And we're writing him off after one game. ..

If FDB wants to stick with 343 and the board have bought into his ideas then they need to spend big bucks on players actually have the technical ability to play that type of game.

I'm very worried. I also get annoyed at people saying those who have been vocally suspicious of this system are 'enemies to progress'. I'm telling you now, we play this system all season with the current personnel there will be no progress, just relegation. It wasn't just the defending. It was Zaha on the left, unable to be as effective in a starting position where he is pushed further forward, it was the lack of understanding between punch and Luka about when to press, it was RLC being started out wide, it was the completely isolated Benteke, it was our full backs getting roasted, Dann trying to play stupid psssses, Hennessy asked to play it short who looked like a rabbit in the headlights.

If this formation ends up working and we finish higher than we did last year I'll happily eat humble pie.

I am not a knee jerker by the way. Look at my posts over the years. Genuinely, this is the first time ever that I feel like a car crash is upon us.

laddo

"People say, live fast, die young. I say live fast, die old. That's me, the non-conformist".
David Brent.

Going on what I understand of FdB's tactics for Ajax, when his team are the underdogs they sit deep and look to break quickly on the wings. Despite a different shape to the team, that is basically what we have always done against bigger opposition. If he can get the team to play his way then the difference is the opposition won't have the ball as much and so it won't be wave after wave of attacks.

If you look at Conte last year he tried playing a certain way, it didn't work, he changed it to 3-4-3 and they won the title. Now I'm not saying we can win the title, what I'm saying is that I hope FdB has the guile to make changes which he thinks can progress the team, up to and including the formation. We've struggled to survive in almost every season we've had in the Premier League and in only one season have we tried to play more expansive football and that was under a manager who left the defence to work things out for themselves.

I'm willing to see what our new manager can do and I'm still optimistic.

We didn't write him off after one game, we wrote him off before then. A lot of people thought we wouldn't have the personnel to suddenly change to a 3-4-3, based on past experience, not just a gut feeling. Then we watched the Huddersfield game and our minds weren't changed on the subject.

If one of these things happen:
1) We sign a couple of players that will fit better into this system OR
2) We revert to a system that worked for a while

then fine, I'll have no reason to bash FdB. I am prepared to accept one of those things could happen and that's where I'll reserve some judgement.

I think the trepidation was widespread before the game. Talking to those around me on Saturday, most seemed to think we would get beaten before we'd even kicked off. Many very fearful of the passing out of defence tactics, especially given our lack of defensive passing prowess.

It seemed the players shared this nervousness and there seemed a real lack of belief everywhere in the stadium. If we are to continue with this system we need a result or two quickly to calm players and supporters alike.

Lets hope Anfield is the start. We may be less nervous collectively with lower expectations of a result.

I don't think you understood a word I said.

I had a system written off that this general team of players has attempted and failed at several times and that I was worried FdB might try to play. And he did.

Edited by Part Time James (14 Aug 2017 10.01am)