[Baggiebob(BBB)]

None of our centre defenders have much pace Drewks. It’s only our left backs that do. Personally I don’t mind us defending deep, it does the job and stops pace in behind exposing Bartley and Hegazi. The issue with defending deep comes after winning the ball. Under Pulis it would be hoof or a couple of rushed passes and then hoof. The team needs to learn to keep their composure and pass their way out from the back with movement from the midfielders to create passing lanes to bring the ball forward. Hopefully Graeme Jones can help with that.

Regarding playing with a back 3, I said the other day I’d only like to see us play it in a fluid system. So in possession Dawson tucks in from right back whilst Gibbs or Townsend moves high up the pitch from left back to left wing. Then out of possession Gibbs or Townsend drops back to left back and the three centre backs all move across to the right to create a normal back four. That would mean Phillips not having to defend as a full back, where he’ll struggle, whilst being able to attack like a wing-back/winger when we have possession. Belgium did something similar against Brazil (opposite side though) so Graeme Jones again could point Big Dave in that direction if we have no right back.

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Nyom has now departed.

https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2018/august/n...loan-move/

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Schalke have signed left back Hamza Mendyl from Lille. That means Gibbs won’t be going there.

 If Nyom - slow coach - has departed, then they must have lined up a replacement - I hope!