@tonyjspencer.bsky.social
Thanks! I was wondering if it was referring to press baiting / artificial transitions. Well I would not be opposed to seeing some half transitions tomorrow. Don’t think we even got a one tenth transition in the NLD.
November 25, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Thanks! I was wondering if it was referring to press baiting / artificial transitions. Well I would not be opposed to seeing some half transitions tomorrow. Don’t think we even got a one tenth transition in the NLD.
Any idea what’s a half transition is? Not sure I’ve heard that term before.
November 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Any idea what’s a half transition is? Not sure I’ve heard that term before.
Not wanting to pile on but isn’t that 18th?
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Not wanting to pile on but isn’t that 18th?
Also Wolves at home.
November 7, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Also Wolves at home.
I was looking at opposition ppda stats today and comparing those to our performances in each game. Eep!
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I was looking at opposition ppda stats today and comparing those to our performances in each game. Eep!
He’s so good, by far my favourite commentator. He doesn’t impose his views, just explains what’s happening with a lot of great insight.
November 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
He’s so good, by far my favourite commentator. He doesn’t impose his views, just explains what’s happening with a lot of great insight.
The main issue as far as I saw it yesterday is that none of the players could cope with the Chelsea press and that resulted in so many hopeful long balls in the direction of RKM and Kudus.
November 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
The main issue as far as I saw it yesterday is that none of the players could cope with the Chelsea press and that resulted in so many hopeful long balls in the direction of RKM and Kudus.
That’s fair, admittedly I just read the Ali Gold article and didn’t watch the video. Still, I haven’t seen much more of a plan than that in the intervening weeks. I was encouraged by the recent formation change but it didn’t help at all yesterday.
November 2, 2025 at 10:02 AM
That’s fair, admittedly I just read the Ali Gold article and didn’t watch the video. Still, I haven’t seen much more of a plan than that in the intervening weeks. I was encouraged by the recent formation change but it didn’t help at all yesterday.
In terms of attacking patterns this quote from Xavi’s first training session stood out and has stayed with me. At the time I was thinking: that’s it? The plan is do whatever you want? Unfortunately there has not been a lot of evidence since then to suggest there’s much more to it.
November 2, 2025 at 8:24 AM
In terms of attacking patterns this quote from Xavi’s first training session stood out and has stayed with me. At the time I was thinking: that’s it? The plan is do whatever you want? Unfortunately there has not been a lot of evidence since then to suggest there’s much more to it.
I think it’s the same shape as the last two games. Out of possession Bergvall is on the left (4-4-2). In possession Bergvall comes inside and Spence pushes up to provide width on the left (3-2-4-1).
November 1, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I think it’s the same shape as the last two games. Out of possession Bergvall is on the left (4-4-2). In possession Bergvall comes inside and Spence pushes up to provide width on the left (3-2-4-1).
The down side of this new shape is that you sacrifice a winger as the width is provided by the fullback on the left. I like the idea of Udogie playing that role though.
October 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The down side of this new shape is that you sacrifice a winger as the width is provided by the fullback on the left. I like the idea of Udogie playing that role though.
I think Kudus will be good in that system too, either on the right or as the 10. But last night it seemed like that shape wasn’t maintained after the substitutions and some fluidity was lost. I’d need to re-watch to be sure of that though.
October 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I think Kudus will be good in that system too, either on the right or as the 10. But last night it seemed like that shape wasn’t maintained after the substitutions and some fluidity was lost. I’d need to re-watch to be sure of that though.
I don’t think it’s the personnel so much as the change of in-possession shape we’ve seen the last two games. In possession the person playing on the left comes inside and Djed moves up to provide the width. It’s almost like playing with two 10s and provides a lot more options to progress centrally.
October 30, 2025 at 8:41 AM
I don’t think it’s the personnel so much as the change of in-possession shape we’ve seen the last two games. In possession the person playing on the left comes inside and Djed moves up to provide the width. It’s almost like playing with two 10s and provides a lot more options to progress centrally.
Likewise. There has been a lot more central progression in these last two games which makes such a big difference. Still trying to decide how I feel about Spence providing width on the left but the dual 10s (Bergvall/Xavi) definitely provide more threat. If nothing else it’s a lot better to watch.
October 29, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Likewise. There has been a lot more central progression in these last two games which makes such a big difference. Still trying to decide how I feel about Spence providing width on the left but the dual 10s (Bergvall/Xavi) definitely provide more threat. If nothing else it’s a lot better to watch.
Getting the ball back in play quickly led to injuries? That’s a new one.
October 29, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Getting the ball back in play quickly led to injuries? That’s a new one.
No we’re misunderstanding each other. It’s the lack of context that is so annoying not your statement. I was just trying to say that in response to people throwing out the 17th line without any context, you could equally state won the EL and qualified for the CL.
October 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM
No we’re misunderstanding each other. It’s the lack of context that is so annoying not your statement. I was just trying to say that in response to people throwing out the 17th line without any context, you could equally state won the EL and qualified for the CL.
So annoying. An equally no-context view in response is: won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League.
October 27, 2025 at 6:24 AM
So annoying. An equally no-context view in response is: won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League.
Also have to give some credit to TF for trying something different in the front third by bringing Kudus central and playing Johnson. The rotations in that area are something we haven’t seen much of so far and are much less predictable than recent games.
October 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Also have to give some credit to TF for trying something different in the front third by bringing Kudus central and playing Johnson. The rotations in that area are something we haven’t seen much of so far and are much less predictable than recent games.
I think he tried to address it here Hal. Not sure how accurate this Football London transcription is but the answer seems to be that they’re both being selected to provide defensive solidity until everything starts clicking. I would probably counter by saying it’s hindering that development.
October 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I think he tried to address it here Hal. Not sure how accurate this Football London transcription is but the answer seems to be that they’re both being selected to provide defensive solidity until everything starts clicking. I would probably counter by saying it’s hindering that development.
Well either way, let’s hope Simons kills it this evening.
October 22, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Well either way, let’s hope Simons kills it this evening.
This is the quote. The journalist made the comparison and TF agreed with it. As I said before it felt a bit harsh given the current system/tactics are not doing him any favours.
October 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM
This is the quote. The journalist made the comparison and TF agreed with it. As I said before it felt a bit harsh given the current system/tactics are not doing him any favours.