One sign of recovery that I have seen in the last couple of games is that we scored two goals from cleverly worked set-pieces. That is an improvement, and it follows the set-piece coach being relieved of his duties.
I’m curious to see how we go about set-pieces in this match. Obviously, we need to improve at the other end as well.
It will take more than Slot to fix all our problems. Whether that is in addition to, or instead of, is a matter for another thread.
Endo at CB then. Unless they are going try Robbo, I would have thought the wrong side.
Is that confirmed? I would have hoped Ibou would be back by now.
Gomez out for tomorrow, but as things stand it’s short term, so could be back for the weekend.
In talks still with Konate, considering his family situation. I actually thought that it’s more probable we’d see him back for Newcastle.
No question/word on Chiesa though, but seeing how Slot answered another “genius” question from our Hungarian fella on duty about Szobo and where he will play, I think he (Fede) might still be out as well.
Details of the press conference, courtesy of the BBC:
Slot confirmed Joe Gomez will miss the game through injury but he expects the England defender to be back in a “relatively short amount of time”.
Ibrahima Konate will also miss the match as he continues to grieve the loss of his father: “Of course I spoke to him. If you know why he’s not here, we know he’s having a hard time. I am hoping and expecting to have him back soon but not for tomorrow evening.”
On Andy Robertson, amid links with a move away, Slot said: “Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening. He will be part of the team and nothing is happening on this side. It’s hard to say anything definite in this world we are in but I expect him to stay.”
Slot was asked about the pressure after Saturdays defeat by Bournemouth: “It is going to be really difficult to quiet outside noise with the position we are in in the league. It’s impossible to shut down the noise at a club like this if you are not competing for the league.”
He says his team must improve “in both boxes”, adding: “In between the boxes we are a very, very good team. Taking it from promising positions to chances and being clinical to finish them off we have to improve. In the other box, other teams arrive there three, four times a game. Too many times when they arrive it leads to chances and sometimes goals. There is an unbalance between us and other teams.”
However, he still believes his side can win silverware this season: “If we can improve in both boxes we can do very special things season. If we can improve in one it will be an acceptable season. If we can’t improve on either there will be a lot of noise. If we can improve in both boxes I think we can win something this season.”
Slot said he will have to play a makeshift defence: “For sure at centre-back tomorrow there will not be a centre-back. I can only play a midfielder as there are no centre-backs available apart from Virgil [Van Dijk].”
He added that he will consider playing Dominik Szobozslai at right-back.
On managing injuries: “I have to adapt with the system or players in different positions. This doesn’t help with the narrative, I am completely aware of that. It is a difficult balance. Before people say I don’t listen to medical staff, I am listening but sometimes I make my own decisions. I speak to my players, I know how they feel and if they are ready, I take that all into account. If you don’t know the information, it is easy to criticise.”
See, a lot of stuff is missing from those answers.
Compared to what was said at the presser? Of things that were not said?
Sorry, I was referring to the latest convo in Slot’s thread, where we talked about answers and the context of it.
From what he said at the presser.
I’m a bit disappointed Konate is not back. I assume he has been told to take the time he needs, but with no fit centre backs aside from Virgil, I thought he might get himself back for this.
He hasn’t looked in the right frame of mind all season. I’m wondering if his father has been ill for a while. Obviously, I don’t know the details of it. But he may have agreed to return after this match.
Another load of waffling in his presser, mentioning PSG again and getting the excuses in for tomorrow night.
“Smash them, they are shit”
His dad just died
Does Catherine have a good vertical jump?
I am aware of that, but this will be the third game he’s missed. I think Ali missed one, didn’t he?
I’m not calling him a cunt or anything, and I’m sure he is absent with the clubs blessing. But I’m just disappointed he can’t make it especially with the squad in bits.
Ali couldn’t go to Brazil, he watched the funeral online. I don’t know if he died suddenly, but for Ibou’s father that might also have been different.
I’m alright if they agreed for him to miss one more game, I actually thought post-Bournemouth that he could get this game off and then be back for Newcastle.
Personally I’d give him time. It’s not his fault we’ve set ourselves up to have 4 defenders, one that’s always injured, ones that had an ACL injury since October and one that’s 34.
I might be a soft Touch I would prefer Endo there than a mourning Konate, I lost a friend and my gran within 7 months of each other it’s hard
I thought Endo did pretty well when he finally got on.
I don’t mind what Endo did, he’s fully focused on the game that’s the point.
