Team vs Liverpool

[Chi_FFC]

Lecomte is average at best

I've seen this bandied around by a few people, but not sure on what basis they say it? 

He's a now 35 year old who we signed on a free coming off a season where he finished 2nd to last in Ligue 1 in goals prevented. Average might be a bit kind. As for his performances with us, as you note there haven't been many and they've usually been against poor opposition. With that being said, I haven't been impressed in those limited minutes. Didn't like what I saw in the Newcastle match you mentioned and also thought for all the compliments many gave him for his penalty performance against Wycombe, the fact of the matter is we shouldn't have needed penalties. He absolutely should have saved their goal in regular time.

[Jim©]

Lecomte is average at best

I've seen this bandied around by a few people, but not sure on what basis they say it? 

He's a now 35 year old who we signed on a free coming off a season where he finished 2nd to last in Ligue 1 in goals prevented. Average might be a bit kind. As for his performances with us, as you note there haven't been many and they've usually been against poor opposition. With that being said, I haven't been impressed in those limited minutes. Didn't like what I saw in the Newcastle match you mentioned and also thought for all the compliments many gave him for his penalty performance against Wycombe, the fact of the matter is we shouldn't have needed penalties. He absolutely should have saved their goal in regular time.

Well i don't think his performances have been any worse that what we've seen from Leno the last few weeks, who is genuinely costing us points now.
There's no way he's been below average (from what you're saying) in his performances for us.
You say he was poor in the season that Montpelier went down (i didn't watch any of their games) but to be fair they were attrocious- 15 game losing streak, just poor all around. The season before he was 4th in Ligue 1 for save percentage. Just for balance.

[FFC007]

Keeper has to be a priority in the winter window.

[Chi_FFC]

Well i don't think his performances have been any worse that what we've seen from Leno the last few weeks, who is genuinely costing us points now.

I certainly agree with the second part of this sentence but not at all sure about the first (controlling for opposition faced).

There's no way he's been below average (from what you're saying) in his performances for us.

Eh, considering the opposition he's come up against in his limited minutes with us he's looked to me like a (comfortably) below average PL level keeper.

You say he was poor in the season that Montpelier went down (i didn't watch any of their games) but to be fair they were attrocious- 15 game losing streak, just poor all around.

Eh, the advanced stats control for a poor defense in front of a GK and those stats show he was a terrible shot stopper and a meaningful part of the reason why they were atrocious that season. And that's in a considerably weaker league than the PL.

Look, I've been VERY critical of Leno and his performances over the past few seasons. I desperately wanted to replace him this summer. However, I'm skeptical you'd see any improvement if we put Lecomte in the lineup and there's a decent chance things would get even worse.

[WolverineFFC]

This is a tough one because you want to see consistency in the lineup, but at the same time...something has to be done from last week. Arbeloa strikes me as a player's coach where he wants to send a message to his team first. I think he has to start showing how much more he trusts the veterans than the rebuild mentality.

The tricky part for me is the left side where Palacios vs Iwobi battle begins. Palacios has the momentum after scoring his first goal, but didn't have the best overall game. Iwobi got on the ball a lot more, but also made a crucial error leading up to the winning goal. One of the unspoken rules is you don't ruin momentum, such as taking out a goal scorer in Palacios, but at the same time, you don't just take out someone like Iwobi - who is known to be pivotal in big matches.

I understand the desire to change formation, but I don't think a team spends two months in the same formation, only to change after 3 matches. Anytime I've ever done that as a coach is just another way to tell everyone that "you don't know what you're doing", because it's true. Changing shape is affecting multiple areas of the pitch, pressing triggers, distances - just to name a few. In the end, it's not simply plug and play. You can lose a lot of buy-in from the players and in Arebloa's case, more than that.



I'm bored, so I've included my starters and reasoning.

Leno- Sure, definitely needed to make the near-post save, but he made a lot of good saves v Palace and was fine with his feet.

Castagne- Despite lunging wildly in the 50/50 that led to the first goal, he still played well enough and it seems Tete is out of favor.

Andersen - Best defender v Palace for me. Power of suggestion on boards and social media would worry about his speed, but the goals Palace scored on us had zero to do with speed and everything to do with over-aggression and falling asleep. Andersen never did that for me and defended the LWB multiple times.

Bassey - I know he's captain, but he's a big source of the over-aggression at the wrong times for me. Still need him though, and hopefully he's being coached on more specific ways to press rather than just putting a body on a player.

Robinson - Same issue for me with Robinson in the over-aggression, rather than being positionally disciplined - which is why he fell asleep to the through ball leading to the 4th goal. Need his pace at Anfield, would be great if he could get a cross or shot on target as well.

Charles - For me, he's the perfect blend of calmness and aggression. Some of our players need to take note of how he is defensively. In possession, he gets caught on the ball a bit as a result of his calmness, but that can be coached and I think he's a good enough player to learn very quickly from his short PL experience.

Berge - Brings the calmness and distribution that is needed when we have been aggressive the majority of the time. Also can drop into the defensive line to cover like he's done this season already.

Bobb - One of the best in possession and has steadily made the RW spot his. Emphasis on RW, not RM, not inside midfielder either. He has a freedom to drop back or not it would seem. He's also an outlet for the counter.

King - Incredible season so far and one we will need badly to penetrate Liverpool's lines. Bobb and him have interchanged well along with connecting in his goal v Palace.

Iwobi - It's a thin line for him, but the better comparison is Iwobi at the LM rather than the center mid area. Let him drift inside as well where he can be unpredictable and create from all over the pitch. If he gets lost or doesn't make an impact, then Palacios should be hungry enough to prove himself.

Garcia - I like Garcia and love his workrate. Obvious choice for me and hopefully he can hound the Liverpool defenders with the high press.

Tete for Castagne and that would be my 11 too. Last time at Anfield Ngumoha had Castagne spinning in circles. I'll be very disappointed if I have to watch him or Munoz do that to our RB again.

[Matt10]

This is a tough one because you want to see consistency in the lineup, but at the same time...something has to be done from last week. Arbeloa strikes me as a player's coach where he wants to send a message to his team first. I think he has to start showing how much more he trusts the veterans than the rebuild mentality.

The tricky part for me is the left side where Palacios vs Iwobi battle begins. Palacios has the momentum after scoring his first goal, but didn't have the best overall game. Iwobi got on the ball a lot more, but also made a crucial error leading up to the winning goal. One of the unspoken rules is you don't ruin momentum, such as taking out a goal scorer in Palacios, but at the same time, you don't just take out someone like Iwobi - who is known to be pivotal in big matches.

I understand the desire to change formation, but I don't think a team spends two months in the same formation, only to change after 3 matches. Anytime I've ever done that as a coach is just another way to tell everyone that "you don't know what you're doing", because it's true. Changing shape is affecting multiple areas of the pitch, pressing triggers, distances - just to name a few. In the end, it's not simply plug and play. You can lose a lot of buy-in from the players and in Arebloa's case, more than that.



I'm bored, so I've included my starters and reasoning.

Leno- Sure, definitely needed to make the near-post save, but he made a lot of good saves v Palace and was fine with his feet.

Castagne- Despite lunging wildly in the 50/50 that led to the first goal, he still played well enough and it seems Tete is out of favor.

Andersen - Best defender v Palace for me. Power of suggestion on boards and social media would worry about his speed, but the goals Palace scored on us had zero to do with speed and everything to do with over-aggression and falling asleep. Andersen never did that for me and defended the LWB multiple times.

Bassey - I know he's captain, but he's a big source of the over-aggression at the wrong times for me. Still need him though, and hopefully he's being coached on more specific ways to press rather than just putting a body on a player.

Robinson - Same issue for me with Robinson in the over-aggression, rather than being positionally disciplined - which is why he fell asleep to the through ball leading to the 4th goal. Need his pace at Anfield, would be great if he could get a cross or shot on target as well.

Charles - For me, he's the perfect blend of calmness and aggression. Some of our players need to take note of how he is defensively. In possession, he gets caught on the ball a bit as a result of his calmness, but that can be coached and I think he's a good enough player to learn very quickly from his short PL experience.

Berge - Brings the calmness and distribution that is needed when we have been aggressive the majority of the time. Also can drop into the defensive line to cover like he's done this season already.

Bobb - One of the best in possession and has steadily made the RW spot his. Emphasis on RW, not RM, not inside midfielder either. He has a freedom to drop back or not it would seem. He's also an outlet for the counter.

King - Incredible season so far and one we will need badly to penetrate Liverpool's lines. Bobb and him have interchanged well along with connecting in his goal v Palace.

Iwobi - It's a thin line for him, but the better comparison is Iwobi at the LM rather than the center mid area. Let him drift inside as well where he can be unpredictable and create from all over the pitch. If he gets lost or doesn't make an impact, then Palacios should be hungry enough to prove himself.

Garcia - I like Garcia and love his workrate. Obvious choice for me and hopefully he can hound the Liverpool defenders with the high press.

Tete for Castagne and that would be my 11 too. Last time at Anfield Ngumoha had Castagne spinning in circles. I'll be very disappointed if I have to watch him or Munoz do that to our RB again.

Yeah I can understand that. I liked Tete at Anfield last time as well, remember him being so physical. I just don't know how AA operates when putting in players that haven't played a PL minute in the season so far. Another consideration is how does Tete play against tougher opposition in this extra aggressive wingback set up. We know he excelled vs Wimbeldon, but so did everyone.

[WindyCity]

Keeper has to be a priority in the winter window.

I don't see that happening.  Typically very little significant business is done in the winter session.  I would be more open to seeking a new keeper next summer.  Give Leno a chance to improve this season, see if he can up his game.  Don't get me wrong, I am not a Leno fan, and believe he has cost us points over the past two seasons.  Would be surprised if any changes made this winter.

[fulhamfan]

we should go 3 at the back with Castagne and Robinson wingbacks
           
              Leno
    Affengruber Bassey Cuenca
Castagne/Tete            Robinson

[C Block]

From his press conference it looks like Affengruber (sp) is in and Iwobi is (finally) getting moved to the wing.

[@jolslover]

From his press conference it looks like Affengruber (sp) is in and Iwobi is (finally) getting moved to the wing.

Agree that's what it sounds like but I don't think it's a good thing.

Our attack has been the best thing about us this season and Iwobi has been one of the worst. I dont understand peoples want to move him into a wing position which would weaken our attack and keep an underperforming player in the starting 11.

[Moussa Dembele the 3rd]

From his press conference it looks like Affengruber (sp) is in and Iwobi is (finally) getting moved to the wing.

Agree that's what it sounds like but I don't think it's a good thing.

Our attack has been the best thing about us this season and Iwobi has been one of the worst. I dont understand peoples want to move him into a wing position which would weaken our attack and keep an underperforming player in the starting 11.

He has literally been our most productive attacking player from the wing over the past 3 seasons. 

[C Block]

From his press conference it looks like Affengruber (sp) is in and Iwobi is (finally) getting moved to the wing.

Agree that's what it sounds like but I don't think it's a good thing.

Our attack has been the best thing about us this season and Iwobi has been one of the worst. I dont understand peoples want to move him into a wing position which would weaken our attack and keep an underperforming player in the starting 11.

I've been to every league game so far and I haven't seen Iwobi played in an attacking position yet,
How does Iwobi playing wide left weaken us, who has been playing there that has done so well in your opinion?

[Thailand Mick]

So I've finally worked out the team according to AA, the 8's will play as fullbacks, the fullbacks will play as wingers and the wingers will play as the 8's.

       Leno
Bobb Aff Bassey Kevin
      Charles
King Tim Sess Larsson
      Garcia

[RaySmith]

You might think that AA will be at least a bit more defensively minded at Anfield, and with our lack of points and all the criticism of his tactics.

Though you don't want a manager who just  changes according to critics, you want someone with a clear system in mind.

But there is no doubt that we have been too open at the back, though  with some brilliant attacking play,and I think we've been very unlucky in our two home Pram games.

I always think we will do well whoever the opponent, and hopefully, against all the odds, we will surprise everyone today, and come away with a decent result  coyw

[SuffolkWhite]

           Leno

Tete Affengruber Bassey Sess
   
   Charles Berg Larsson
   
King                     Iwobi

            Garcia

Liverpool's mojo is up now they've beaten Aletico Madrid!

I would stick in an aggressive midfield but also give Charles licence to get forward.

King is that good he could play anywhere across the 3 advanced positions behind Garcia.

Tete and Sess can still bomb forward but only one at a time thus leaving 3 defenders when we get turned over losing the ball. Affengruber is in for Anderson due to speed.

My two pennies.

[@jolslover]

From his press conference it looks like Affengruber (sp) is in and Iwobi is (finally) getting moved to the wing.

Agree that's what it sounds like but I don't think it's a good thing.

Our attack has been the best thing about us this season and Iwobi has been one of the worst. I dont understand peoples want to move him into a wing position which would weaken our attack and keep an underperforming player in the starting 11.

I've been to every league game so far and I haven't seen Iwobi played in an attacking position yet,
How does Iwobi playing wide left weaken us, who has been playing there that has done so well in your opinion?

We looked worse when he moved there vs Palace compared to when Palacios was playing there who had just scored.

There are other ways to make us more solid rather than playing Iwobi whos in poor form on the wing and IMO worsening our attack.

[@jolslover]

From his press conference it looks like Affengruber (sp) is in and Iwobi is (finally) getting moved to the wing.

Agree that's what it sounds like but I don't think it's a good thing.

Our attack has been the best thing about us this season and Iwobi has been one of the worst. I dont understand peoples want to move him into a wing position which would weaken our attack and keep an underperforming player in the starting 11.

He has literally been our most productive attacking player from the wing over the past 3 seasons. 

He hasnt played on the wing in a while for us, he played well there 3 years ago.

Tbh appreciate im in the minority with this opinion but don't understand everyone's clamour to keep an underperforming player in the team and move him into our attack which has been the biggest bright spot of the season so far

But judging by Arbeloas press conference looks like he will start playing more on the wing, so we will see

[Ruislip White]

This is a tough one because you want to see consistency in the lineup, but at the same time...something has to be done from last week. Arbeloa strikes me as a player's coach where he wants to send a message to his team first. I think he has to start showing how much more he trusts the veterans than the rebuild mentality.

The tricky part for me is the left side where Palacios vs Iwobi battle begins. Palacios has the momentum after scoring his first goal, but didn't have the best overall game. Iwobi got on the ball a lot more, but also made a crucial error leading up to the winning goal. One of the unspoken rules is you don't ruin momentum, such as taking out a goal scorer in Palacios, but at the same time, you don't just take out someone like Iwobi - who is known to be pivotal in big matches.

I understand the desire to change formation, but I don't think a team spends two months in the same formation, only to change after 3 matches. Anytime I've ever done that as a coach is just another way to tell everyone that "you don't know what you're doing", because it's true. Changing shape is affecting multiple areas of the pitch, pressing triggers, distances - just to name a few. In the end, it's not simply plug and play. You can lose a lot of buy-in from the players and in Arebloa's case, more than that.



I'm bored, so I've included my starters and reasoning.

Leno- Sure, definitely needed to make the near-post save, but he made a lot of good saves v Palace and was fine with his feet.

Castagne- Despite lunging wildly in the 50/50 that led to the first goal, he still played well enough and it seems Tete is out of favor.

Andersen - Best defender v Palace for me. Power of suggestion on boards and social media would worry about his speed, but the goals Palace scored on us had zero to do with speed and everything to do with over-aggression and falling asleep. Andersen never did that for me and defended the LWB multiple times.

Bassey - I know he's captain, but he's a big source of the over-aggression at the wrong times for me. Still need him though, and hopefully he's being coached on more specific ways to press rather than just putting a body on a player.

Robinson - Same issue for me with Robinson in the over-aggression, rather than being positionally disciplined - which is why he fell asleep to the through ball leading to the 4th goal. Need his pace at Anfield, would be great if he could get a cross or shot on target as well.

Charles - For me, he's the perfect blend of calmness and aggression. Some of our players need to take note of how he is defensively. In possession, he gets caught on the ball a bit as a result of his calmness, but that can be coached and I think he's a good enough player to learn very quickly from his short PL experience.

Berge - Brings the calmness and distribution that is needed when we have been aggressive the majority of the time. Also can drop into the defensive line to cover like he's done this season already.

Bobb - One of the best in possession and has steadily made the RW spot his. Emphasis on RW, not RM, not inside midfielder either. He has a freedom to drop back or not it would seem. He's also an outlet for the counter.

King - Incredible season so far and one we will need badly to penetrate Liverpool's lines. Bobb and him have interchanged well along with connecting in his goal v Palace.

Iwobi - It's a thin line for him, but the better comparison is Iwobi at the LM rather than the center mid area. Let him drift inside as well where he can be unpredictable and create from all over the pitch. If he gets lost or doesn't make an impact, then Palacios should be hungry enough to prove himself.

Garcia - I like Garcia and love his workrate. Obvious choice for me and hopefully he can hound the Liverpool defenders with the high press.

Good analysis

[rusty shackleford]

I could have sworn this game was at 12.30

[Chi_FFC]

From his press conference it looks like Affengruber (sp) is in and Iwobi is (finally) getting moved to the wing.

Agree that's what it sounds like but I don't think it's a good thing.

Our attack has been the best thing about us this season and Iwobi has been one of the worst. I dont understand peoples want to move him into a wing position which would weaken our attack and keep an underperforming player in the starting 11.

He has literally been our most productive attacking player from the wing over the past 3 seasons. 

He hasnt played on the wing in a while for us, he played well there 3 years ago.

3 years ago??? He should have been our player of the season after putting up 9 goals and 6 assists playing from the wing in 24-25. Marco only moved him to CM in October/November of last season.