I think it’s definitely tactical and most probably not only tactical.
In terms of personnel in the coaching staff, I’d probably look at set-pieces, where Briggs was put in charge. I know it takes time, but…
We look like we need at least a mini-pre season and that is a horrible thing to say.
We will not get that time on the training pitch, so we’re doing catching up.
Big question how was our pre-season in terms of pure physical preparation, that’s when you build your foundation for the whole season.
And then of course, the balance of the team in the first place and understanding between players (not helped by some players arriving late), phases of the game that are not working since pre-season; pressing, defensive transition, set-pieces, even build up to a certain extent.
I think we might get a full week here and there, but Slot first has to survive until then (I have no idea how close or far he is to getting the sack, I’m sure that the club cannot possibly tell him that he can relax until the end of the season if we keep losing at this rate) and then really maximize that time.
And that’s one reason why I would not want Iraola as Slot’s replacement, if he were to be sacked. Outside of the bottom four the two teams with the worst goals against are us and Bournemouth, both with 20.
It is mystery why we have gone from that hard to beat pragmatic style to the pushovers we are now. It can’t all be down to Trent leaving, can it?
One feature of last season was Gravenberch playing deep. We need to go back to that.
You have to wonder if the changes in the coaching staff are playing a part in our collapse. Of course, Slot would have to be directly responsible for those appointments.
He should be rightly pissed for his team-mates and the head coach for the lack of effort and poor tactics respectively. The bloody hole in the midfield all the fucking time…
Last season by the turn of the year he had 18 goals and 13 assists after 20 PL games. His all over contribution and play has (IMO permanently) dropped off a cliff in the last 6-8 months and instead of being that outlet to score he is giving us nothing. Even simply replacing him with Chiesa/Rio/Isak would immediately boost the team.
Similarly dropping the consistently underperforming Alexis - Curtis and even Endo can play here - and ideally Konate (I do wonder if JoGo can be expected to play 2 games a week and last long enough to form a strong partnership wiht Virg) should also be dropped.
Just doing this would hugely help and also give more space for Flo and Alex to be integrated.
Slot has been unlucky at RB and CB but he needs to do so much better and make the tough decisions re Mo and Alexis
That’s fine. Everyone is absolutely entitled to their opinion, but when that different opinion involves wanting the same as rival fans who are taking the mick out of us then it can seem like gaslighting…
Not to pick on you or on anyone else, but I read this kind of comments, and try to put myself in Hughes’, Edward’s and fsg’s shoes. There needs to be a clear back-up plan. They can’t simply pull the plug and then start looking for someone.
So, do they have one? I’m quite sure that after last season’s brillance, no-one expected this situation to happen. Maybe a struggle, yes, after Diogo’s death and the heavy turnover, but surely not such a slump. That probably means that they have no idea of how to proceed from here on. All they’ll have is maybe a shortlist of good managers who could fit the bill for LFC, but it needs much more than that to bring in a good manager. There is a lot of approach play needed.
That’s why I expect Slot to stay at the helm for the time being (giving it to Van Bronckhorst as a caretaker wouldn’t be a god idea, he has only just arrived). And that’s why I also think that they’ll pull out every possible effort to get behind Slot and offer support to him however they can.
He’s no freaking Brendan Rodgers. He’s a proven winner and hasn’t tried to intrigue behind the owners’ back. He’s genuine and straightforward, so the players haven’t any reason to play against him. As long as he doesn’t lose the players, he deserves to be supported in this tough time, also and especially by the fans.
That’s my position right now: I’m convinced that while this season is a write-off now, Slot will eventually get it right if given time and support. But the players need to be convinced of that. If they lose all hope and confidence in their manager, then it will be curtains. An incredible state of affairs…
The number of fucks I give - or any of us should give - about rival fans bantering us can only be seen through an electron microscope.
But just as a point of clarity I don’t think anyone here who might be arguing for patience is trying to gaslight anyone that the performances are fine, the team aren’t in trouble, or Slot is performing well.
My biggest concern with Slot is that I don’t see anything about him that makes me think he has the inspiration or gravitas to turn round what is chiefly a crisis of confidence and mentality.
But there is understandable caution from some of us about pulling the trigger on a guy who has already shown he can be a really good manager when there is no-one obvious to turn to in his place.
Of course. I’d expect that there are several PL managers who would immediately jump at the opportunity to work with our squad and I’m sure they could organise everything fairly quickly if they decide it’s time to remove Arne. I’d agree that I’d prefer (even if this is the plan) that they leave him in place until everything is sorted - I’m not keen on an interim manager.
That’s not even my biggest concern anymore. I think he’s making very poor decisions with player selection and that is hugely contributing to the mentality and confidence issues.
If the players find out or feel that he’s given a season regardless of this amount and rate of losses, that’s maybe also how they lose confidence not only in Slot, but in everyone above them.
It’s not healthy, I don’t think anyone normal in his profession can tell Slot he has this season no matter what happens between now and May.