The Matt Grimes problem?

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

So if grimes was dropped who would replace him and would this bring a change in formation and tempo of play ?

 

[petch86]

Sentiment has no place if we want to stay up. Otherwise, we’re goners. Strangely Hull have done a better job adapting to the PL than us. Think it’s a combination of players not adapting to the step up as well as Frank’s game plans not working for this level.

Totally agree no point keeping players in the team because they've done well in the championship for us. Sunderland dropped their captain. Ipswich this season dropped their captain.

I also think we've been screwed over with our first 3 fixtures. Hull had a lackluster man united at home and after winning that a free hit on us. All they cared about was not loosing. Now it looks like we'll be zero points after 3 games then pressure goes up even more

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Totally agree no point keeping players in the team because they've done well in the championship for us. Sunderland dropped their captain. Ipswich this season dropped their captain.

I also think we've been screwed over with our first 3 fixtures. Hull had a lackluster man united at home and after winning that a free hit on us. All they cared about was not loosing. Now it looks like we'll be zero points after 3 games then pressure goes up even more

We have not been ruthless enough like Sunderland or even Ipswich.

Arsenal and Hull so far, predominantly our Championship team with a couple of new starters.

We’ve spent well over £100m and not really sure for what at the moment in terms of helping us with the step up.

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

He woukdnt be class act in the championship anymore , time is catching up with him. We carried him at times last season with an incredible goal scoring team around him.

He's 31 not 41

 

[jto123]

So if grimes was dropped who would replace him and would this bring a change in formation and tempo of play ?

I think move away from being a possession team and go more direct. Hamer as a straight replacement I would consider, despite what others say I think there is concern about Hamer’s fitness

 

[CCFCBat]

What crumbs of hope do u see that majes u think we will stay up??

There is 36 games to go, that’s the crumb

 

[PVA]

I thought Grimes was quite good in the first half.

Less so in the second.

He absolutely shouldn't be on set pieces though.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

I like Grimes and in the right set up, he’s a huge player as we saw last year.

To caveat that however I worry he’s not suited for the type of football I think we will need to play in this dogfight this season.

Need to move the ball faster and imo, we will struggle with that when consistently trying to get Grimes on the ball.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

I like Grimes and in the right set up, he’s a huge player as we saw last year.

To caveat that however I worry he’s not suited for the type of football I think we will need to play in this dogfight this season.

Need to move the ball faster and imo, we will struggle with that when consistently trying to get Grimes on the ball.

I was surprised at Arsenal we tried to play what we did last year.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

I was surprised at Arsenal we tried to play what we did last year.

Lampard needs to learn quickly that you have to adapt to what the other team is doing in this league. We can’t just go out every game and try and play ‘our way’. It makes us so predictable and the opposing managers and players are too good to not take advantage of it.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Lampard needs to learn quickly that you have to adapt to what the other team is doing in this league. We can’t just go out every game and try and play ‘our way’. It makes us so predictable and the opposing managers and players are too good to not take advantage of it.

golden opportunity missed today. I think our first goal will be Brighton but the longer we don’t get the monkey off our back the more pressure it’s gonna become

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Lampard needs to learn quickly that you have to adapt to what the other team is doing in this league. We can’t just go out every game and try and play ‘our way’. It makes us so predictable and the opposing managers and players are too good to not take advantage of it.

In the championship we could impose our game on other teams as we were one of the big fish in the small pond.

Now we are a small fish, we have to adapt like you say to what other teams will do to us. Big moment for Lampard as a manager

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

Its potentially a problem , we lose a man in midfield because he wants to play inbetween the centre halves all game

True but Caleb was doing the same - it’s a coaching thing

We’d be better off sacrificing a midfielder and playing 3 at the back, 3 / 5 in midfield and then either 1 and 1 or 2 up top

Leeds had a lot of success with it when they first came up

 

[Londonccfcfan]

We have no x factor player

I’ve been saying that for a while and been ridiculed.

Not just you! Alot have..it's not rocket science. Lampard surely sees it.

 

[PVA]

True but Caleb was doing the same - it’s a coaching thing

And Torp spent most of the game between the CBs v Plymouth too. Definitely a tactical thing rather than specific to Grimes.

 

[Londonccfcfan]

The biggest worry for me ! Once Grimes id dropped. I dont see a leader on the pitch!.

The lack of leadership when we went a goal down was huge concern. The sense of panic from Rushworth and even Amenda lost his cool cool amongst others.

Possibly Onyeka when he's back is the only leader I see.

 

[eyesee]

no idea how grimes stayed on the pitch today. he even looked like he was signalling to go off at one point.
if hamer is subbed on for him today we get a different result.

no longer the first name on the team sheet for me.

 

[covboy9]

He’s simply not upto it at this level

 

[SkyblueTexan]

I think move away from being a possession team and go more direct. Hamer as a straight replacement I would consider, despite what others say I think there is concern about Hamer’s fitness

Hamer may not be the answer. Looks way out of shape and not able to drive us forward. Might need more signings or loans before the window shuts.

Teams that don’t pick up at least 4 points from the first 5 games get relegated 88% of the time. Although we’re only 2 games in, we’ve got to realize that we’re in deep trouble and need to figure out a solution fast.

Onyeka was a big miss today and subbing off Yirenki was a mistake. Then subbing off both Rudoni and EMC seemed to negate any threats we had.

 

[Domo]

Lost count of the times Grimes had the ball the edge of the box and just took the easy option of passing sideways or backwards.
Hmer in that positions puts it top corner or plays a defence splitting pass. Drop Grimes and play Hamer in the centre

Grimes never shoots, feel like he hasn't even got that option in his locker

 

[Adge]

Today was THE game for Grimes. We seen him dictate the play home and away most games last season. Thought he started well but got worse as the game went on when things were not happening for us. His dead ball deliveries were pants aswell. It could be like playing with 10 next week at Man City if he starts as we are going to need runners and legs to ultimately dig in as we will be under the cosh. I’d throw Hamer in-can’t do any worse as it’s another free hit. Only thing in regards to Gus is I hope he hasn’t been signed on the basis of what he has done for us instead of what he can do for us. Hoping it’s the later.

 

[jto123]

Hamer may not be the answer. Looks way out of shape and not able to drive us forward. Might need more signings or loans before the window shuts.

Teams that don’t pick up at least 4 points from the first 5 games get relegated 88% of the time. Although we’re only 2 games in, we’ve got to realize that we’re in deep trouble and need to figure out a solution fast.

Onyeka was a big miss today and subbing off Yirenki was a mistake. Then subbing off both Rudoni and EMC seemed to negate any threats we had.

That stat doesn’t surprise me and why I think relegation feels very likely after today despite others saying it’s only two game etc. The PL doesn’t have the unpredictability of lower leagues. We will lose heavily to Man City and need to pick up some point at home to Brighton and away to Forest. It doesn’t feel likely. I said before that today was a massive game and I stand by it.

 

[jto123]

Grimes never shoots, feel like he hasn't even got that option in his locker

Can’t tell if this is a joke? Well known that he would shoot last season….and it was always awful.

 

[coop]

I just got pissed off with him taking corners free kicks especially from the left where a right footed cross was needed and most were shit.That fucking floating cross is horrendous.

 

[Skybluefaz]

Absolutely love him but he's too small and too slow for the Premier League.

 

[petch86]

I just got pissed off with him taking corners free kicks especially from the left where a right footed cross was needed and most were shit.That fucking floating cross is horrendous.

Me and my mates were all saying the same.

 

[TomRad85]

We need to go big on a midfielder, even if its a higher class free agent. Grimes can't be in the team anymore.

 

[jto123]

I think the problem with people saying we need to buy to replace Grimes is we have left ourselves in a really tough position. We have to look a LB and LW as a priority. I don’t see us having funds to also get in a quality CM.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

I think the problem with people saying we need to buy to replace Grimes is we have left ourselves in a really tough position. We have to look a LB and LW as a priority. I don’t see us having funds to also get in a quality CM.

But it’s been evident all summer. Management trusted Grimes to lead us throughout the season. We had to be ruthless

 

[petch86]

I just got pissed off with him taking corners free kicks especially from the left where a right footed cross was needed and most were shit.That fucking floating cross is horrendous.

Me and my mates were all saying the same.

 

[Diogenes]

Its pretty clear that Lampard likes Grimes and isnt going to replace him at this point. Anyone expecting otherwise is going to be disappointed.

Fantastic player for us last year but theres a reason he spent the last 11 years outside the PL. I really want him to be able to step up but sadly cant see it.

 

[RoysterE17]

I would drop grimes! Shows the other players that if they are not upto the level they will also get dropped!! Like he gave up chasing back today as he knew he was never going to get there!!!

 

[Winny the Bish]

Some of us have been saying all summer that Grimes' lack of defensive ability and any sort of athleticism will stick out like a sore thumb in this division.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Some of us have been saying all summer that Grimes' lack of defensive ability and any sort of athleticism will stick out like a sore thumb in this division.

said it back end of last year too.

Lampard should have been going round wooing top level cm’s on the project and be the captain to lead us

 

[Londonccfcfan]

Can someone explain why Grimes was left last man defensively when he has the least pace in the team.

Also since when do we a require a sweeper in a match like this..with a deep sitting team. Baffling....its probably what he meant by saying we were too slow.