Kanji

Gamez lack of pace is prob why he isn't in the squad. Harsh but the right call. The 11 I wanted in all honesty. Our first choice RB, our best "LB" on current form and LW. Merino and Hayden rightfully keep the central positions. HTL, let's fucking go! Excited for this!

I don't think Rafa means that it's either Merino Or Jonjo with etc. think he's listing them all off and saying those guys are competing together for the 2 central midfield spots

Yedlin - Captain - Clark - Mbemba as our back 4 plz

boring af

Had 2 chances to be through on goal too, drove me nuts

lit

2-1 to the Toon. Excited for this.

Joselu vs their towering CBs would actually be fun to see, think our man will win the battles.

My 11 if fit: Elliot Yedlin - Lascelles - Clark - Mbemba Merino - Shelvey Ritchie - Perez - Atsu Joselu My questions are: 1. If Mbemba isn't fit, do you play Gamez at LB knowing he's going to have to cover Shaqiri? Or do you play Clark there? 2. If Clark plays LB, then you get Lejeune partnering the Captain; 2 big units at CB can 3. Is there any reason to switch Merino/Hayden pairing now that Shelvey is back based on the last 2 performances by Merino and Hayden? Does Shelvey's lack of work on the defensive end compared to Hayden minimize the contribution overall of Merino? Obviously ton of what-ifs because these scenarios haven't happened yet due to injuries and suspensions, but curious to get some people's takes...

I actually think he's good in the pass and in the dribble, Lascelles is prob our most uncomfortable passer of the ball and in possession.

The point I'm making is the press are saying he and Ashley hashed it out between themselves. Not like Lascelles told Charnely who then phoned Mike, and got it approved

There's absolutely no way you could shift Lascelles or Clark after two clean sheets in a row, but Lejeune will be on hand as soon as one of them has a slip. Clark was superb against West Ham and Lascelles the same against Swansea, so it's hard to say with any confidence that bringing in Lejeune would improve things at the moment. Totally agree with you, debatable if Lejeune in the same position as Lascelles makes that slide. Obviously a good problem to have when all fit that we have some sound CBs at this club. I'm hoping Mbemba can play at LB this week as I really do like him there and I don't mind Manquillo's pace, he's a good carrier of the ball but he's kinda rank at defending . Yedlin plz.

What is our fully-fit (sans PD) best back 4? Assuming Yedlin is our #1 RB, and Mbemba is probably our best LB at the moment, who plays CB?

Ball watches, goal line clearance, scores the winner, negotiates the bonus. What a fucking week for our captain...really liking his all-action week

My assumption is that we'll play Ritchie, Perez, Atsu behind Joselu and Shelvey will start next to Merino. Feel like Hayden may be given a break after last week. If he doesn't rest Hayden he'll start him next to Merino. Think Shelvey will have to really work himself back into this squad if that's the case.

Will make a standing tackle and come away with the ball and drive forward, also, his close control when getting double teamed he's often spinning away cleverly to keep possession or dribble himself into safety and keep play moving (last 2 matches it's him turning and continuing attacks) - fantastic.

The hell is he negotiating the bonus for his squad for? such a weird fucking club that the captain has to do this.

I saw that Elma, loved it

but he didn't blast it and Jamaal made the right tackle, so get the f out of here trying to find a way to criticize him after such a great performance. Weirdly miserable. Or just being realistic. Swansea didn't test us defensively. Merino was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch. We're talking about Jamaal though man, and he put in a proper shift ffs.

Merino is absolutley fantastic to watch play with the ball, he's always looking for his pass or move before receiving the ball and often makes the smart pass than not. Lovely player.

but he didn't blast it and Jamaal made the right tackle, so get the f out of here trying to find a way to criticize him after such a great performance. Weirdly miserable.

Makes the Shelvey red card in game 1 at 0-0 and the horrendous performance away to Huddersfield even more annoying to me

He just needs to keep working and get a really good home performance under his belt to gain confidence.

Cracking post. I concur. brilliant post, just raised a fist reading this.