Come to think of it, changing Bruno into a precise, cold decision making player could be my favourite surprise and could easily elevate him to a whole new level of world class.I think Hag will tone down Bruno's erratic behaviour when in possession. I also expect Lindelof to get a consistent run in the side.
Sancho will improve. His type of football should align with Hag, as does Beek's.
Shaw may get back into form too.
Not only do stats not tell the story about level of general play, they are especially worthless when discussing fullbacks. Fullbacks have low goal contributions. If you use their stats to grade them you're going to be brutally misled.hes an interesting one - throw the Trent AA numbers away that people try to use as a barometer, because he’s a freak, and last season AWB had a decent amount of goal contributions for a fullback - 2 goals 6 assists. I think it gets overplayed in the hyperbole that he isnt an ‘attacking’ fullback. Hes an excellent one on one defender and tackler.
But he has been awful this season. Shocking pass accuracy, suspect positioning, bad decision making. Those are areas we knew about from his palace days and could probably have coached him on but i dont think we have had coaches that improve players in many years here - I cant think of any players we have improved under any manager post SAF. Martial and Rashford are two that I think would have been at another level by now at some other clubs but are floundering.
going forward he may not be the nailed on starter but he definetely has the potential to be turned into something more than he is. I hope thats the case for lots of our out of form players
He was good even under LVG then Jose came and told them to avoid first station passes and hoof it under pressure. We, or rather he totally destroyed that aspect of DDG's game. Several of our players have had their developmental phases wasted under two direct managers with barebone attacking playstyles.Unless I'd going mad but I seem to remember DDG being quite decent with the ball at his feet when his first arrived.
Not only do stats not tell the story about level of general play, they are especially worthless when discussing fullbacks. Fullbacks have low goal contributions. If you use their stats to grade them you're going to be brutally misled.
I really like the idea of re-training McT to be CB for Ten Hag. We need a CB who can play high line and very good at ball distribution for Ten Hag system.
McT also plays CB for Scotland.
I don't think his ball distribution is good ?
I don't think his ball distribution is good ?
I’m not sure it just the pressing is the only issue. running off the ball, running in behind, movement to make space for others. These are the things that make it a fluid system and are things that all the players will need to do but we have struggle with for the past number of years on a consistent basis. With more movement we’d have better ball retention, less pressure on the weak midfield and defence.I'm torn on Martial. On one hand i feel he could work in a more fluid system but reports are Ten Hag wants a pressing team and Martial will never do that.
Yes off the ball movement will also be key in a system like Ten Hag's and Marital could struggle with that as well. Considering Sevilla's manager recently came out saying he needs to listen to instructions more and work a bit harder it doesn't give me much hope. But he's a player with good technique that could be a decent option for Ten Hag both maybe as a false 9 type or out wide. And with a lack of real quality strikers available this summer he may be given one last chance to knuckle down and get it right here.I’m not sure it just the pressing is the only issue. running off the ball, running in behind, movement to make space for others. These are the things that make it a fluid system and are things that all the players will need to do but we have struggle with for the past number of years on a consistent basis. With more movement we’d have better ball retention, less pressure on the weak midfield and defence.
We sometimes start games doing it but after 15 minutes of not pick out players making runs they just stop and become static. I think movement is also the issue with playing out from the back as the defenders don’t have enough options and just move side to side and into trouble.
Martial can but it’s not natural and will need to be really drilled as when things aren’t going for him he just stops and waits for the ball into feet.
They will probably all look better after a decent preseason of being drilled and hopefully regain some confidence, which seems to be fragile for a lot of them.
Yes off the ball movement will also be key in a system like Ten Hag's and Marital could struggle with that as well. Considering Sevilla's manager recently came out saying he needs to listen to instructions more and work a bit harder it doesn't give me much hope. But he's a player with good technique that could be a decent option for Ten Hag both maybe as a false 9 type or out wide. And with a lack of real quality strikers available this summer he may be given one last chance to knuckle down and get it right here.
I remember someone posted this which confirms what you said about off the ball movement being key for him. He might be in for a shock when he sees this lot in training though.
I really like the idea of re-training McT to be CB for Ten Hag. We need a CB who can play high line and very good at ball distribution for Ten Hag system.
McT also plays CB for Scotland.
Maybe AWB, seems like a player that could benefit from a lot of coaching instructions and strong guidance. We've seen him look pretty adept at intricate play and nice crosses sometimes but then mostly looking nervous or unsure.
I second this, I don't think Lindelof will do well under ETH, as much as I like Lindelof.I don't see Lindelof doing well under Ten Hag. His defenders are usually very aggressive and good 1-1 defenders which Lindelof isn't. He'll love Varane though.
