I'm also not a fan...I prefer players who can move...but I can see the case for experience and solidity, to support the players around them. Pretty much, in my view, the only difficult selection is Kouyate....but I can entirely see the point given the form of the alternatives...and if he's looking like it in training, it's hard to argue that a change isn't merited.
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I'm drawing that conclusion from the fact that the only players retained from Wednesday's side are the ones who put a shift in.
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Isn't that an entirely logical thing to do?
...or is it a typo?
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No, I don't think it is when it entails wholesale changes to the team. If a player spends 90 minutes fucking it off, that's an issue with the player. If the team spends 90 minutes fucking it off, that's an issue with the management.
Curious that despite wholesale changes Santos still doesn't even make the bench. On reputation at least, he would be the more obvious choice than Kouyate. I wonder if we've agreed with Chelsea not to risk him getting injured now it's clear he's going back in January.
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Kouyate is my biggest concern in that team. He looked so far off the pace last time I saw him.
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Maybe he's crap, or just not looking like in training? you have to see something from the players. Toff has been solid, Aina has been a catastrophe in recent games. so you change the bad one. If you have a choice. The keeper has shown nothing that's changed a game. So you change him. The three centre halves have all done well, so you play them. We've struggled to get control of midfield, so you pick a midfield that you think can. The strikers have shown nothing, so you don't pick them.
Okay, it looks like a massive panic move, if you are not considering it from a coaching perspective...but I think that's a dangerous assumption to make. Tactics extend much further than the first eleven a fan would pick. There is form, fitness, the way you want to play, how you can combat what you expect from the opposition....and you want to see players putting it in and trying to find a way. It is equally arguable that a coach/manager is chucking it in, if he sleep walks into a game with the same non-working approach.
Really the only thing that makes decisions look okay is good results. With what we have, and where we have come from, Cooper should have enough credit in the bank to not be under debilitating pressure from the odd bumpy run...especially when there are easily understandable reasons.
Absolutely no teams play well all of the time...and we are playing at a level where even playing well, with this squad, might not be enough every day.
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Enough jibber jabber. COYFRs.
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Big team, as well. Hoping for a set piece goal and hold on for 0-1, I’d say.
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Listening to partridge while on a tram in Amsterdam. Thanks tricky.
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Not any obvious 'let's get this manager sacked' energy yet.
You're welcome.
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This kit is horrendous and there's no good reason for us not wearing red and white.
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Woot!
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Really good from Kouyate. Told you we should be starting him.
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Just put all of the money in my Bet365 account on Wolves or a draw.
