There’s little doubt now that the departures of Fab and Hendo screwed up the timeline/transition in MF.
A talented new MF is emerging, but it lacks heft and it lacks leadership- based on the players we have been linked to thus far…
Agreed. Also have seen very little of him but that highlight video he does well recycling the ball although is it just me or does his first touch look a little heavy?
I want trophies of course, especially as we effectively sacrificed last season when it had been clear, regardless of ‘going close’ to winning everything, we needed new legs in midfield. So last summer was wasted. Can’t see us winning the league although if we start really strongly then hopefully we can st least be in the conversation for a while, ala Arsenal. Would be nice to win Europa but what I really want is for us to be strong contenders who are setup to win the PL in 24-25.
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doesnt have much movement after hes passed the ball(in that Vid)
i can wear some of it being due to his deeper position, but theres not alot of the old ‘give and go’, or ‘pass and move’
Personally I’m not expecting us to challenge on all fronts like the 21/22 season. I’m happy with building for the long term under Klopp. After the last depressing season, I’m really looking forward to seeing our new signings in action. My only concern is how frail our defence has become but hopefully, the boys will step up now, especially the senior players.
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He’s probably the guy to track back to the opponent with the ball and then wait for some other player to get the ball off. He can then either hold on to the ball to do a normal short pass or depending on the position of the attacking players (all of whom are pretty quick) look for a long pass to release them.
This is extremely Klopp’s way of getting the ball as quickly to the opponents half as possible. Enables the team to regroup and press higher up the pitch as quickly as possible. And there’s the added advantage that our forwards can get to a scoring opportunity as well.
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You are looking nice in your evening attire @Iftikhar :0)
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Defense isn’t that big an issue. Lot of the goals we’ve conceded have been due to the midfield getting overrun and the defenders getting swamped. Especially early on in the season when the wingbacks were getting caught higher up the pitch.
We’ll see an improvement with better legs and Trent in the hybrid inverted wingback/ CDM position. Robbo can track back quickly enough and he won’t need to go forward that much this season considering we’ve got Jones / Mac / Diaz there.
The change of tactics w.r.t Trent and his role will ensure that not only is he there in the deep lying playmaking position. He’s not caught further up the pitch when we do lose the ball. The midfield gets stronger and Trent can help out on the defense that much more faster.
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we really are “preparing” our next offer arent we.
Maybe everyone at the club needs to see the offer and agree…right down to the people in the kitchen.
I’d say his first touch is the best part of his game. Not the actual act of trapping the ball, but the way he can take an opposition player or two out of the game with it. He’s not trying to kill it dead, he’s looking to move into space.
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Can’t wait to find out when Southampton receive the bid!
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45M in payable instalments with probably a sweetener loan for Morton to go there.
That would be the best way for all clubs concerned. Morton’s a guy who’s too good for the championship and Southampton would need him to get back to the PL later.
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Just sneaked in a look at saintsweb. The number of users in that forum has gone down but the few that are there seem resigned to the fact that Lavia is leaving. There is a hope that Chelsea will make a bid as well but no real venom that was there when we prized Lallana , Skrtel , VVD , Mane out of them. Those guys were frothing then
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If Schmadtke gets this deal done for 45 spread over a 5 year repayment period , I’ll back him to be a permanent fixture.
I don’t remember Skrtel playing for Southampton
Im pretty sure he came straight from Zenit or similar
Yeah twas Lovren wasn’t it?
Lovren sorry.
It will be more impressive if he does 5mil payable over 45 installments
