Il Pirata

At least Farke changed things today and tried something different. I think for the remainder of the season we may see the diamond or 3-5-2 used. In a diamond, I think Rupp, Vrancic, Buendia and Mclean could work very well.

He's been superb since coming back into the side. Proved a lot of people wrong. Can still improve as well.

I know I can avoid clicking the thread, but seriously, this obsession with Ipswich's demise is frankly embarrassing. Especially at the moment, and straight after our own side loses.

Another powder puff away performance. Weak, both physically and mentally. Too many of our players believe their own hype. Look at Sheff Utd today, Basham, Fleck, Sharp.. been there in League one. Don't take anything for granted, masking any flaws in their ability through relentless mental fortitude and work rate. So, so impressive. Only Corona can save us now....

Switched to a diamond. Decent decision from Farke I think. Not sure about Buendia right side though! Come on Yellows!!

No but he'd offer a threat in possession which may just result in getting the ball forward quicker! You'll also find that the opposition tend to give better ball players more space, for fear of the ball being knocked past them on the press. Playing defensive isn't working at all. So try something else, which for us is possession based attacking. We have the players for that.

Sheff Utd went to extra time too. It's nothing to do with that, the players out at the moment cannot deal with press, intensity, and directness. Cantwell is the biggest example. Really nice on the ball when the opposition gives him time, but when pressed he's like bambi on ice with the ball. He isn't quick enough in very tight situations. Neither is Tettey or Mclean. Buendia is, but is completely disconnected. As for Duda.. I don't know what to say.

This is why I can't see the point in playing Tettey and Mclean at CDM. We try to be defensive and solid, but still get bullied and dominated. Get Vrancic on to ping some accurate balls from deep. Push Kenny up to support Pukki and hold the ball up. Get Cantwell off for Rupp.

Yep, I see it that way too. Crazy really. The biggest dilemma is whether the season is postponed or cancelled. With a quarter of the season remaining, there is no way the EPL could cancel the season and enforce relegation by confirming final positions as currently stands. Postponement causes all sorts of scheduling problems, therefore cancellation of this season is probably preferable. My guess is the EPL are praying they can get as close as possible to the end of the season, making cancellation more acceptable, assuming things are a bit more clear cut. No issues with the champions, Liverpool, but relegation is shaping up to be a last day battle between quite a few teams. Big problem! Interesting and unprecedented times ahead.

Jesus.. you make it sound like Armageddon! I think its been blown out of all reasonable proportion. The media's reporting of it is grossly irresponsible, and even if the virus doesn't directly affect us in terms of infection, the consequence of the media circus surrounding it will. I miss Brexit.

Yes he is, but not to the degree that some are making out. Kenny is industrious and hardworking, but not particularly strong in the tackle and does also get caught in possession, like Mario. When Kenny was moved further forward I thought he looked better. Everton away he was brilliant. Mario isn't a defensive player, but does suit that deeper position. The issue is, we don't have a good enough defensive midfielder to partner him. As mentioned before, failing to upgrade Tettey has cost Vrancic more game time IMO. Tettey's inadequacies are less obvious with Kenny next to him. We all have favourites, and I don't hide for one minute that Vrancic is very far from being a complete player. But he can do special things and is very creative. He's a bit of an enigma, thus making it hard for Farke to feel confident picking him, but he does have that habit of a creating or scoring a goal from no where. As I said, that spurs performance was pretty special from him.

Does he? I've never thought about Kenny at all. I agree he seems to have some good leadership qualities, but on the pitch and in media interviews he never seems "arrogant and loudmouthed" to me, quite the opposite in fact.

So despite being rooted to the bottom of the league, Kenny Mclean is good enough? For the record, if Farke didn't think Vrancic was good enough for the PL he wouldn't have played him this season at all. The fact he has, albeit sparingly, suggests that isn't Farke's belief. I must have dreamt that first half display at home to Spurs. If your not good enough, you don't impress like that.

Need to be tighter, but results in being bottom of the league... If it was working with Tettey and Mclean fair enough, but the results are hardly supporting that, are they?!

Stats can be interpreted in many ways, are not dynamic enough to truly analyse a players performance. One quick google search and the Independents match rating for Vrancic; Mario Vrancic – 7 Supported Todd Cantwell and Buendia’s attacking ventures admirably. Far from the worst player, in fact only one player was rated higher. Get my point?

Again, couldn't disagree more. At times Vrancic was superb, and had those in front of him took their chances he'd have been lauded. His defensive work was apparently abysmal, and proves why Mclean is better. Yet we only conceded one goal from a set piece, whilst we ought to have scored 2 or 3 ourselves. Mclean comes on with fresh legs and is suddenly streets ahead of Vrancic. I thought we looked just as likely to concede and much less likely to score, even though the goal did come!

It just seems strange that Tettey and Mclean are kept out by Vrancic and Trybull in the championship, yet the tables turned at a higher level in the EPL. Playing Tettey and Mclean is the so called 'safer' option, which is negative IMO. Even though I understand why Farke does it.

Yep, agreed. I prefer Vrancic, but do rate Mclean. As I've said, I like him behind Pukki with the guile of Buendia and Rupp. The biggest issue surrounding it all is Tettey. Well, not so much Tettey, but the failure to upgrade on him. Had we found that mid twenties, powerful, athletic, EPL standard defensive midfielder, I think Vrancic would be a regular alongside him.

You can pick any number of faults from that goal. Krul too hesitant, for example. As for the last line, you could equally argue Mcleans creativity weakness is an issue in the PL.

Ah, alas, some sense! To win games at this level you need something special. Special is what Vrancic can give you. Sure there is a defensive trade off, but a midfield with Tettey and Mclean over the likes of Vrancic and Trybull is negative and smacks of damage limitation. Vrancic can do things others cannot, Tettey and Mclean may give you consistent 7 out 10s, but that's rarely enough to win games at this level. I actually think Kenny was more effective higher up the pitch in any case.

I genuinely thought at times he looked quality. The last 15 minutes of the first half I witnessed so beautiful interplay between Vrancic, Trybull, Buendia and Rupp. Vrancic created three or four near goal scoring opportunities with clever passes - and whipped a FK just over. Whilst on the pitch we conceded just one goal, which came from a set piece. Mclean came on and did well, but I didn't see an obvious improvement. Once Tettey was on to partner him we lacked any real incision or penetration. Mclean did drive forward, but along with Tettey it was all a bit one dimensional and predictable, although it did still cause positive moments. Those little 5-10 yard passes Vrancic and Trybull can play between the lines often goes unnoticed, but they are very effective moving possession higher up the pitch in central positions. Mclean and Tettey more often play safer options out wide or backwards. That's due to a limitation in their ability under pressure and in tight areas. I guess I just like watching beautiful football....

Honestly, this sort of comment boils my ****. Sure Mario has defensive deficiencies, but for a spell from 30 mins to 65 mins, his attacking and link up play was first class and much better than any of the other midfielders. How on earth anyone can say he was the worst player by a mile is beyond me. I seriously question the ability of a few on here to interpret and analyse players performances.

Cantwell looking **** again

Hope that's just cramp!

Since Tettey and Mclean have been partnered, we've been penned in.