Nuno Espirito Santo

[Marinakis Red]

The Nuno vs Cooper thing is irrelevant now because what’s done is done.

However which tactics would currently have us with more points is relevant. Could we have played a back 5 for the last 7 games, packed the midfield, had 20% possession, admittedly been bored to tears but have more than 7 points on the board?
Not sure is my answer. There is another relevant point too in which the players themselves were apparently getting frustrated with the ultra cautious approach. Luton have also showed it doesn’t have to be that way. However we simply have to be tighter at the back.

I can answer, on the form that we had under Cooper in ahead of these 7 games, it looked like a definite no to me Sal.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Im thinking the same MR, just putting it out there.
My point was the low block worked to an extent last season.
This season, if we open our eyes, there was more going wrong than just the tactics in Cooper’s last few games.

Still think our current team may be better suited to a back 3. The problem is someone needs to be sacrificed for the extra defender, probably CHO or Elanga. Something has to give though.

[optimistic_red]

Personally I like that Nuno is very positive.
4231
He is selecting the strongest team available, and making positive substitutions during the game.

I'm not convinced a back3 makes us any more secure at the back or stops individual errors.

[Marco Polo]

Seeing us play well and competing is brilliant as we could beat anyone on our day. It’s going to make it even more awful if we go down because of bad financial management - it’ll be so frustrating. Got high hopes for a legal victory and another year in the premier league!

[zicorice]

It's all about perspective. A couple of cracking results a few more goals scored and we are playing "more attractive attacking football" instead of a low block. I can't lie, I was sucked in too.

Turns out it's bullsh1t at least in part.

An interesting article on Sky Sports on line analysed our low block. Now I'm not too big on stats as they only tell a part of the story. However, it was interesting that we have the deepest average starting position in the league when gaining possession-not a huge surprise- but that it has got significantly deeper since Nuno came in - which did surprise me. So we have an even lower low block it seems.

Of course other factors have changed, like creating chances. Plus I can't help thinking a "I need to impress the new manager" bounce also occurred. I don't actually put any blame on a manager when players show an inability to concentrate on their job and make costly individual errors as has happened all season. This certainly isnt meant to be a Cooper vs Nuno post (though I think it's far too early to judge Nuno, so far it's a bit meh).

Another statistic was we have lost 3-2 7 times in  the previous 4 seasons. We are now up to 6 in 20 odd games. Thats only going to end one way unfortunately.

As I said this time last season, I console myself with the numerous positives of playing in Championship next season should the worst happen. Ie. No tourists, probably winning more often, absence of razzmatazz bullsh1t, proper away allocations, proper supporters, saturday 3pm kos more often than not. 

Obviously don't want us to go down, but Premier league, refs and our sh1te defending (coupled with low block) might put paid to our stint in the big league unfortunately.

[JollyLolly]

Don't worry Zico we will bounce straight back up if we do indeed fail to avoid relegation either by final standings or point deduction!

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Whatever happens I have seen and heard enough of Nuno to want him to stay around for a long time.

[Marinakis Red]

Personally I like that Nuno is very positive.
4231
He is selecting the strongest team available, and making positive substitutions during the game.

I'm not convinced a back3 makes us any more secure at the back or stops individual errors.

Neither do I, most of the goals were conceding are from set plays, we're not getting ripped open frequently and we shedding loads of goals. If we sort the set pieces out we will be absolutely fine. 

Out of the last goals we have conceded in the prem the 6 out of the 9 have been from set pieces and definitely preventable.

[zicorice]

Personally I like that Nuno is very positive.
4231
He is selecting the strongest team available, and making positive substitutions during the game.

I'm not convinced a back3 makes us any more secure at the back or stops individual errors.

Neither do I, most of the goals were conceding are from set plays, we're not getting ripped open frequently and we shedding loads of goals. If we sort the set pieces out we will be absolutely fine. 

Out of the last goals we have conceded in the prem the 6 out of the 9 have been from set pieces and definitely preventable.

That's becoming my concern, with games running out if needs to change to when. Ideally before Ward-Prowse comes to town. 

If Felipe has fully recovered from last Wednesday I'd start him. Boly too?

[stefanduma]

Has Nuno continued with the recently appointed set-piece coach or does he want another?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Has Nuno continued with the recently appointed set-piece coach or does he want another?

Dunno but hopefully he wants another because I have seen zero improvement since he arrived (the set piece coach not Nuno).

[Jacksbadhobbits]

Has Nuno continued with the recently appointed set-piece coach or does he want another?

Dunno but hopefully he wants another because I have seen zero improvement since he arrived (the set piece coach not Nuno).

Very little if anything has improved. We have played the same most of the season with the same outcome. If you have to apportion responsibility for this more needs to be given to Cooper because he recruited more of the current players. However most must be with the recruitment team who have wasted an incredible amount of money. The goal keeper situation sums it up the best but not just. Who thought Montiel improves us or was even needed. Tavares the same.