I wonder if when it’s all over the book on Slot will be “excellent when the opposition did what we wanted them to and had few answers when they did not”.
There was a game early this season, I think Utd but maybe Newcastle, where we had real trouble with their midfield picking up the second balls in midfield after they’d pumped it long. Lots of fans pointed out it was because of a numerical overload because our midfield was pressing while their corresponding player was already way up field waiting for the second ball. But that didn’t answer what the fuck were our players were doing still high when there weren’t any opposition players in those areas looking to get on the ball? It was like we were obsessed with spaces to the exclusion of registering all their players were looking to get on the ball in different areas of the pitch. It was a defense focused on closing down passing opportunities that didnt even exist. Like the game plan was about spaces and was too rigid to adapt to the reality that Utd were only interested in playing in different areas of the pitch.
There is absolutely nothing about a high pressing approach that should leave you caught out like that because you have no reason to have that many players that far up the pitch shutting down passing lanes to players who arent even there.
If you were watching things started changing much earlier. By early December it was evident our tactics had changed. The first few months there was real cohesion and very well defined tactics. After things started becoming more confused and the rate of confusion accelerated as the season went on. I really liked what I saw at the start of the season by December I was asking what the fuck is going on?
If/when he goes (I’d be surprised if he stays beyond this summer) it will give a clean break to be honest. Maybe the changes should have happened the summer Klopp left regardless I can’t think of a manager who has been stuck with in such form to be re-born. The closest I can think of is that it was ropey for a while under Arteta but even that was never as bad as this.
It feels very much like Rodgers last season, I kind of hope there is no repeat of Stoke but if it does happen I hope we end it then.
From what I see on the pitch it suggests a manager and a bunch of players that seem comfortable with what they are putting out. You can make a point on a single game if you had beaten the relegation candidates at home but every game just piles on the data pile.
I’ve said enough, last night was just meh, it didn’t upset me, it did allow me to fully take on board how bad we have become.
Moyes had a real rollercoaster his first several seasons before he finally established them as regular European contenders. His first full season he had them in contention right up to the end having saved them relegation the season before and everyone thought he had it sussed. But then they were shit the following year and questions about his job. Only for him to turn it around again and again be in contention for Europe. And I think from there is where the Everton 8th joke came form because he solidified them as among the best of the non-CL sides, but with a couple of really close calls
You could say the same thing about Rafa and the European Cup win. He won it with Houlliers squad blah blah blah.
And are we adding must have a beautiful head of hair to our list of attributes for a new boss, because Slot does half cop some shit for not having any hair.
I witnessed Shankly have a run of 6 poor seasons in a row after 2 championship wins. I would definitely give Arne another transfer window and give him up to Christmas.
I believe in playing the long game. History will judge him. Let us not turn into Chelsea…
