Britos and Prodl haven't lost much pace in the last two years because there wasn't much to lose. They've just been more exposed by a back three under Mazzarri where they had to cover out wide, and a higher line by Silva. Even then, Prodl was POTS in a back three. If Gracia sets us up like QSF, i.e. compactly with little space in behind, they can do a job. We have far better midfield and wide options than under QSF so could see us being quite a good counter attacking team. If, however, the expectation is that Prodl and Britos are expected to chase down strikers from the halfway line or get out to stop tricky wingers that have got in behind the wing backs, then there's no point having them.
They didn't have much to lose, and they've now lost even that - leaving them pretty much as statues. And having defenders who are only comfortable sitting deep is a bad idea anyway and very limiting, it only really works if you want to play dire, negative football like Stoke or West Brom every match. Plus, on a bunch of occasions last season when we had Prodl in the team and did try to sit back and defend deep when protecting a lead we still conceded poor goals (e.g. vs Palace). They're not good enough any more to play crap football, and they're certainly not good enough any more to play decent football.
The blessing of all these ex managers is they are hoovering up our **** like coprophagics on cheat day.
Liked this but only after I had looked up coprophagics which in hindsight was a bit of an error on a laptop my children use. Really must expand my vocabulary.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-defender-offered-serie-side-monday-suggests-javi-gracia-without/ Offered to Sampdoria
Big fan of our new policy to get rid of players. Just wait for an opposition team to arrive and then offer them their pick of the deadwood.
