Unai Emery

[SoccerHQ]

We got squeezed out in the middle yesterday so it would make sense to try a different set up and Palace worked out how to nullify us.

Rogers wide might not be a bad shout.

I would be incredibly surprised if Unai ever plays Onana and Kamara together which a few seem to be calling for. He’s always had a least one passer in the middle.

I think we'll go 4-3-3 more if those guys are ever fit at the same time, Onana + Kamara as the deep sitting pivot (because our defensive record has been rubbish in 2024) and then Tielemans more advanced.

I'd also move Rogers out wide as he gave the ball away a ridiculous amount of times in the first hour on Saturday so get him more running at one of the fullbacks.

What I also dislike is always having to start a defensive player at fullback. Take Saturday. Pleased finally to see Maatsen given a long awaited prem start but did we really have to dig out Bogarde for the first time since mid September?

Currently we're conceding loads of goals and look predictable going forward so this is surely a time in Unai's tenure when he should be mixing things up a little more and keeping opponents guessing as it's not a good thing opposition managers are getting results off us and then saying post match they knew exactly how we were going to set up.

[Villan82]

Unai, mate, what's going on? It doesn't feel right at all. Please fix it.

[Mister E]

I know there are some on here who dislike the idea of three at the back but at the moment our best defensive option has to be Mings, Konsa and Torres as a back three. Against Chelsea Torres again looks poor defensively and if we are to play him we need to play him as a sweeper-passer.
Mings is probably the best defender we have in the squad. 3 centre backs and two wingbacks for the next game please.

[Demitri_C]

Sorry unai but you made a absolute mess of the summer transfer window

[Steve67]

Some of these players have gone as far as they can and need to be moved on.  Rebuild needed, especially for the defence.

[usav]

We've given Emery all the credit in the world so far - and deservedly so.

However, we now have to say that trotting out the same formation game after game when it clearly isn't working warrants criticism.  The system isn't working and needs to be changed now.

[aj2k77]

Wake up, the defensive set up hasnt worked for 12 months.

[Monty]

We've given Emery all the credit in the world so far - and deservedly so.

However, we now have to say that trotting out the same formation game after game when it clearly isn't working warrants criticism.  The system isn't working and needs to be changed now.

He changed the shape against Juve and we looked a lot more solid. Back to the old shape today, and we look the easiest team to play against in the world.

[pauliewalnuts]

Yeah he has to change that, we are so predictable and it’s just not working.

[PaulWinch again]

This is getting very bad Unai, you’ve been amazing for the club and spent much of the time over performing but now we’re underperforming. Do something different, because barely any player is playing well. That is more than just individual form, it’s systemic.

[Risso]

That was our strongest first eleven today. Embarrassing. 8 winless games, dreadful run.

[pauliewalnuts]

The lack of energy is what concerns me. Yeah it’s tough playing champions league games too but we are playing like we are half pissed.

[levico]

Something’s badly wrong now. Personally I only understand one out of three words he says but the players are probably better attuned. Maybe it’s death by meetings. It never got the best out of me in the corporate world.

[aj2k77]

The players need to wake up. Lackadaisical attitudes, starting halves really slowly. Cock ups all over the shop. Pass backs, picking the ball up,  getting caught out from our own corners.

Maybe it is mental fatigue? They all look thick as fuck.

[jwarry]

I will continue to defend him but I can’t help feeling his tools for the job are not working and he’s not willing to try other tools