The College Dropout

We don't look up to the fight at all. Wishy-washy in midfield.

Look like lazy strangers.

We'll win this one like.

Agreed, especially with the theory of the spine being so vital.

There's no way Krul isn't in the top 3. He's a no-brainer. Same with Colo & Saylor really, if available there's no reason they shouldn't start. Same with Tiote & Cabaye for me (Anita has yet to prove himself). HBA too because we have no midfielder proven to add the assists and goals they way he has. You can conceive having one of the Demba's on the bench though. The rest havwe to really fight for their place and I think that's the right way. The spine of a side should really be a no-brainer. Ideally your back 5 would be automatically on the teamsheet. 2 midfielders atleast (a defensive and an attacking one) and 1 striker (luckily we have 2 great ones meaning they can compete). The best sides generally follow this format. If you're spine is interchangeable you'e either PSG or a weak side.

1. Krul 2. HBA 3. Colo 4. Tiote 5. Cabaye Even HBA at 2 is shaky. Ba & Cisse are equally as capable of a moment of genius. The reason neither Ba/Cisse make my list is that as long as there's 1, you feel there's a goal scorer in the team. You need at least 1 natural goal scorer but we are fortunate enough to have 2. Colo because of the aura of calm he brings. Tiote & Cabaye in a midfied has so much steel, strength and running. Whenever they are fit they must start unless in really bad form.

Richards doesn't even play for City. Johnson's the least of England's problem.

Agreed but usually Cl = more international football = bigger wages.

Long - 5 year contract signed less than a year ago. Not surprising that a very good player who deserves to be playing at CL level wants to play at that level. Completely unnecessary him coming out with these comments though. Absolutely. Everton and Moyes should slap him with a fine. No place for these comments at this stage of the season. From Everton's point of view he'll be a marked man now as far as his performances and body language/behavior go. Any below par showings will be attributed to these comments and his desire to leave. Stupid. In a way I respect the honesty. Doesn't mean he'll drop his head at all. The better he plays, the better the club he will sign for.

Was more like a long drone rather than proper boo'ing. Should've given it more of a go tbf

Timmy makes less mistales than any other goalkeeper in the league imo. Rarely gets nutmegged too.

Pressure free largely. In London. Great part. Earning millions. Lovely.

He's by far our best player for set-pieces.

Disappointed he went 4-4-2 yesterday. Suggests he views that as our Plan A.

I know that other clubs are apparently pissing on it from great height, but wouldn't this endanger your compliance of FFP? Personally, I think that Top 4 is a closed shop between London and Manchester, which is not to say you shouldn't be ambitious. But I wouldn't frustrate myself demanding a Top 4 challenge this season, or even thinking you're just 2-3 signings (that probably won't happen) away from being in that position. Rather, focus on building a team where finishing 5th-6th isn't seen as an overachieving season, but your natural place in the PL. I think you have made big strides on that regard, with the signing of Arnita and - again - retaining and having people like Santon, HBA, Cissé, Cabaye, etc... fully adapted and able to spend an entire season with you. Look at Sunderland, they have retained Sessegnon but look at the other outstanding players they had these past years... Bent, Gyan, Cana... did any of them spend more than 18 months at the club? Have in mind that you were promoted two years ago, and you have covered a lot more ground than anybody could expect. But building the structure and the reputation to consistently attract players and always be "in the mix" still takes more time than that. Personally, I think the aim this season is to show the world that you weren't a flash in the pan (and I think you have the quality for it). Agreed.

Has Wor Shola missed from the spot?

The Partizan miss hurt.

Really? Yes.

I thought he played pretty well against Spurs tbh. Passing wasn't great but it got better. Protected our defeners very well.

London's the best city in the UK, let's be honest. Objectively, by a mile and a half.

Let the lad express himself a bit. It lead to a goal on Saturday. He doesn't take more than 2 a game tbf.

Like i've said before, we aren't much more attractive than a club like Fulham who have been in Europe several times over the last few years and are in a superb location.

Did you see how quick the Spurs players closed us down? And they outnumbered us in the middle for 45 minutes. Taylor carries the ball often which might result in a sideways pass but we still go forward as a result of the run.

Sagna when fit is brilliant. Was superb during the little renaissance they had. Played with such hear and desire for the cause. Especially rare for that club.

Sahin is basically an Alonso clone, except he's better in tight spaces and is better at dealing with being pressed. But vastly inferior.