probably not as much to blame for that.

Well worth watching. What a performance. https://x.com/declan_19/status/1875094613171822727?s=46

Does yesterday change anything for those who’ve lost faith in Clement?

Ah, got you.

It wasn't. It was 2.13. It isn't possible to have an xG of zero if you've had shots on goal.

Well that was thoroughly enjoyable. Some big performances in there with a weakened team. It is hard not to despair looking at the table after seeing us hammer them.

That was scandalous booking

The Kelly long balls are a real waste of possession

Well that doesn’t apply to Butland anyway

Butland was in the hospital last night. That was starting to spread anyway.

Its true. I know someone on the ward so knew early last night. Only time ill ever have inside info but couldn’t share it.

Hoping this gives us a morale boost that we can kick on from. No shots on target against is very encouraging. Have to say I thought Malmo were tactically awful and we will have much tougher games ahead in Europe.

Football is wonderfully unpredictable isn’t it.

You should know by now that when you cut through the fluff, what really matters at the end of the day in football is xG. @compo will back me up.

Hmm. Dessers has a history of wastefulness though so there’s every reason to believe that his current Goals to xG ratio will correct back to being below average. I said it last summer, not a good signing. His stats at Feyenoord are exactly what we see now. Essentially a poacher who isn’t that clinical. Beale should have known that he doesn’t really get involved in the play at all. He’s just there to score. And he does achieve high xG so one way or another he has the knack for getting more chances than most. Probably partly because he doesn’t feel the need to work back as others do. Someone said earlier that Danilo is just the same. He’s a completely different striker who is better than Dessers are getting involved in the play and he’s streets ahead for winning the ball back. Unfortunately the stats seem pretty clear that he isn’t a clinical striker either. Hopefully we get to see him get a run this season.

He’s scored two against them. Not his fault that one was disallowed. He also made the goal for Roofe against them that was wrongly disallowed too. Not saying it’s enough or acceptable but it’s a bit unfair to say he’s only scored one without mentioning that.

It's all going to charity anyway

Always thought Bas Dost would have been good for us but it's too late now

I’d like to see more of a fully fit Danilo. Just seems it will be a while before we get to. The type of striker you describe is pretty rare, especially at our level.

I haven’t really rated their front three either since Jota left. I thought he was exactly what you want in a modern winger, but they’ve failed to strengthen that position since. Unfortunately they have enough about them to accommodate that and we don’t.

Aerial duels will rarely be decisive against them and wasn’t yesterday because it’s their weakness too. But I do see it as important and a blind spot for our manager. We will likely continue to carry zero threat at corners and be vulnerable when defending them and I'd be surprised if it doesn't cost us points domestically and in Europe. It also makes a less obvious difference during a game when duels keep being lost. It might not directly lead to losing a goal but it could be the difference in losing a game.

Unfortunately my conclusion is that Clement doesn’t know how make a team hard to beat. We haven’t been a solid unit since he came in. The 3-2 Ross County game is the one that comes back to me every time. Wide open from literally the first minute when they almost scored to the final minute. Nothing done about it. And that continued on from game to game. The type of player he has signed only adds to that.