I want a footballing beast for DM. To replace big Nir is a priority, particularly for the CL. We have to have the ability to close down/bolster the midfield if necessary. good Euro sides will counter Angeball mercilessly when our energy dips unless we can adjust.
For once i agree wholeheartedly with you
joking aside, hic, it's a lengthy reply, as its just me, a bottle of jack, a near roached reefer and Led Zep for company, i'll reason as opposed to rant, oh and i had to reply to someone, your number came up
We've seen in europe against even a half decent calibre of opposition with adequate technical ability in possession and tactical coaching, once you get beyond our press, its a potential feast for a clever forward. Angeball (Part 1) had serious flaws for many reasons, going forward we looked awesoe but going backwards it was chaos at times.
I always find the answers in analysing our performance's at that level rather than domestically, as tactics/styles win games without parking the bus. We beat Ferencvaros, Betis at home with a second string/great performance about heart and desire. Away to Betis, was too early defensively. Strangely, Leverkusen 4-0 was the night i gained my faith in the managers philosophy. That night while most were looking for a length of rope, i saw it for what it was, we created more in that match than we did the previous 2 seasons in Europe against a pretty high calibre opponent. Should have been 2 up before we gave them 2 goals. Should have scored another 2 before they killed it through chasing the game. 4-0 going on 4-4 i saw.
But i made it to Paradise for the Bodo game where we faced a team that had been coached for several seasons it looked to play against teams like us. We were made for them and they made us look ordinary while in 3rd gear despite budgets. It took a ball down the wings where there was space to receive, due to our inverted full-backs central position.
From there on your full backs are at full pelt to recover their position, leaving central runners a clear path to our box. Centre half (CCV/Starfelt) initially move wide to provide cover for Taylor who leaves his central position to get backin place. He bursts his balls to get there, is fucked and generally puts in a desperate/last ditch tackle, is turned, forward now able to get head up with time to pick a pass. The incoming runners from CM are unmarked. CH's with nobody to mark as the sole forward is wide naturally endeavour to get back into their normal zonal type positions and are faced with 3 or 4 runners. A pass later pulls CCV or CS out of position towards the ball and then it's a matter of picking the correct pass for the opposition team as we saw.
I've picked the Bodo game at Paradise as the example simply as they were the team that exposed us more than any other. They were very decent technically, but tactically were the most impressive team i think i've seen in the flesh. They moved like something Lennono would capture, we had no answer.
I guess my long winded rant boils down to where i/we think we are exposed and this is in a real holding midfieder. We currently have centre half's covering the runners wide, whereby we need a proper trouble seeker who would snuff this out. In our system though they need real pace to get there quickly. This would leave our CH's in place, our inverted full backs tracking runners rather than leaving them and as a result a back 4/5 in place rather than in panic.
I see people think we need a forward, a Larsson yes, but Kyogo/Maeda will be the front 2 of choice leaving GG to cover/come off the bench. It will take a lot of money to get better than them. I think GG will score goals against anyone, he's a proper finisher based on the type of goals scored. Another IMO would just be for the sake of it unless a class act. Abada did well when required, he is far from perfect but will improve. IMO we need money spent on solidifying the team, i don't think the Club will spend the money required to secure a player better than the front 3.
There i've said it, now i can relax and pish myself without fear of forgetting my train of though