07 Sep 2023 14:12:12
Hi ed01,what do you make of Poch's tactics and system so far? Seems to me like he's putting square pegs on round hole. Chilwell is a left back but why pit the guy at left wing? And our formation, is it 343 or 4231? It feels like he's the one holding the team back at the moment. Too many defenders in the team and not enough attackers.

{Ed001's Note - I think he is trying to make the best of the hand he has been dealt. He is attempting to use the players to their strengths with a flexible formation that gives Chilwell freedom to charge forward at will, which is what he is best at doing. I do wonder why he is not using Lavia though, he is the only true DM in the squad but he is sitting in the stands, which makes little sense. That is the mistake he is making imo. Put him in and you have a much more solid base to build off and it gives the rest of the midfield the freedom to play their games.}

1.) 07 Sep 2023
07 Sep 2023 14:44:44
The manager said a few weeks ago he was short of match fitness and it would take several weeks for him to be fit to play.

{Ed001's Note - I know what the manager said, but I don't believe that sitting a player in the stands helps them gain match fitness.}

2.) 07 Sep 2023
07 Sep 2023 14:45:18
HiEd001, many thanks for comments, but on Lavia I think Poch has stated that he has not been selected up to now as not seen to be match fit. I think the idea is for Poch to introduce him after the International break as Lavia was also given leave not to be called up by Belgian national team so he could work on his fitness.

{Ed001's Note - playing games is the best way to improve fitness.}

3.) 07 Sep 2023
07 Sep 2023 15:11:18
I may well have muddied Lavia up with another player but I seem to remember he was ready to play and then had a setback.

Probably just being over cautious this time.

{Ed002's Note - Lavia has not been available but will soon be.}

4.) 07 Sep 2023
07 Sep 2023 15:09:18
Thanks for the reply Ed. Hopefully things pick up for us soon. Can't bear another season like last's.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}

5.) 07 Sep 2023
07 Sep 2023 15:18:47
Ed02. That’s good news and thanks for the update.

6.) 07 Sep 2023
07 Sep 2023 20:12:58
Playing an unfit player is also a recipe for an injury happening and given our recent record its very understandable why the manager and club are being cautious.