If players try and play out from the back in confined areas like the incident to which you refer there is always the danger that one could put one's team in trouble.Passing inside like PVA did is asking for trouble and he really should have thumped the ball down the field.

An interesting theme from yesterday was that the newer players all seemed to be part of the team a bit more.

Ayew held it up pretty well to bring others into play and really led our press, that was by far Kouyate's best game, and Sorloth had the bit between his teeth for the first time. He actually threw himself about a bit and used his size.

I can see why Meyer was a defensive midfielder at Schalke. He receives the ball with his back to goal amd turns so well. With Luka in that role, though, I sort of keep wondering what our new recruit is as a player.

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

I think Meyer can do some of what Cabaye did but also create and worry opposition defences. Some of his stuff in the box almost came off and he and Wilf are on the same wavelength. With our lack of creativity, goals, strikers, RLC and whatever else (Wilf going at some point), it makes sense to tap into this.

Luka shielding the back 4 and Meyer further forward? Then there’s kouyate either on standby or in place Luka.

I wonder if Meyer can play wider in a 3 further forward. Or wide in a midfield 4, but not as a winger, but working with PVA or Bissaka, both
Talented ball players.

Or just keep it simple and have him as the number 10 in a 4-2-3-1. The number 10 we’ve never had. However, Roy probably won’t play 4-2-3-1, but it can be careful and conservative with the 2 midfielders and all 3 in front being disciplined. Tony Pulis’s team?

I suppose there’s the danger of a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ happening though if a player doesn’t have a regular position.

Edited by Rudi Hedman (29 Oct 2018 8.34am)

COYP

I added the number 10 role in a 4-2-3-1 just as you posted that link. That may solve a lot of our problems. Conservatism of 2 midfielders who can operate as def mids, a counter attacking set up and plenty of able players to attack in possession with the number 10 as well as on the counter.

Roy may need to change up his regular methods.

Schalke have a higher expectancy than we do. He didn’t have a problem with the speed yesterday when attacking the box. He was dangerous and he made others dangerous. We need creativity and something needs to happen to make us creative, dangerous and less predictable, relying on that ‘we might get a chance at 0-0’ philosophy. Actually when players sit back at Selhurst it can be slower but challenging to break them down. We’ll see. But he’s too good to not play, which is ultra frustrating, which Roy is. No problem if the results are more than good.

Edited by Rudi Hedman (29 Oct 2018 8.47am)

COYP

We were one of the clubs who voted against it's introduction this season.Liverpool were in favour of it.

The kicking they still do, it's the space they allow him to have as the top clubs don't double and sometimes triple up on him like the lesser sides have done in the past.

One on One Wilf is trouble for any top defender.