03 Oct 2015 13:34:10
Let's start some chat here. West Ham easy winners today is my prediction, although Defoe always likes to play against us.
Is it coincidence that Nolan still has no club? Or possibly big Sam to take over after today's game making Nolan his first signing followed by Carlton Cole? All would be good for Sunderland.
I loved th SB comments in the week, we are trying to emulate Barcalona, high pressing game which we are doing well! Problem with that style is that it is energy sapping and the way to rest is keeping the ball when in possession, which we are not doing so well. But all very logical.
What I don't understand is why we can't change our system when required, surely we have the perfect squad to play traditional 4-4-2 when required?
Still as I said can't see anything but a comfortable win today, Sunderland are the worse team in the league, have no confidence and there must be so much uncertainty surrounding their future that must affect them psychologically. Perfect time to play them. But we are West Ham, so who knows!!
06 Oct 2015 04:20:02
Sorry just have to comment I loved th SB comments in the week, we are trying to emulate Barcalona, high pressing game which we are doing well!"
I like Slaven and he certainly has started well enough and I support the manager and the team. But I must call that comment out as absolute rubbish our a dream of what they aim for long term but are nowhere near yet. First Barcelona play 4-3-3 against what we play a 4-1-2-1 or some other combinations depending who is on the park. We leave Sakho up get nice and compact behind the ball and try to break with outlet passes from Payet to Moses to go quickly or Sakho to do the same or hold for Lanzini, Moses, Cresswell or Jenkinson to go past, or lay back to Payet to look for another pass outside. Compare this to Barcelona who prefer to keep possession often with more than 60% possession in a match with short passing and interchanges, lots of movement, one-two's, triangles and cross field balls looking t draw the other team out and find openings. When they do break quickly it is through Messi, Neymar Jr and Sanchez interchanging with each other and mostly using Messi to dribble and either going at goal or picking out one of the other two with killer passes. Our style often is less than 50% possession, staying compact, getting the ball from a poor attacking pass, a good interception, or a tackle and going quick. We don't pressure high up as was suggested and only did it against Norwich for example when we were already 1-0 down, anain on the weekend against Sunderland only really started to look for balls higher up the park when they were down to 10 men. Weaker teams that don't attack us the way an Arsenal or Manchester City do we need a plan B as staying compact and hoping to break quickly won't work when Sakho is one against three. But I expect Slaven will work it out, I'm sure he has already and is why he has the job and I would never have a hope of getting it. But there is a fair bit of work do, and any comparison to Barca is misplaced or tongue firmly planted in cheek.
07 Oct 2015 03:07:14
Obviously missed a couple of players 4-1-2-1 should be 4-2-1-2-1