So am I getting this right ? You're slaughtering the manager but advocating making pre-conceived substitutions as per a Sunday League or kids game with no allowance for injuries or what turn the game takes in the first half ? Ridiculous.

Playing less time isn't going to give the players speed or intensity either.

The Premier League's changed a lot in the last five years or so. There appears little room for players who are slow, even in the areas of the pitch where it traditionally hasn't mattered. Teams also can't afford too many sub 6ft players either.

I find the age of the squad completely unacceptable. You could see how many of the players were in decline last season and we were largely grinding out results through the odd moment of individual brilliance from Ayew and Guaita.

I'm in agreement with you on this point. We just don't have what could be termed an even adequate defense (age & lack of speed impact) so we emphasize shape and everyone tracking back to cover. The hope is then that we can hit them on the counter but lately it seems we can never get enough bodies forward fast enough to do any damage if we do free up the ball, viz Bat's 3 offside goals called back. I'm not sure how to fix that.

Fortunately, there are some really dreadful teams at the bottom now so as long as they don't help themselves in the January window we should be ok.

Why don’t you try getting your facts right. Where have I slaughtered the manager? I don’t agree with his approach as is my right and I believe his tactical set up and substitutions hinder our progress, again as s my right.

As for the rest, it was suggested by numerous posters that our players are too old to press the opposition and play on the front foot so I merely suggested a way of getting the most out of our older midfielders by getting them to maximise their effort early on and replacing them earlier in the game.

You refer to it as Sunday League or kids football. Well in rugby it’s referred to as impact substitutions for exactly the reason that players have run their balls off and need to be replaced.

You also simplified your point to suit your agenda. What I suggested doesn’t need to be inflexible and with the advent of 5 substitutions is exactly what most teams will be doing.

You are quick to ridicule and protect your precious Roy. Try thinking about the benefits of a different approach that maximises the ability of the limited squad we have.

I think his accusation of others was that they insult posters intelligence if have opposing views. Not sure he has gone anywhere near insulting , just disagreeing, which is what a discussion forum is about, is it not

Edited by Spiderman (01 Dec 2020 9.36am)

My views on our 'Dad's Army' squad have been well documented. We cannot play vibrant, high-tempo football or press from the front with an ageing squad, short of pace,mobility and creativity.

The football has been turgid, we are a hard watch but quite a few of our players are not the players of yesteryear.The passage of time affects us all! Hodgson can only work with the players at his disposal and his sole objective is to secure PL survival.

Roy Hodgson as manager gets criticised but perhaps one needs to consider the 'Bigger picture'.

Edited by Willo (01 Dec 2020 12.06am)