Unai Emery

[RamboandBruno]

Clery is pretty much spot on with that video. No easy solutions for Unai, but think it is time for Maatsen to have a run and Torres to see if he can play himself back into form. Not trying to re-start the boring Mings/Torres debate, but we have to move the ball out of defence and through the lines quicker. Seems like Guessand is going to be an important player and whether he likes it or not, we’re going to need Rogers to play out wide, with Malen as an another option, with Elliot the 10 behind Watkins.

[paul_e]

Clery is pretty much spot on with that video. No easy solutions for Unai, but think it is time for Maatsen to have a run and Torres to see if he can play himself back into form. Not trying to re-start the boring Mings/Torres debate, but we have to move the ball out of defence and through the lines quicker. Seems like Guessand is going to be an important player and whether he likes it or not, we’re going to need Rogers to play out wide, with Malen as an another option, with Elliot the 10 behind Watkins.

Rogers on the left with Maatsen behind him is fine, with Digne we get a bit narrow.

Right now my team would be:

Emi

Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen
Kamara, Tielemans
Guessand, Elliott, Rogers
Watkins

With Sancho, McGinn and/or Malen on much earlier if the front 4 isn't working. Harsh on McGinn and Mings but, as good as they both are, they don't quite work in our team. I'd be tempted to try Mings at RCB at times though because he's easily the best aerial defender we have.

[RamboandBruno]

Clery is pretty much spot on with that video. No easy solutions for Unai, but think it is time for Maatsen to have a run and Torres to see if he can play himself back into form. Not trying to re-start the boring Mings/Torres debate, but we have to move the ball out of defence and through the lines quicker. Seems like Guessand is going to be an important player and whether he likes it or not, we’re going to need Rogers to play out wide, with Malen as an another option, with Elliot the 10 behind Watkins.

Rogers on the left with Maatsen behind him is fine, with Digne we get a bit narrow.

Right now my team would be:

Emi

Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen
Kamara, Tielemans
Guessand, Elliott, Rogers
Watkins

With Sancho, McGinn and/or Malen on much earlier if the front 4 isn't working. Harsh on McGinn and Mings but, as good as they both are, they don't quite work in our team. I'd be tempted to try Mings at RCB at times though because he's easily the best aerial defender we have.

I think thats spot on Paul

[Steve67]

Each to their own I guess but I think that is as weak a defence as we can put out. They are all international players and yet struggle to gel, lack concentration, lose their markers too easily.  They should be so much better than they often show even though they are decent players.

[Monty]

I think having an Elliot (or even a Tielemans) at 10 rather than a Rogers could be a good way of getting an extra man in midfield, which could also possibly take the pressure off Torres when he has the ball.

[RamboandBruno]

Each to their own I guess but I think that is as weak a defence as we can put out. They are all international players and yet struggle to gel, lack concentration, lose their markers too easily.  They should be so much better than they often show even though they are decent players.

I get that completely, but the alternative is what we have now. Which has been reasonably solid apart from the Palace game, though Martinez made a big contribution on Saturday, but Unai’s system requires beating the press with quick precise balls out of defence into midfield and using the left back as an overload wide player.
Its not the only problem but the play is so ponderous coming out from the back at the moment, either we try different players there that we know if they are on form, can pick a pass most defenders can’t (Torres) and is lighting quick (Maatsen) or he finds a new tactical default.