Given the injuries, I’d be interested to test Aaronson as an 8 in a midfield 3. Might be a doomed experiment, but I feel like the role could suit his (limited) skillset. Feel like we’ll need energy in midfield for this game, and Piroe at CAM could just end up being a passenger

You almost can’t blame the PL clubs - why would you vote for measures that increase competiveness and your chances of being relegated? But seems blindingly obvious that the power should be taken out of clubs hands to decide on matters where they can’t act impartially

Yes - basically the post-Bielsa succession planning (or lack of) is a perfect example of this. Still don’t agree with his sacking but there was at least a foundation there to pick up and work with. But what we saw was the chaos that comes when a new manager doesn’t align with the incumbents strategy

Very true. Klopp having to be (apparently) convinced by Liverpool’s data team that Salah was a better pick over Brandt is an example of where that best idea wins approach can work. Like you say though, it’s whether the owners are willing to accept that approach with DF

Great thread. My concern if there is a culture clash between DF and the technical department is that, as a promoted team in the PL, there’s no scope to see how things go. If we’re going to stand a chance of survival everyone in the backroom team needs to be on board with the organisational strategy

Lots and lots of work to do just to compete for 17th. Will be interesting to see if the owners look at lessons learnt from
back to back seasons of all champ teams being immediately relagated…