Chelsea - Nottingham Forest

[zicorice]

Also:

Dean Henderson on BBC Sport:

“I’ve never seen a team so united”

“Everyone loves the gaffer, he’s a great man, a great guy and wants the best for each and every player”

Make no mistake Steve Cooper is firmly in the elite bracket regarding man management.

Cooper with an assistant with PL experience and tactical nous along side him would be the dream ticket.

Just wish that everyone including Marinakis and Cooper himself could see that.

Out of interest, what’s wrong with the current setup?

Most believe that we aren't as tactically astute as we could be and that some of the coaching doesn't seem to be working (see set piece goals conceded)

I'd have to question that Most believe that in full. Cooper hit nail on the head when he said we concede too many fouls giving away set pieces which is the fundamental reason we concede too many goals from them. Some of them (v Liverpool and Brentford recently spring to mind) were very avoidable and soft free kicks.  I think also it has to be acknowledged some of the coaching has been outstanding. Development of Jonno, but especially the massive amount of time put in to improve Taiwo with his hold up play. 

Tactically,  I think with the benefit of hindsight there are some decisions and subs/timing of subs He might change, but still got more right than wrong. 

The only time an experienced asst manager may have had a word to good effect is the first part of season pre Villa home, when we tried to attack teams that in all honesty had better players and obviously much more settled teams. We lucked out v West Ham home, but got outgunned v Fulham.and Bournemouth -despite taking leads in both. Since being more pragmatic (which in itself brought out lots of whingers over time) we have accumulated points at a rate which over a whole season keeps you up easily. That horrible run recently was not tactics it was injuries and individual errors.

I maintain  IF we stay up  Steve Cooper has performed a minor miracle, ably assisted by Marinakis investment to try and bridge a 23 year wide chasm (even bigger chasm than I and most others expected and we knew it would be big). Cooper now has Premier league experience, so for me that ship has sailed now in terms of bringing in experienced assistant. (Harry Redknapp-really? Rather appoint Rosie his dog)If these tactically astute geniuses are out there, why are they not in jobs already?

2 games left and it's in our own hands-everyone would have taken that in August surely?

[wassy04]

Also:

Dean Henderson on BBC Sport:

“I’ve never seen a team so united”

“Everyone loves the gaffer, he’s a great man, a great guy and wants the best for each and every player”

Make no mistake Steve Cooper is firmly in the elite bracket regarding man management.

Cooper with an assistant with PL experience and tactical nous along side him would be the dream ticket.

Just wish that everyone including Marinakis and Cooper himself could see that.

Out of interest, what’s wrong with the current setup?

Most believe that we aren't as tactically astute as we could be and that some of the coaching doesn't seem to be working (see set piece goals conceded)

I'd have to question that Most believe that in full. Cooper hit nail on the head when he said we concede too many fouls giving away set pieces which is the fundamental reason we concede too many goals from them. Some of them (v Liverpool and Brentford recently spring to mind) were very avoidable and soft free kicks.  I think also it has to be acknowledged some of the coaching has been outstanding. Development of Jonno, but especially the massive amount of time put in to improve Taiwo with his hold up play. 

Tactically,  I think with the benefit of hindsight there are some decisions and subs/timing of subs He might change, but still got more right than wrong. 

The only time an experienced asst manager may have had a word to good effect is the first part of season pre Villa home, when we tried to attack teams that in all honesty had better players and obviously much more settled teams. We lucked out v West Ham home, but got outgunned v Fulham.and Bournemouth -despite taking leads in both. Since being more pragmatic (which in itself brought out lots of whingers over time) we have accumulated points at a rate which over a whole season keeps you up easily. That horrible run recently was not tactics it was injuries and individual errors.

I maintain  IF we stay up  Steve Cooper has performed a minor miracle, ably assisted by Marinakis investment to try and bridge a 23 year wide chasm (even bigger chasm than I and most others expected and we knew it would be big). Cooper now has Premier league experience, so for me that ship has sailed now in terms of bringing in experienced assistant. (Harry Redknapp-really? Rather appoint Rosie his dog)If these tactically astute geniuses are out there, why are they not in jobs already?

2 games left and it's in our own hands-everyone would have taken that in August surely?

I mostly agree with the above and 100% want to keep Steve for as long as possible.

As such I see this as an opportunity to allow Steve to stay on whilst the ownership still feeling like they're making improvements and get any doubters back onside. Whether a new coach has an impact or not (and at set pieces there is definitely room for impact), if it's just a PR exercise to allow Cooper to stay on then surely everyone's a winner.

It is disappointing with our height that we don't have more impact on set pieces. Three massive CBs plus Yates and Taiwo must be intimidating for defences and it doesn't feel like we've created loads and likewise on defence against the bigger teams we've struggled in the same area. Definitely an area we could grow in.

[Shawoddyred]

Cooper with an assistant with PL experience and tactical nous along side him would be the dream ticket.

Just wish that everyone including Marinakis and Cooper himself could see that.

Out of interest, what’s wrong with the current setup?

Most believe that we aren't as tactically astute as we could be and that some of the coaching doesn't seem to be working (see set piece goals conceded)

I'd have to question that Most believe that in full. Cooper hit nail on the head when he said we concede too many fouls giving away set pieces which is the fundamental reason we concede too many goals from them. Some of them (v Liverpool and Brentford recently spring to mind) were very avoidable and soft free kicks.  I think also it has to be acknowledged some of the coaching has been outstanding. Development of Jonno, but especially the massive amount of time put in to improve Taiwo with his hold up play. 

Tactically,  I think with the benefit of hindsight there are some decisions and subs/timing of subs He might change, but still got more right than wrong. 

The only time an experienced asst manager may have had a word to good effect is the first part of season pre Villa home, when we tried to attack teams that in all honesty had better players and obviously much more settled teams. We lucked out v West Ham home, but got outgunned v Fulham.and Bournemouth -despite taking leads in both. Since being more pragmatic (which in itself brought out lots of whingers over time) we have accumulated points at a rate which over a whole season keeps you up easily. That horrible run recently was not tactics it was injuries and individual errors.

I maintain  IF we stay up  Steve Cooper has performed a minor miracle, ably assisted by Marinakis investment to try and bridge a 23 year wide chasm (even bigger chasm than I and most others expected and we knew it would be big). Cooper now has Premier league experience, so for me that ship has sailed now in terms of bringing in experienced assistant. (Harry Redknapp-really? Rather appoint Rosie his dog)If these tactically astute geniuses are out there, why are they not in jobs already?

2 games left and it's in our own hands-everyone would have taken that in August surely?

I mostly agree with the above and 100% want to keep Steve for as long as possible.

As such I see this as an opportunity to allow Steve to stay on whilst the ownership still feeling like they're making improvements and get any doubters back onside. Whether a new coach has an impact or not (and at set pieces there is definitely room for impact), if it's just a PR exercise to allow Cooper to stay on then surely everyone's a winner.

It is disappointing with our height that we don't have more impact on set pieces. Three massive CBs plus Yates and Taiwo must be intimidating for defences and it doesn't feel like we've created loads and likewise on defence against the bigger teams we've struggled in the same area. Definitely an area we could grow in.

There's clearly a lot that we can improve on, regardless of all the noise about signings, injuries etc etc. Especially defensively. I'm delighted that coops is being labelled at being world class at man management..... it's a huge positive and we should fight to keep him based on that. But, we need to be far more professional. 

There are major issues with mentality (timings of when we concede), where we play on the pitch (camped in our own half - which leads to a lot of free kicks in dangerous areas for obvious reasons as well as the more noticeable, high profile mistakes we make a lot of), defensive organisation at set pieces, our ability to keep hold of the ball to take the pressure off. Yes, coops has done well, but we need to improve significantly and I think top quality coaching would make a big difference in all of those aspects. Or if we already have the said top quality coaching then it's all on the players but I don't believe that to be the case personally.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

The problem with Cooper is that he is learning as he goes along. Im sure he would admit himself he has made mistakes and would do things differently again. I truly hope he gets the opportunity next season to show us all what he can do.

The early part of the season when he tried to play 352 as last season but with unsuitable personnel was a classic example. Plenty other times too, Everton at home with 3 defensive midfielders, Newcastle the next game he goes attacking when the pragmatic move would have been to hang on for a point.

Hindsight is wonderful but all we are saying is wouldn't it have been useful to have an assistant alongside him who had been there and seen it all before to have a word in his ear. Just maybe that same person may also have said in January that a couple of players from Newcastle were the exact opposite of what we needed and saved the owner £24m.

[McDurban]

The positive is that 352 is delivering points now.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

The positive is that 352 is delivering points now.

Back in August & September he was trying 352 with Worrall Cook and Mckenna at the back. It was never going to work at this level.

[wassy04]

The positive is that 352 is delivering points now.

Back in August & September he was trying 352 with Worrall Cook and Mckenna at the back. It was never going to work at this level.

Also the big change is that he's switched from 2 up front to dropping more into central midfield behind Taiwo. This is what we suggested earlier in the year that could make it work.

Obviously having Niakhate and Felipe helps too! And Danilo covers a lot in midfield too.

[wassy04]

Out of interest, what’s wrong with the current setup?

Most believe that we aren't as tactically astute as we could be and that some of the coaching doesn't seem to be working (see set piece goals conceded)

I'd have to question that Most believe that in full. Cooper hit nail on the head when he said we concede too many fouls giving away set pieces which is the fundamental reason we concede too many goals from them. Some of them (v Liverpool and Brentford recently spring to mind) were very avoidable and soft free kicks.  I think also it has to be acknowledged some of the coaching has been outstanding. Development of Jonno, but especially the massive amount of time put in to improve Taiwo with his hold up play. 

Tactically,  I think with the benefit of hindsight there are some decisions and subs/timing of subs He might change, but still got more right than wrong. 

The only time an experienced asst manager may have had a word to good effect is the first part of season pre Villa home, when we tried to attack teams that in all honesty had better players and obviously much more settled teams. We lucked out v West Ham home, but got outgunned v Fulham.and Bournemouth -despite taking leads in both. Since being more pragmatic (which in itself brought out lots of whingers over time) we have accumulated points at a rate which over a whole season keeps you up easily. That horrible run recently was not tactics it was injuries and individual errors.

I maintain  IF we stay up  Steve Cooper has performed a minor miracle, ably assisted by Marinakis investment to try and bridge a 23 year wide chasm (even bigger chasm than I and most others expected and we knew it would be big). Cooper now has Premier league experience, so for me that ship has sailed now in terms of bringing in experienced assistant. (Harry Redknapp-really? Rather appoint Rosie his dog)If these tactically astute geniuses are out there, why are they not in jobs already?

2 games left and it's in our own hands-everyone would have taken that in August surely?

I mostly agree with the above and 100% want to keep Steve for as long as possible.

As such I see this as an opportunity to allow Steve to stay on whilst the ownership still feeling like they're making improvements and get any doubters back onside. Whether a new coach has an impact or not (and at set pieces there is definitely room for impact), if it's just a PR exercise to allow Cooper to stay on then surely everyone's a winner.

It is disappointing with our height that we don't have more impact on set pieces. Three massive CBs plus Yates and Taiwo must be intimidating for defences and it doesn't feel like we've created loads and likewise on defence against the bigger teams we've struggled in the same area. Definitely an area we could grow in.

There's clearly a lot that we can improve on, regardless of all the noise about signings, injuries etc etc. Especially defensively. I'm delighted that coops is being labelled at being world class at man management..... it's a huge positive and we should fight to keep him based on that. But, we need to be far more professional. 

There are major issues with mentality (timings of when we concede), where we play on the pitch (camped in our own half - which leads to a lot of free kicks in dangerous areas for obvious reasons as well as the more noticeable, high profile mistakes we make a lot of), defensive organisation at set pieces, our ability to keep hold of the ball to take the pressure off. Yes, coops has done well, but we need to improve significantly and I think top quality coaching would make a big difference in all of those aspects. Or if we already have the said top quality coaching then it's all on the players but I don't believe that to be the case personally.

I do think you're overestimating how much of an impact an assistant coach is going to have. These are premier league footballers, they've been around top coaches their whole career. Anyone really good would be a head coach in their own right already. I think it's more about the players settling into a new country and challenging league, which usually takes a season before you see the full level they can reach.

Someone specifically adept at set pieces though would be an interesting addition and something that most clubs at the top already have.

[Paplane]

There was too much reliance on Brennan earlier on in the season. It was like playing with 10 men in away games. Cooper seems to have learned this now, hence him being benched these last 2 away games.

[Username]

The problem with Cooper is that he is learning as he goes along. Im sure he would admit himself he has made mistakes and would do things differently again. I truly hope he gets the opportunity next season to show us all what he can do.

The early part of the season when he tried to play 352 as last season but with unsuitable personnel was a classic example. Plenty other times too, Everton at home with 3 defensive midfielders, Newcastle the next game he goes attacking when the pragmatic move would have been to hang on for a point.

Hindsight is wonderful but all we are saying is wouldn't it have been useful to have an assistant alongside him who had been there and seen it all before to have a word in his ear. Just maybe that same person may also have said in January that a couple of players from Newcastle were the exact opposite of what we needed and saved the owner £24m.

But surely there are instances where a contrary opinion would have also had a negative impact?

This is the same management setup that took us on an incredible run from October (was it?) until January?

As for the signings then that’s way beyond the remit of an assistant coach / manager.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

I simply mean sage words of advice and a shoulder to lean on, someone experienced to bounce ideas off. Not somebody with power to overrule. Different dynamic to the director of football who is effectively the head coach’s boss.

The current dynamic has worked well at times but has on occasion seemed naive.

Yes Wassy a specific tactics coach may work, not sure on that point. Someone to teach our defence not to treat an incoming free kick or corner like a live hand grenade would be nice though.

[tugger2018]

We definetly need to get better physios in far too many injuries happening
and we also could do with a super fitness coach too many of our players are only good for an hour not 90 minutes maybe a very good hard pre season required
Looking at reidy and coops they don’t look in great shape themselves