Where has our scintillating football gone.

[Thailand Mick]

When we were promoted from the championship I advocated that whatever happened that first season we should keep Marco because the football we were playing was so good. Now I know we had to change our approach because we didn't have the quality players to play the same way in the Premier league but now four years on we should have built a team to start replicating that style again. We have now gone full parker ball and signing a couple of players I don't think is going to change anything. All season I have heard Marco comment about missed chances but I'm not seeing many, most of these are half chances at best. I am now of the opinion that if we don't change tactics we are in for a struggling season ahead and just signing new players won't change that.

[SuffolkWhite]

I agree Mick, a change imminent I think, a natural parting of the ways.

 I do think a ball playing young version of Cairney and striker could have changed this season even as late as January.

[FFC In Oz]

It's been missing most of the season.

Hopefully a new manager can reinvigorate us with a new playing style and bring back some verve and fluency.

We've been impotent in front of goal for the last 10 matches or so.

[Holders]

To a French vineyard.

[demeant0r]

It went away when Boa Morte left, I've been trying to tell you guys how important Boa was and advocated for him to be our next manager.

[Volz]

I agree but i feel it is a tactical issue that is also heavily influenced by playing   DO NOT CONCEED WASTE TIME PASS BALL FOCUS ON LONG THROW INS AND CORNERS that has been exceptionally prevalent in general for PL lately. I wonder how much that streamlined approach has influenced Marco's tactical implementation as well.
Controversial opinion but for entertainment purposes i am finding PL to be the most boring it has ever been. Fun with the shake-up of big teams edging relegation, sure. But the actual football played has never been any less thrilling to me personally. I miss the Championship.

[JimmyConway]

Taking this season into consideration and struggling to think of a game where we were scintillating? Tottenham first half springs to mind Wolves second half though they only had 10 men. Brentford at home was possibly our best 90min display but that was September 2025? Has been a season where it feels like we have been starved of quality displays?

[ffc73]

Brentford at home last September & apart from that very rare & depressingly infrequent fleeting moments of excitement.

As entertainment, this season has been as dull as dishwater and as each game passes it is getting worse.

[KentFulham]

Some say Parkerball was boring, but Marcoball is ultimately Parkerball v2. I lost count v Wolves how often we would slow the game down from an already snails pace around the Wolves area.

[bencher]

Pep's true legacy is convincing other managers to try to play his way and making fans give up on their teams in the process.

[Jim©]

Look at football in general, it's all dull now.
FA Cup final, CFC happy to pass the ball back to their keeper from being on the edge of opponent's area countless times. Low risk football everywhere to be seen. Arsenal winning the league because their corners (and VAR) are decent.
Watch international football- it's uninspiring.

I don't think we've been as bad as many have made out this season, just lack consistency. From beating Villa one week to doing nothing the next week v Arsenal, beating Spurs at home to losing to W Ham at home etc etc

[WindyCity]

Maybe a contrarian opinion, but for me three points at the end of the day is scintillating enough for me, regardless how achieved.  Yeah, it can be frustrating watching sideways and backwards football, especially when chasing a game, but I guess that control of the football is paramount in the buildup.  But a smile on my face every time with three points, and to achieve that result there are likely some 'good' moments of football, both on the offensive and defensive side of the game.  I really don't care how achieved, just give me the three points please!

[bahay18]

It's hard to remember a fully convincing 90 mins performance . Even when we won at spurs I don't think we had a shot after 20 mins ?

There has been a sharp drop off this season. Even when lost last season we still played with a swagger

[FPT]

To specifically answer the original post, the squad mechanics vs the Championship are vastly different. The first point would be we got worse (somehow) both up top and in the 10 (maybe the latter is harsh but I'll go into more detail later).

Then we've gotten bigger and different stylistically in central midfield specifically but also centre back. And additionally less attacking presence from right back.

So the players spoken about above (in order) are: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fabio Carvalho, Jean Michel Seri, Harrison Reed, Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream and Neco Williams (by the end of the season).

They've turned into: Raul Jimenez, Emile Smith Rowe, Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey and Kenny Tete.
-

To put a line under that, we're more focused on coping physically with bigger, stiffer bodies and had a regression in two key attacking areas.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is one of the best strikers we've ever had. A physical unit who could battle two or three centre halves, win his 50-50s and put the ball in the net in a variety of ways. Raul in his prime would have been a fantastic replacement but age has caught up.

I do think Fabio Carvalho was the perfect 10 for this system, his personality on and off the ball, the way he could create, have fluidity either side or in that central role, his movement was terrific, his technical ability meant he could connect play or go on a mazy dribble and he had a natural scoring ability. I know it hasn't worked out for him since leaving but I just thought he was a fantastic footballer and we haven't been able to replicate his presence with either Andreas Pereira, Emile Smith Rowe or Josh King.

Jean Michel Seri was a gorgeous dictator in a division where he didn't have to worry too much defensively he could orchestrate play; and we don't really have that style of player in the squad anymore. Tom Cairney is as close as we can get but even then it's not a level where you'd trust him as your deepest midfielder. Once we came up, we obviously went Joao Palhinha to bring size, presence and elite ball winning so it was just a different skillset. Sander Berge is sort of a beige blend of the two but not as good at either running a game or getting the ball back.

Sasa Lukic fulfils Harrison Reed's role somewhat but has been utilised in that deepest role at times too. Reed's darting runs to the byline as a bit of an underlap to connect with the full back and right sided player to create a triangle similarly to the left side was very good for a period. I don't think we've been able to find someone fully capable of doing that role at the Premier League level - or even be that more of a dictator alongside a monster in midfield to make a little tweak.

Joachim Andersen has replaced Tosin. A bit similar perhaps but I think Tosin's passing through the lines is far superior though. Andersen does have lovely ability when passing long but yeah, I don't think he's as good short/medium. Tosin also provided a bit more athleticism that allowed us to push a little higher and let us send the right back up much further.

Calvin Bassey instead of Tim Ream, the differences are obvious but I love Bassey honestly. His distribution isn't as good but Bassey's game and loves the battle. If a "bigger" team was to have a nibble, I'd look and going more Reamish (Cuenca?) afterwards but Bassey has been a lot of fun to have here.

Before I go into this, I must say I do like Kenny Tete and appreciate his contribution to the club over the years. BUT, he's not a flyer down the flank. Obviously he's always had injury issues and is never fit for a season but when you see what Robinson and Sessegnon can do on the other side, I've always felt we're a bit unbalanced in the Premier League. I thought our football levelled up when we got Neco Williams in. I'd like to see someone with a bit of pace and energy, can get stuck in but is mostly forward, can play and deliver balls into the box.

I'll stop my rambling but yeah I do feel like we're just in an awkward half stage of some players suit us going back to that way (Kevin, Bobb, King, Chukwueze, Iwobi) but others don't. I think this is quite a natural point for a lot of clubs after a few years in the Premier League so I am cautious to say "Silva has taken us as far as he can" like others, though the timing may feel right for a parting; if he was to sign on, I think there's plenty of potential in this squad foundations with a few quid thrown at it to be a serious playing team again at this level.

[KentFulham]

Watching Bournmouth last night just re-enforced how far behind we really are in a search for Europe. They looked electric, like a team mid season, not 40 games in! We really do need a squad refresh and a dose of reality as to the compentnace of our players.

[Jim©]

Watching Bournmouth last night just re-enforced how far behind we really are in a search for Europe. They looked electric, like a team mid season, not 40 games in! We really do need a squad refresh and a dose of reality as to the compentnace of our players.

Yet the game against them we matched them. They've found a way to squeak wins when they're not performing, we havent.

[HV71]

Im missing the Jay / Angus debate on this one . Come on chaps you have gone quiet of late - perhaps the football has put you to sleep

[KentFulham]

Watching Bournmouth last night just re-enforced how far behind we really are in a search for Europe. They looked electric, like a team mid season, not 40 games in! We really do need a squad refresh and a dose of reality as to the compentnace of our players.

Yet the game against them we matched them. They've found a way to squeak wins when they're not performing, we havent.

We didnt really match them at all, they never looked troubled despite us having 60% possession, 11 Corners to their 2, 485 passes at 90% accuracy to their 341 passes at 87% accuracy and 11 (2 on target) shots to their 7 (4 on target).

The fact is, we are a slow possession team with no teeth, there was no match between us, just a matter of time before they did us.

[Whitestone]

Watching Bournmouth last night just re-enforced how far behind we really are in a search for Europe. They looked electric, like a team mid season, not 40 games in! We really do need a squad refresh and a dose of reality as to the compentnace of our players.

Yet the game against them we matched them. They've found a way to squeak wins when they're not performing, we havent.

We didnt really match them at all, they never looked troubled despite us having 60% possession, 11 Corners to their 2, 485 passes at 90% accuracy to their 341 passes at 87% accuracy and 11 (2 on target) shots to their 7 (4 on target).

The fact is, we are a slow possession team with no teeth, there was no match between us, just a matter of time before they did us.

We didn't just match Bournemouth we were the better team on the day and probably only lost the game because of the Andersen sending off. We haven't been great lately but against Bournemouth we played well. I'm not a fan of the football that's been served up in general this season but that wasn't the case against Bournemouth. But yes, in general, they are way ahead of us in the way they play football and recruitment. Can we have Iraola and the Bournemouth recruitment team please Mr Khan!

[KentFulham]

Watching Bournmouth last night just re-enforced how far behind we really are in a search for Europe. They looked electric, like a team mid season, not 40 games in! We really do need a squad refresh and a dose of reality as to the compentnace of our players.

Yet the game against them we matched them. They've found a way to squeak wins when they're not performing, we havent.

We didnt really match them at all, they never looked troubled despite us having 60% possession, 11 Corners to their 2, 485 passes at 90% accuracy to their 341 passes at 87% accuracy and 11 (2 on target) shots to their 7 (4 on target).

The fact is, we are a slow possession team with no teeth, there was no match between us, just a matter of time before they did us.

We didn't just match Bournemouth we were the better team on the day and probably only lost the game because of the Andersen sending off. We haven't been great lately but against Bournemouth we played well. I'm not a fan of the football that's been served up in general this season but that wasn't the case against Bournemouth. But yes, in general, they are way ahead of us in the way they play football and recruitment. Can we have Iraola and the Bournemouth recruitment team please Mr Khan!

In a way that sums up the gulf, we probably only lost because Abderson was sent off, meaning we need 1 extra player to compete.

Yes to their recruitment team for sure!