PaulC

I think we'll be ok. Hull are much worse than us and January may be too late for Sunderland. A new manager is suppose to give them a lift but that 4-0 defeat at Swansea will crush them.

For who? Are there any better alternatives. We won't know while they aren't being given a chance. Personally I would give Tonev a go instead of Weimann, all of the players expect Clark (probably the worst) last season who were handed new improved contracts have been poor including Andi; Tonev was making some good runs when he came on against Spurs, just needs to stop shooting So did Weimann all game and this idea he's not performing because of his new contract is a falicy because nobody tries harder than him.

I hope not and i hope Lambert is not going to be so stubborn to keep persisting with him if hes not up to it. If he doesn't improve then cut your loses and sell him like he did with Holman.

Good post. Been saying this for quite some time that the balance is wrong in midfield. I also think we're a little too lightweight as well and need a bit more physicality. I am not sure that is it though. Any opposing holding midfielder(s) really don't have much to worry about aside from our forwards running into their space. Imagine a holtby type player instead of KEA for example giving opposing midfielders something to worry about. We make their job very easy as they can sit in front of their back 4 and see all 3 of our midfield in front of them. With an intelligent AM in there it would mean these players getting dragged around or at least having their attention divided more than it currently is. Right now we rely far too much on the rapid attacks of our front three in transition and our midfield trio are just in there for hard work which i don't think suits westwoods passing game or work off the ball. That is what i think anyhow. Good post, i very much agree. There is a place for Westwood in the team playing the Carrick role but I'd prefer Delph playing a more advance role. he makes lots of runs from deep positions beating players. It seems that each season we have to have players to pick on. this season its Weimann and Westwood. I see their value in the team!

They don't. many are honest and say "We were poor" when that's the truth. Seems to me that provides a better basis for a grown-up discussion with the players about how to improve things. I'd like Lambert to have such a discussion with his defence about how to stop letting in stupid soft goals. Yes his after match interviews are pretty awful but i rate him as a manager.

Yes we just have pockets of play. We give the ball away far too often. Hopefully that area of our game will improve.

Yes he can tackle but he offers nothing on the ball. That's the problem and why we need to look at other options. He has the highest PSR of any of our midfielders also. Offers no less on the ball then Westwood. But that's a meaningless stat.

yes and the problem is the pressure will be on us when we do meet the teams around or below us. Big game next week because a defeat will put a dampener on our start to the season and put more pressure on games against lesser sides. We cant just let Everton have 65% possession.

Yes he can tackle but he offers nothing on the ball. That's the problem and why we need to look at other options.

Good job Paul Lambert didnt describe him as that

Obviously Lambert doesnt agree else he would have taken Westwood off. I was beginning to think i was alone in thinking Westwood was ok Sunday and KEA was the worst of our midfielders but Matt Kendrick in his ratings says the same.

Yes at this moment in time i would agree with you.

To be fair i would must rather have seen him play instead of Kozak.

yes one in 6 compared to about 1 in 2 when Bent joined us.

On the right wing. It could cause us quite a bit of harm when you consider all the work Weimann does up and down the pitch, covering the fullback.

Bent did very well for us when he first came to the club and had Downing and Young giving him good service. I wont knock Bent because he has a proven track record. Kozak can't be compared to him. As yet all he has show is a good workrate.

He was good first half when given support from the midfield but 2nd half he was ripped apart by Townsend.

disagree, sylla instead of KEA.Westwood is the only playmaker we have. KEA keeps giving the ball away

For who? Are there any better alternatives.

He's not playing as a number 10. Perhaps if he did play off Benteke he might do better. In fact his best game this season was when he played down the middle against Man City. If he can do that with Kozak, just think wha he could do with Benteke. A rethink is needed Lambert!

Yes maybe or play Bacuna on the right side of a back 3 with Lowton and Luna as wing backs.

Yes ball retention this season has clearly become a big issue. We surrender possession at home far too easily.

No he didn't but his attempts were so far wide it was just ridiculous. he hit the side-netting with one of his attempts and the left foot volley he hit in the first half wasn't a bad attempt. Also if Tonev had crossed it better then Weimann was in for a goal. Every week we all say how crap Weimann has played but then you think of the winner against City and the run that gave us the free-kick in the same game. The open goal he created for Agbonlahor against Norwich. We'd be on 7 pts now and deep in trouble without him. I hope we stick with him. What about the amount of misses at Chelsea? What about yesterday when Luna put one on a plate for him? Which open goal did he create for Agbonlahor? Weimann has been awful this season and a few little highlights doesn't hide that for me. The 2nd half at Norwich. He hasnt been at his best I agree but he's not alone. At least you know he's going to run his socks off. Late on yesterday he ran back and tackled Townsend and then got fouled. His attitude can never be faulted! Drop him and pick Tonev you'd notice what we loose.

Industry yes but we'd probably give the ball away a lot. Bacuna has been very good but i also think we miss Lowton's creativity when he was at his best.

No he didn't but his attempts were so far wide it was just ridiculous. he hit the side-netting with one of his attempts and the left foot volley he hit in the first half wasn't a bad attempt. Also if Tonev had crossed it better then Weimann was in for a goal. Every week we all say how crap Weimann has played but then you think of the winner against City and the run that gave us the free-kick in the same game. The open goal he created for Agbonlahor against Norwich. We'd be on 7 pts now and deep in trouble without him. I hope we stick with him.