Thiam hasn't wanted to break sweat most of the times I've seen him, McGeehan was still carrying far too much timber the last time I saw him and Pearson isn't the most mobile of players.
Can understand some of the criticism of Thiam. McGeehan, didn't get the impression he was overweight. And Pearson would likely be playing CB - doesn't have to be particularly mobile. Liverpool seem to cope with Lovren. That aside, the original post was suggesting we have no players who could adapt to playing a "gegenpress". In response to that I highlighted numerous players who I believe could. Obviously, not all will be.
You said... I was pointing out that among those 'numerous players' were three CBs. The position you said was irrelevant mobility wise when I mentioned Pearson.
Correct. Really don't follow your argument here. I think several of our team could adapt to a pressing style. That includes our CBs. This is not because i think any of our CBs are particularly mobile, but because I believe mobility is not paramount for CBs playing in a team which adopts a pressing style of football.
The point is your list isn't as 'numerous' when you take out the players who aren't going to be involved in pressing the opposition.
The total remains the same. It was a list of some players currently at the club who I believe could play in the manager's preferred style. I would only remove Lyndsay, Jackson, Pinnock and Pearson from that list if I believed they couldn't play in a team that adopts a pressing style. I dont think mobility is an issue so I believe they can play in the team. Whether mobility is required or not would perhaps be a more interesting debate. Because this current debate is tiring.
I'm labouring the point because last season's team clearly wouldn't have been fit enough to play a pressing game week in, week out. Their lack of fitness was commented on regularly. A number of players faded badly late in games and that was when playing at a normal tempo.
I agree there were questions over fitness last season. But I would hope Stendel would address this issue in pre season if he wants to play a pressing style.
From Gauthier's interview it sounds like the extension clause became void with relegation but was something they could have exercised if we'd survived in the Championship. Apologies if I'm duplicating this.