fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
For those with a sub theres an excellent article on the Forest owner Marinakis on The Athletic
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Henderson is trying too hard I think. I don't think 12 months of warming the bench has done him any favours either. But yes, there were a few times last night that he could have got the ball upfield quickly to Gibbs-White and he slowed the pace right down. Frustrating, but hopefully it'll come.
I'm just glad the 4 hour round trip wasn't a complete waste of time
. It sounds like (from Cooper's post-game) that he's accepted that we can't (yet) play "cooperball" to get the results we need. The formation, with the "right" personnel (once identified), should hopefully reap some rewards. It's great isn't it (albeit long!
)
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Henderson is trying too hard I think. I don't think 12 months of warming the bench has done him any favours either. But yes, there were a few times last night that he could have got the ball upfield quickly to Gibbs-White and he slowed the pace right down. Frustrating, but hopefully it'll come.
I'm just glad the 4 hour round trip wasn't a complete waste of time
It's great isn't it (albeit long!
Yeah bit war and peace like but good to know a lot of the context behind him and whats gone at Forest too.
Go on then Jon, if youre Cooper, whats your best XI?
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
From the outside looking in, with the formation last night;
Aurier Niakhaté (if fit) McKenna Toffolo (offers more defensively than Lodi)
Freuler Mangala Yates/O'Brien (don't mind which)
Dennis Gibbs-White
Awoniyi (or Surridge)
I don't think Johnson is starting calibre in the premier league just yet - but could provide impact off the bench in the closing stages, with his pace. Cook and Worrall just don't have the pace for the Premier League, unfortunately.
Cooper's post-game interview with the local radio station last night was very telling (and encouraging). He's basically admitted that right now, his desired long term vision for how he wants the club to play football (i.e. cooperball with 3 at the back and two wingbacks) is not what's needed at this moment in time, and that they think they've found the blueprint for the here and now, with the squad we have and the number of new players. Not ideal it took 5 defeats on the bounce to get there, but the defeat to Leicester is as bad as I've seen us play in 12 months+ so maybe that's when reality set in that his desired formation is just not going to work with everyone not on the same page, and not having the right personnel to pull it off.
If that's the case, the next few games might be a bit ugly in terms of performance, but hopefully means we've become more difficult to score against and can nick a goal here and there.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Interesting how few standouts there seems to be. Can make a case for including or dropping the majority it seems (Niakhate and Gibbs White only real secure ones if everyone fit?). Why no Mangala last night at all?
And still no place for Jesse eh
And still no place for Jesse eh
@Aztecs27 that is smart management, a great sign. He has done what his replacement would have done but he had the nous to do it himself rather than be stubborn. The good news is that no one has been cut adrift yet so you can stabilise for a few games, pick up points, gain confidence etc. and go again.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Interesting how few standouts there seems to be. Can make a case for including or dropping the majority it seems (Niakhate and Gibbs White only real secure ones if everyone fit?). Why no Mangala last night at all?
And still no place for Jesse eh
I can only assume Mangala is still nursing his injury that kept him out 4 games. As he was first name on the team sheet the first 3 weeks, and was our best player. Looked lively when he came on last week too. OR Cooper is managing his selection carefully and trying different pieces to see what fits.
Jesse was, as alluded to in the Marinakis article, Milto's signing - and I think that's what's caused some of the issues in recent weeks. I'm not saying there's no place in the squad for him, but Gibbs-White looks a much better prospect and is Cooper's lad, so I would hope we see more of him - and maybe have Jesse on as a substitute to cause problems against tired legs.
If everyone's fit, in my mind the following players ABSOLUTELY have to start: Nikhaté, Gibbs-White and Mangala. We've got decent options in most other positions, but having those 3 on the field is key I think.
Even Aurier looked decent last night, but he really is a bit of a hot head, isn't he
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Exactly this - a win last night would have got us out the bottom 3 and likely the same scenario with a win against Wolves at the weekend. I'd rather the mistakes be identified and corrected now whilst there's still approx 90 points to play for.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
I can only assume Mangala is still nursing his injury that kept him out 4 games. As he was first name on the team sheet the first 3 weeks, and was our best player. Looked lively when he came on last week too. OR Cooper is managing his selection carefully and trying different pieces to see what fits.
Jesse was, as alluded to in the Marinakis article, Milto's signing - and I think that's what's caused some of the issues in recent weeks. I'm not saying there's no place in the squad for him, but Gibbs-White looks a much better prospect and is Cooper's lad, so I would hope we see more of him - and maybe have Jesse on as a substitute to cause problems against tired legs.
If everyone's fit, in my mind the following players ABSOLUTELY have to start: Nikhaté, Gibbs-White and Mangala. We've got decent options in most other positions, but having those 3 on the field is key I think.
Even Aurier looked decent last night, but he really is a bit of a hot head, isn't he
Aurier the yellow card backers friend
the more he plays the better imho ???Swango1980
Well-known member
I predict Liverpool will earn a lot of clean sheets for the rest of October. TAA is out injured for 3 weeks
Swango1980
Well-known member
Anyone seen the latest shocker of a handball decision in the City game?
Looks like VAR in Europe is desperate to disallow goals for the ball accidentally hitting a players arm, well before the goalscorer even touches the ball and scores
Looks like VAR in Europe is desperate to disallow goals for the ball accidentally hitting a players arm, well before the goalscorer even touches the ball and scores
Swango1980
Well-known member
Actually, the City game has become comical / entertaining.
Never have I seen VAR play such a starring role after only 30 mins. Not sure why the ref is even on the pitch, none of his decisions matter. VAR is bossing this game
Never have I seen VAR play such a starring role after only 30 mins. Not sure why the ref is even on the pitch, none of his decisions matter. VAR is bossing this game
D
Deleted member 18121
Guest
Surprised no chat on the city game... The handball decision on the goal is absolutely nuts, whoever thought having different handball rules depending on if you're attacking or defending should be shot.
Ridiculous.
Ridiculous.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Fair ply to Copenhagen, some result for them that despite City having 10 men and the utter patronising commentary on BT Sport
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Stunning player but clearly seems an awful person
Swango1980
Well-known member
Juventus fans will be angry, not good results in Champions League this year
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
5/2 to go to liverpool in january, would he still be an awful person if he signs?
not convinced hes an awful person, certainly not compared to plenty pro footballers, hes not even in the top 3 in the PSG starting XI lol. hugely ambitious and badly advised - far more likely for me
Hardly recognise this Juventus side anymore, you used to know every player a few years ago.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
5/2 to go to liverpool in january, would he still be an awful person if he signs?
not convinced hes an awful person, certainly not compared to plenty pro footballers, hes not even in the top 3 in the PSG starting XI lol. hugely ambitious and badly advised - far more likely for me
He won’t be coming to Liverpool - not a chance we can afford his level of wages , only Madrid can really. Every other month there is something about him and it comes down to being spoilt and demanding - any team would love Mbappe the player
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
yep cant see him going anywhere apart from Madrid tbh, cant see it happening in january either
