West Ham (A) - verdict

[Premier Quality]

I’m a huge fan of Adama, I think he’s unique and he can be really effective - I think the team shape overall is struggling and we’re not getting the best out of any of them, in part because we are slow in possession - that’s Adama slowing the ball down to go past people, but also everyone else passing backwards when faced with an opponent.

I do wonder if Adama will end up playing in a kind of central midfield position in a three where he can really drive our counter attacking breaks, as giving it with his back to goal means he has to shake off the guy up his arse before he can move forwards, giving it to him where he’s facing their goal would make a difference.

Whatever we end up doing, we need to be sharper and more decisive - but I’m sure Nuno will get us sorted soon.

 

[prawnking]

I’m sure Nuno will get us sorted soon.

He has a full week to work with them all, which I'm sure will be put to good use. Let's hope Fulham don't get their shit together before then too!

 

[Tredman]

Think someone else said it earlier, but this reminds me of Cardiff in championship and first Huddersfield match in PL - Nuno is not afraid of making changes to react when things are going wrong. This team has had 2 chances and done badly in both - I think we will see significant changes in the next match.

 

[The Bear]

It'll be interesting to see what Nuno does now when Marcal and Podence are both fit again.

 

[Johnny75]

Play them both I hope

 

[Deano]

Yeah it's a no brainer that both come straight back in when fit.

 

[Paul]

So Marcal, Podence and Dendonker all back in !

 

[Charlie Wolf]

So Marcal, Podence and Dendonker all back in !

That would be a yes from me, Marcal replacing Vinagre, Pod for Adama, but would it be palatable to switch Donk for Boly?

 

[StuardoWulf]

That would be a yes from me, Marcal replacing Vinagre, Pod for Adama, but would it be palatable to switch Donk for Boly?

not for me.
It was shit and no outfield players played that well but..... We aint gonna chuck Coady out (I know no-ones saying we should, and rightly IMO)
but he was the fulcrum that fell off the spiggot.

The free kick wasn't taken from the right spot boo hoo. Check the Neves free kick against Leicester LOL he picked his perfect distance.

It ran through the whole team, a total loss of confidence that is, it happens I'm afraid. And it's bloody horrible. Probably not helped by not having all
the usuals around you.

But we are not great behind closed doors so far.

Although I hate saying it Adama must be a sub and play less minutes. Neto-Raul-Podence thats how I'd start. and 3-4-3 switch to 3-5-2 if required.
In which case why would need Adama. He ain't the answer in a two but if its with an attacking midfielder who really gets up the pitch who knows.

We are way to passive both Neto and Podence can beat a man around the box, far too much passing back going on.

Antonio was a beast I thought

We ain't that shit all of a sudden

 

[Carrotdude]

Is there anything in the theory that we struggle more when other teams match us up with 3 at the back? Feels like it happens quite a bit and we don’t cope that well with it but I might be imagining it.

 

[Alan]

Is there anything in the theory that we struggle more when other teams match us up with 3 at the back? Feels like it happens quite a bit and we don’t cope that well with it but I might be imagining it.

I feel this way, too.

 

[PuntsWolf]

It takes away the switch of play but it should mean there’s tons of space in the middle of the pitch. But with neither Neves and Moutinho really pushing forward, Traore staying out wide, Vinagre useless it basically leaves the LF as the player to make use of the space.

Sheff Utd play 5 at the back and with Raul, Podence, Neto, Donck all interchanging in there it caused them havoc. Get back to that on Sunday and we will be fine.

 

[The Bion]

I might be making this up but I'm sure the ideal was (or maybe is) for Traore to evolve into some sort of proto-Henry, who plays on the shoulder of the last defender and uses his pace to get in behind the defence and (hopefully) score/assist. Hasn't happened, for whatever reason. He would seem to have the ideal physical tools for it but for whatever reason he rarely if ever moves off the ball - seems like a massive blindspot in the coaching for me.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

He'll never score enough goals to be a viable option up front. It's getting on for a year since he scored a league goal.