Marcelo Bielsa

[1964white]

Struijk has just flapped around out of position for 65 minutes.

As soon as Struijk moves back into CB we start to get a slight foothold in the game and no longer look overrun in midfield.

Same thing happened the last time Struijk was played at CDM v Villa. Looked out of his depth, picked up a silly yellow in the first 15 mins and was off by the 20th. Brought on Shackleton, had Klich sitting a little deeper and we won 3-0.

Struijk is not a CDM. Nor is Klich but I’d pick a midfield of Klich, Shack and Rodrigo over Struijk, Klich and Rodrigo any day.




Well of course we know that Phillips is a special player and had an easier time of dropping from CDM to CB than Struijk has from CB to CDM.

And of course Klich playing deeper neutralises much of his attacking threat but as you say it’s a balancing act. Simply put, Struijk was terrible today and looks a whole lot more convincing at CB.

Of course it is only my opinion but Klich with an experienced head brings more at CDM than Struijk. And that isn’t me standing on my soap box and proclaiming that Klich is a great CDM, merely than when I’ve seen Klich play there he’s played a 5/10 to Struijk’s 2/10.

Totally agree Struijk couldn't lace Phillips/Ben White's boots as a DM, once again it all comes down to overrating our U23's & playing them out of their natural position.....crazy!

[The Subhuman]

Seems to be what Bielsa things. I like him though, I think he's a tidy footballer.

As do I, huge fan but I do think he's lacking the functional strength to play DMF

[gessa]

Looks a little small to me, add a few pounds and maybe, think wing back is his best position

I just think he was the best option available to us, tidy, not scared to tackle and plays the sensible pass,, Batty wasn't the biggest, not comparing them but don't think size is the main ingredient if you have enough of the rest.

[Fridge]

Shackleton for me.

Would love to see Shacks in the side a lot more often too gessa.

Think he's best at RB or in CM as he played at Villa.

[The Subhuman]

Agree. And his instinct to play further forward leaves Klich as our only player in the middle of the pitch. Seen Klich getting stick again today but he has so much to do.

Klich as good as one could expect today with zero help..Don't think the heavy going helped his touch football either.

[gessa]

Would love to see Shacks in the side a lot more often too gessa.

Last week it was the worst I've seen him play but because of the overall performance, I can't hold that against him, other than that he's never let us down. Struijk was never going to be the answer.

[Ron Swanson]

The last three times Struijk has played in midfield he’s been the worst outfield player on the pitch.

I’d sooner play with ten.

[1964white]

Rodrigo is really a false no 9 - he's not really a proper no 10. It's not surprising, as his true position is no 9. Whatever, it doesn't work.

I watched Rodrigo closely today.

Three times when tracking back he gave up

Twice Pablo chased back & caught the man he was tracking

That's the difference with the effort between our 35yo talisman & £27m Spanish international is there for all to see.

Take the effort & fire out of our bellies and we are ordinary

[Fridge]

Last week it was the worst I've seen him play but because of the overall performance, I can't hold that against him, other than that he's never let us down. Struijk was never going to be the answer.

Needs game time if he is going to develop further. Runs around like a rocket and always put in 100%. The fact that Poch is reportedly scouting him for PSG is a testament to his quality.

The last three times Struijk has played in midfield he’s been the worst outfield player on the pitch.

I’d sooner play with ten.

Exactly my thoughts.

The CDM position is a huge problem for us without Phillips but I'd sooner play Bamford there than Struijk.

Impressed with Struijk at CB but don't think he'll make it at CDM.

Hopefully Forshaw can return and step up to the backup CDM role again.

[Ron Swanson]

Bielsa might actually ruin Struijk with this insanity.

[The Subhuman]

I think Struijk will get better for this opportunity, but he's not ready for the constant DMF/CB shifting atm ....

[CHAPELALLMAN]

I wonder if decent players would want to come to the club, given that they are highly likely to be played out of position, and given that certain current players are given a guaranteed monopoly on their playing positions ?

[Fridge]

I wonder if decent players would want to come to the club, given that they are highly likely to be played out of position, and given that certain current players are given a guaranteed monopoly on their playing positions ?

I do wonder how Rodrigo feels about his shift in position. Will surely result in him losing his place as Spain's number 9? (even if that was already starting to happen, playing out of that position every week will surely expedite that)

[The Subhuman]

He must have talked to Marcelo before he came ..so he knew what was happening.

[Muppet the Cat]

Bielsa a supposedly world class coach outdone by another tinpot manager

I think you’re being a little harsh on Potter calling him a “tinpot manager” 64.

He did really well in Sweden (albeit a much weaker league, but you can only beat what’s in front of you) and his Swansea side played some attractive stuff.

Brighton haven’t been as poor as their points haul this season suggests. Their problem is that they’ve failed to bag 3pts from winning positions and have drawn too many games.

We’ve now been well beaten by Potter, Nuno, Moyes and Rogers at ER.

MB just isn’t as infallible as some rose tinted spectacle wearers think

[Fridge]

Just defending the principle that CB and CDM can successfully interchange if it's the right player. Never say never.

I do agree with this point for sure, by all accounts Koch is effective at CDM and of course today has showed us that White is an excellent CDM as well as CB.

May have minced my words a bit but what I was trying to get at is that it seems easier for a box to box midfielder to transition to CDM than for your average CB to do so.

Phillips does an exceptional job of reading play well and always seems to be in the right place. Struijk looked to struggle today as he seemed to be playing too advanced and at the wrong time.


Above all, this shows just how important Kalvin is to the team. Incredibly hard to replace and we'd be very stupid to sell him if we can avoid it.

[CHAPELALLMAN]

I watched Rodrigo closely today.

Three times when tracking back he gave up

Twice Pablo chased back & caught the man he was tracking

That's the difference with the effort between our 35yo talisman & £27m Spanish international is there for all to see.

Take the effort & fire out of our bellies and we are ordinary

I read this on a site ;

Ayling gives Rodrigo a rollicking

"In the 41st minute, as the first half began to peter out, Luke Ayling’s frustrations with how the match was going shone through.

Rodrigo, not for the first time, failed to stay with his man and track back as Brighton drove up the pitch and onto the Leeds defence.

The visitors won a throw-in and while the ball was dead, Ayling made sure Rodrigo knew how unhappy he was with the work ethic and usefulness without the ball. It lasted a good 10 seconds or so."

[Irish Ian]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng ... -worksheet

Portero Problematico.

Once again Mr Squires is on the money.

[1964white]

I read this on a site ;

Ayling gives Rodrigo a rollicking

"In the 41st minute, as the first half began to peter out, Luke Ayling’s frustrations with how the match was going shone through.

Rodrigo, not for the first time, failed to stay with his man and track back as Brighton drove up the pitch and onto the Leeds defence.

The visitors won a throw-in and while the ball was dead, Ayling made sure Rodrigo knew how unhappy he was with the work ethic and usefulness without the ball. It lasted a good 10 seconds or so."

If fans saw it Rodrigo's lack of effort it wouldn't have gone unnoticed with Bielsa, Marcelo rarely changes his team but don't be surprised if Rodrigo is benched for our visit to St James Park

[Irish Ian]

If fans saw it Rodrigo's lack of effort it wouldn't have gone unnoticed with Bielsa, Marcelo rarely changes his team but don't be surprised if Rodrigo is benched for our visit to St James Park

Perhaps Leon he hasnt fully recovered from Covid?