steve_69

Possibly the classiest CB in the Premier League at the moment. Defensively he's great, his passing is ridiculous, he's skillful and he has a rocket of a shot on him. I struggle to think of another CB in the league who has all of those attributes? The only other one that springs to mind is David Luiz.

That’s some fucking header that! Get in Ayoze lad!

Nope, i'm completely stumped!?

This x 1000. I realise Hayden has been putting in decent performances recently and Diame provides steel in CM but Shelvey gives us something that no other player in the midfield ranks can. We've got more pace and movement in the side than we've had for ages and yet the guy most likely to capitalise on it is benched. I could understand it when Longstaff was playing but not now. Sorry Rafa, I think you've got this one wrong pal. Is correct, arguably the best 20 minutes or so we've played in ages was when Shelvey came on against Everton and was supplying perfect balls for Almiron to stretch them all over. However, Rafa knows that but Shelvey is currently wrapped in cotton wool. He's just not fit and barely has 20 minutes in him. I guess Rafa probably has him on the bench for a possible last throw of the dice 15 minutes but it's probably going to take an operation to get him back to full match fitness. I was under the impression Shelvey is fully fit now?

This x 1000. I realise Hayden has been putting in decent performances recently and Diame provides steel in CM but Shelvey gives us something that no other player in the midfield ranks can. We've got more pace and movement in the side than we've had for ages and yet the guy most likely to capitalise on it is benched. I could understand it when Longstaff was playing but not now. Sorry Rafa, I think you've got this one wrong pal.

He'd have to take a £275,000 per week pay to be even considered.

From memory, other than this season, I don't remember Perez getting loads of stick. And I think the stick this season was justified, not because he was playing shit (which he was) but because he was acting like a little prick on the pitch as well and it wasn't helping us. To his credit, since getting stick he's been one of our best players and he's cut out most of the nonsense. What? How? Diving, play-acting, feigning injury, constantly whingeing at the ref.

From memory, other than this season, I don't remember Perez getting loads of stick. And I think the stick this season was justified, not because he was playing shit (which he was) but because he was acting like a little prick on the pitch as well and it wasn't helping us. To his credit, since getting stick he's been one of our best players and he's cut out most of the nonsense.

Looking forward to hearing the atmosphere in there when they sing their two songs on repeat!

It'll be much more feasible when VAR comes in as well. Miking up the refs now without VAR would be great but I don't think the FA would ever allow it. That guy seems great and the players clearly respect him. Mike Dean and the like get criticised rightly, from players and fans, because they're inconsistent and they come across as arrogant dicks. Bring VAR in so there's no excuse for making wrong decisions and then get them miked up.

Imagine being the fucking idiot who has a world class manager actually wanting to stay at your shit shower of a football club despite you making his job virtually untenable for 3 years, and you're still trying to find new ways to fuck it up. And this guy is supposed to be some sort of business genius?!

Called it last week: Still not sure Kenedy quite deserves a start over Ritchie yet but i'd love to see it

It was fucking comical how badly he hit that

I bet their employees are fucking thrilled about that news

Tell that to the guy who might be missing out on an England place because of injury

Although he's been utter shite this season I actually think Kenedy at left wing back rather than Ritchie would benefit Almiron - Ritchie's instinct is to go down the line and cross the ball in. If you watch the games again, the times when Ritchie ignores Almiron are when he's asking for the ball down the line, where Ritchie himself wants to end up. Kenedy is more comfortable coming inside onto his 'weaker' foot and makes less linear, formulaic runs, so that flexibility of movement would probably see Almiron getting the ball more. Having said all that, Rafa might want Ritchie to make those down the lines runs, in which case Almiron needs to find space elsewhere which will come in time.

The thing is he wants the ball all the time, which in itself is a great thing but other players have to exercise their better judgement if they don't feel it's right to pass to him in certain situations. If Almiron got the ball every time he wanted the ball he'd have 1000 touches every match.

First thing we've had to get excited about in years and you want us to calm down?! Fuck that, i'm getting his face tattooed on my arse

In terms of their composure on the ball, their ability to make space for themselves under pressure and their efficiency with the ball, they are very similar. I can see where the comparisons are coming from even if their playing styles are different.

You can get good value for money in Spain with some of the buyout clauses Seems that way when you consider we got Schar and Lejeune combined for a third of the price paid for Michael Keane, and i'd take either of them over him.

How we stole this guy for £3m is absolutely baffling! Bargain of the century! He's fast becoming my new favourite player. Take a bow Rafa.........again!

What the fuck have I just seen?! That is an absolute beauty! Robert would’ve been proud of that one! Fuck me!!!

He’s been well and truly Rafa-d this lad

His weight of pass on the through balls was perfect every time. Shame those on the end of them were a bit more clinical and quicker to react. Hopefully that comes with time. Based on today’s performance alone he has every attribute you want in a #10

As were half the players we signed back then. They were working under a total shithouse of a manager who didn't have a clue how to get the best out of them. When you think of the talent Pardew had to work with compared to what Rafa has been handed, it makes you want to weep.