"It's a positive point"- says Duff

CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
No, it's not. A point can never be a "positive point" when you play at home turf. Where is the winning mentality?

And this chart, which shows the attacking moments of today's game, is not a good read, no matter how you spin it.
(Swans green, Coventry blue):

Screenshot at 2023-08-19 21-45-40.png​

Instead of admitting we were poor and disjointed (again), Duff serves up a "positive point" bull****.
 
Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Didn't see much of today’s game, but from what I did see, when we have the ball we are effectively 3-5-2. I didn’t see a glimpse of Piroe and Yates, apparently the preferred starting pair, working cooperatively either in a press when they had possession or attacking when we had it. It was almost like they’d never ever been introduced, and as for pressing their energy and effort was non-existent. If I had to guess, I would say that it appeared like they were pacing themselves to last and “look busy” for a full 90 minutes. With all the subs we have available, these two should be driving themselves to be totally knackered by minute 60.
 
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ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
There's NOTHING positive about the way we're playing at the moment and NOTHING positive about the direction we're taking. Not happy, me.
 
jackodiamonds

jackodiamonds

Set-Piece Specialist
Staff member
Seeing from that chart how much of a shellacking Swansea should have had on Saturday, getting a point is a positive. Almost definitely didn't deserve one.

But yes, I'd rather see Duff admit it wasn't anywhere near good enough. Sends the wrong message, appearing to be happy with shite.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
I think we have the same problem we had under Martin - a three at the back and a lack of attacking firepower. We lack a body up front. Paradoxically, we're no better defensively with a back three. In fact, it was only when Martin switched to a back four that we solved both our defensive and attacking problems.

Rushworth - goalkeeper
Cabango - center-back
Wood - centre-back
Darling - centre-back
Key - full/wing-back
Ashby - full/wing-back
Grimes - defensive midfielder
Fulton - defensive/central midfielder
Patino - defensive/central midfielder
--------------------------------------------------
Piroe - striker
Yates - striker

You see what I mean? There is no balance in this line-up.
 
jackodiamonds

jackodiamonds

Set-Piece Specialist
Staff member
I used to be a fan of the back three, but it only works if you've got at least one ball-playing CD who can step up into midfield and two wing-backs that can basically be 100% full-backs or 100% wingers depending on who's in possession, and you really need world class players to find that.

With a 4-3-3 / 4-4-2 diamond there are tons of player combinations available:

lineup.png

I do think the team needs a fast CB and I've lost faith in Darling and Cabango. Darling is an aerial threat from attacking set-pieces but a liability defensively - he's always got a severe mistake in him. I'd still retrain him as a midfielder, or just use him as an auxiliary striker for 85th min subs when there's a corner. Cabango seems too limited. Maybe I'm wrong, I haven't done a stat check. He seems to be not fast and not great in the air despite his size. He's got a decent passing range but I suspect that's not the most important attribute for a CB in Duff's system.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
You know, when a manager comes from a smaller club to a bigger one, he usually plays it safe because he doesn't want to lose his job. I've seen that pattern a lot. Both Duff and the players need to relax a bit and start taking risks. They might just hit the jackpot.
 
Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
CroJack said:
You know, when a manager comes from a smaller club to a bigger one, he usually plays it safe because he doesn't want to lose his job. I've seen that pattern a lot. Both Duff and the players need to relax a bit and start taking risks. They might just hit the jackpot.
Click to expand...
He's also been unrolling the Madness.
 
Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Our talent and depth and experience is in midfield. Having Allen on the bench is a tad nuts. We are top heavy in terms of forwards. I realize that a number of players are still getting up to speed having had limited preseason but ... the likes of Cullen are riding the bench. Granted Yates has been finishing when getting service ... but Piroe is ghosting.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Behindthegoal said:
Got to get our centre backs to pass the ball forward. Preferably not to Grimes facing our goal.
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One of those CBs might not be Nathan Wood. Being reported that Russell Martin is coming in for him, which means if he is successful, there'd be three ex-Swans on Soton's books. Martin sticking true to form on signing ex-players. We know that that club is awash with money so, if we do sell, we want to be asking top dollar. I'd settle for about £10 million. What do you guys figure we should ask?
 
jackodiamonds

jackodiamonds

Set-Piece Specialist
Staff member
Reports say it's £7m with add-ons up to £10m. I'd take it and I'm pretty sure the board will too eh?
 
Yankee_Jack

Yankee_Jack

Key Player
Manning from a free. Downes on loan from West Ham. Wood is probably our best CB at this point. Shame we can't convince them to shell out for Darling.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
jackodiamonds said:
Reports say it's £7m with add-ons up to £10m. I'd take it and I'm pretty sure the board will too eh?
Click to expand...
Some say Boro are due a hefty sell-on fee, so £7m is not enough. We should be asking for at least £10 million, which Soton seem willing to pay.
 
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