Pascal Struijk

[andrewjohnsmith]

Both full backs struggling it seems with this need to move them to be a CB 3 when we lose possession. Leaves a lot of space down the wings. So not only do we not play with width we also ignore width defensively. If JM could shave off an extra 10 yards of ER's width I'm sure he would. IIRC we play to the narrow limit atm

I had a hard time summing up Rasmus yesterday. He made some killer final blocks, recovering well several times. But he also seemed way out of position several times. Seems more and more like that "out of position" is intentional.

[The Subhuman]

I had a hard time summing up Rasmus yesterday. He made some killer final blocks, recovering well several times. But he also seemed way out of position several times. Seems more and more like that "out of position" is intentional.

It is, we don't seem to be playing the way we did v Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Even Spurs. All four of those games we looked good versus top 6 sides. I'm wondering if the negative shift of tactics is for the lesser teams we struggle against... I guess we'll see

[1964white]

Apart from Meslier, our two full-backs were our best players.

Go on, give me a laugh, who played better than those three?

[Cjay]

Apart from Meslier, our two full-backs were our best players.

Go on, give me a laugh, who played better than those three?

Gnonto after Meslier

[Cjay]

You can assign some blame for overly complicating the system which will lead to mistakes. We've recently changed formation and we also now change formation in game. That takes getting used to. Players are expected to be robots, why not the manager?

A manager can do so much, tactics etc and blame will always be attributed and rightly so.

But when a player is on a pitch they need to be brave enough to make there own decisions as the match unfolds.

The best ever didn't get where they are by being robots.

They adapted in game when situations developed that required it.

That is what Struijk should have done.

No fan of Marsch and his tactics but players need to be brave and good enough to recognise danger as it develops and snuff it out.

He was far to narrow and Mahrez took advantage.

[weasel]

I don't think it's fair to blame Marsch for every mistake.

They are humans not robots.

You have a man, you make sure you are close enough to mark him if needed.

I think you can blame a manager if his system/formation makes it impossible for a player to be in the position he should be. It is fair to praise the manager if RK or PS gets an assist or a goal because the system/formation allows them to get forward but equally it is then the manager's fault if the player can't get back (unless the player is too lazy).

[1964white]

Gnonto after Meslier

Our only real spark going forward, but Kristensen & Struijk had much more to contend with as we were defending for much of the game.

Watch the game again & you'll see how much work they got through.

Shame our CB's or Roca & Forshaw didn't put in a similar shift.

[Cjay]

I think you can blame a manager if his system/formation makes it impossible for a player to be in the position he should be. It is fair to praise the manager if RK or PS gets an assist or a goal because the system/formation allows them to get forward but equally it is then the manager's fault if the player can't get back (unless the player is too lazy).

He was running back concentrating on Haaland in front of him and had his back to Mahrez who he left in acres of space.

Not long before that he had gone after De Bruyne getting nowhere near him and it lead to a chance for Grealish that he should have scored.

Seems to be a desire to blame Marsch for every error.

That for me is a player not doing the basics.

If you charge out if position you better be sure you get the ball, Struijk didn't especially 1st half more than once and we got exposed down the left often (hence why Grealish had so many chances he missed).

Struijk as a natural cb (he isn't a left back and it's obvious) will naturally come inside.

Nothing to do with tactics, his natural instinct for a position he has played his whole career will mean he is often attracted inside.

I read an interview with Maldini once and he said very much this, its why you rarely get players able to play cb and full back and the vast majority of full backs were players who weren't good enough for other roles.

Usually wingers or centre backs.

The natural instinct of a cb is totally different to the natural instinct of a full back.

[Cjay]

Our only real spark going forward, but Kristensen & Struijk had much more to contend with as we were defending for much of the game.

Watch the game again & you'll see how much work they got through.

Shame our CB's or Roca & Forshaw didn't put in a similar shift.

I agree on Kristensen first half.

Don't think Struijk was that good myself.

[The Subhuman]

A manager can do so much, tactics etc and blame will always be attributed and rightly so.

But when a player is on a pitch they need to be brave enough to make there own decisions as the match unfolds.

The best ever didn't get where they are by being robots.

They adapted in game when situations developed that required it.

That is what Struijk should have done.

No fan of Marsch and his tactics but players need to be brave and good enough to recognise danger as it develops and snuff it out.

He was far to narrow and Mahrez took advantage.

That narrowness is what Marsch is looking for, the third goal the same.

It always starts and finishes with the manager... he sets the team up, the tactics, the formation, the substitutions, the coaching and the training.... There can be extenuating circumstances and I think we'll be a much better squad when Sinisterra and Bamford return but that's really his only issue at the moment... Most teams if you take one player out they'll not be the same team. Liverpool losing Van Dijk for the season sent the Champions into a tail spin most of the next comparatively. City should win the CL and Premiership, long term injury to Haaland and one of those maybe both are threatened

[weasel]

Seems to be a desire to blame Marsch for every error.

I don't think Marsch is to blame:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-s ... e-64116986

[1964white]

Arsenal

Good
2 defensive headers
1 defensive clearance
1 block
1 pass

Bad
1 lost his marker

[1964white]

Forest

Good
6 interceptions
5 defensive headers
4 defensive clearances
3 blocks
3 tackles
3 passes
1 pass
high % pass accuracy

Bad

Rating - 9.5 Pascal back to his very best in his favoured position

[andrewjohnsmith]

Forest

Good
6 interceptions
5 defensive headers
4 defensive clearances
3 blocks
3 tackles
3 passes
1 pass
high % pass accuracy

Bad

Rating - 9.5 Pascal back to his very best in his favoured position

Pascal made some monumental contributions in the game. And he was calm and organized throughout. We always knew we had a gem. Just needed a decent manager with a decent game plan.

[1964white]

Pascal made some monumental contributions in the game. And he was calm and organized throughout. We always knew we had a gem. Just needed a decent manager with a decent game plan.

So many improved individual performances, playing as a team under the guidance of Javi.

3 victories in his 6 games, what a difference to Marsch's record of 3 wins in 16 games.

[1964white]

Palace

Good
3 interceptions
3 defensive clearances
2 defensive headers
3 interceptions
3 tackles
2 passes
1 header on target
1 block

Bad
3 dribbled past
3 lost his marker
1 failed to stop or get near the Olise's cross for Ayew headed goal
1 lost the ball over the top that led to another Palace chance.

7 errors in the second-half

[andrewjohnsmith]

Palace

Good
3 interceptions
3 defensive clearances
2 defensive headers
3 interceptions
3 tackles
2 passes
1 header on target
1 block

Bad
3 dribbled past
3 lost his marker
1 failed to stop or get near the Olise's cross for Ayew headed goal
1 lost the ball over the top that led to another Palace chance.

7 errors in the second-half

Pascal often gets lost in poor performances. He's not the man to stand up to an onslaught. He's a talented player but he's not a leader. He seems very introverted and lacks authority. Unfortunately, Koch is exactly the same way. They worked together against Forest because Forest were poor. But we really lack a leader at the back. Someone that organize and snap everyone else back into shape.

[1964white]

Pascal's head is in the clouds at times. I have serious concerns about him.

[1964white]

West Ham

Good
3 tackles
2 blocks
2 interceptions
2 defensive clearances
1 defensive header
1 pass

Bad
3 lost his marker
2 lost possession
1 dribbled past
1 poor pass
1 poor cross

Like so many, easy to play against

5/10

[JoeDenver]

West Ham

Good
3 tackles
2 blocks
2 interceptions
2 defensive clearances
1 defensive header
1 pass

Bad
3 lost his marker
2 lost possession
1 dribbled past
1 poor pass
1 poor cross

Like so many, easy to play against

5/10

Thanks Leon, confirmed my suspicions…he isn’t ideal anywhere on the pitch. I somehow think he’d be a decent Serie B center half for Sampdoria if Radz were to acquire them.