Give the manager more time

[OP67]

Really interesting stat here:

⚖️ Highest average possession %s (top 4 tiers; 23/24):

6⃣7⃣%: ��SOUTHAMPTON*��
6⃣6⃣%: Man City, Notts County
6⃣3⃣%: Brighton, Leicester
6⃣2⃣%: Arsenal
6⃣1⃣%: Spurs, Peterborough
6⃣0⃣%: Liverpool, Bolton

Two things of note for me:

1. Out of the 10 teams, eight are in the top six of their respective leagues, so it’s working for them. The ninth, Brighton, are ninth and punching above their weight. Only we are in the bottom half of the table.

2. For a long time this season, it was working for us. What’s changed - and can we really pin it all on Matty Palmer’s absence?

It works for them because they have defenders who don't panic under pressure. Our goals against is the killer for us, only bottom club Sutton ahve conceeded more goals than us. We clearly have a defence that isn't capable of plying our system against teams in the EFL. Unfortunately most of them are contracted until the end of next season.

[slack_pie]

It works for them because they have defenders who don't panic under pressure. Our goals against is the killer for us, only bottom club Sutton ahve conceeded more goals than us. We clearly have a defence that isn't capable of plying our system against teams in the EFL. Unfortunately most of them are contracted until the end of next season.

Exactly. We're trying to recreate a style that's used by a minority of teams, most of which are elite level, with defenders we signed in the National League. No wonder we concede so many.

[OP67]

Exactly. We're trying to recreate a style that's used by a minority of teams, most of which are elite level, with defenders we signed in the National League. No wonder we concede so many.

I would say most elite level teams are playing a possession based style like us. However they have elite defenders to be able to play it although they also make the odd mistake. I get why we play it as it's the modern way forward but we need the players. Last season the crap defence wasn't really worked much as we were in the other half of the pitch most games yet they still conceeded a fair few.

[matt_magpie]

I would say most elite level teams are playing a possession based style like us. However they have elite defenders to be able to play it although they also make the odd mistake. I get why we play it as it's the modern way forward but we need the players. Last season the crap defence wasn't really worked much as we were in the other half of the pitch most games yet they still conceeded a fair few.

For me it’s not the style costing us, yes there’s been a couple of howlers but that could happen with whatever style.
The issue is more you have 3 cbs throughout the season not winning their battles, I actually don’t think Baldwins bad in his battles and blocking shots. Then your defensive cover on crosses is 2 attacking wingbacks. So for me it’s more personnel and the imbalance of attack / defensive minded players.

[slack_pie]

For me it’s not the style costing us, yes there’s been a couple of howlers but that could happen with whatever style.
The issue is more you have 3 cbs throughout the season not winning their battles, I actually don’t think Baldwins bad in his battles and blocking shots. Then your defensive cover on crosses is 2 attacking wingbacks. So for me it’s more personnel and the imbalance of attack / defensive minded players.

Yeah, it's not rocket science. Three defenders who aren't great at the basics of defending, two 'wing-backs' who are actually wingers and can't defend, no ball-winning defensive midfielders, and goalkeepers who struggle with the basics of goalkeeping. That isn't exactly a recipe for success, and having the ball for two thirds of the game clearly hasn't worked in mitigating those issues.