Unfortunately I don't believe that FDB knows any other system. The 'total football' philosophy of high pressing, possession football is embedded in him from Ajax and he's going to persist with it until it works.

I don't think anyone was confident going into yesterday's game as we all know it's going to take time for it work and we're going to have to accept that and be patient. The return of Cabaye will help as him and RLC are both technically good on the ball.

As it stands we certainly need a GK who can use his feet and comand his area, another CB who can use his feet (Riedewald was pathetic in my opinion) and a RWB. Expect more dross vs Liverpool and Swansea and after that if no improvements and new signings it's time to get nervous.

A major criticism of Benteke at Liverpool was they didn't get the ball to him early enough standing 20 yards out. Instead they passed and passed and passed, looking for the floor pass in the channel to someone else running through. Will be interesting to see what happens.

Agree with what you're saying about the need for signings however FDB will need time to assess which players can/can't play the new system. We may not be able to get in everyone we need this season hence a transitional period but I'd expect a couple more before deadline day and again in January and we're not far off. It's a longterm approach. No need to get all panicky after one game. Patience is needed. Not blind Pardew patience but realistic time for what is a fairly large change and everyone gettin their knickers in a twist already needs to think of the bigger picture of what FDB and Parish are trying to do, not about reverting to type because we lost to Huddersfield which will ensure we never evolve as a club to a higher Prem level

How do you know that he didnt ?

Evidently when Bielsa took over at a club he watched a video of EVERY one of their games from the previous season and some he watched umpteen times.

I'm sure that FDB carried out a detailed analysis of our previous games to assess the squad.Let's not judge FDB after a single game.

Edited by Willo (14 Aug 2017 7.16pm)

Do you think he noticed Ward is struggling and Puncheon does nothing positive?

Couple of thoughts on this:- if he doesn't want Zaha to have to track back, then how about a 352 with Zaha as a wide forward/supporting striker, giving us an extra midfielder. TFM as RCB Townsend in front as wing back, Schlupp/PVA as LWB as now. Another mid would help us play out (when we can) and help us control the middle of the park, where we're not so good anyway....

I think having 3 up front hasn't worked particularly well, an extra mid would help the team way more.