The College Dropout

I'm being hyperbolic, but we are another couple of players and some depth away from going up another level. That 76-85 point range, depending on the season, is a title challenge. We speak about the cartel. Only three of them are capable of exceeding 85 points next season, and only one will do that this season. There's no point in having players like Isak and Tonali, then targeting finishing 4th or 5th for the prime years of their career. We can target a 76-85 point season next year, if we achieve that, can that unlock finances to go 85+ points?

Small green arrow but I’ve had my worst season in years. Too much dip on my chip I think. Goinf to try and gamble every week but doesn’t feel like there are great choices

He’s been transformational. Onviously we’ve not signed a first team player in over a year. But we didn’t have Tonali in that time. We’ve replaced our weakest player, a central midfielder at that. With arguably our strongest player - at worst 3rd/4th strongest. It’s not 1 level, it’s at least 2. It’s like replacing Fabian Schar with a 24 year old VVD or Murphy with Saka. Probably a bigger gap than that still. It’s only 1 player and the same system more or less but an entirely different team. It’s a massive ask bexuas it’s difficult to make such big upgrades on the rest of the squad. But if we can sign another couple players the level of Tonali, Isak, Bruno etc and have some luck with injuries…….. we can win the Premier League boys and girls.

We need another CM regardless. The big 3 can't play 60 games a season and we can't suffer such a big drop in performance if one of them is out. It's so important we get a CM.

If i'm Guehi, i'm staying at Palace and collect a supermax contract as a free agent. I don't think he's good enough where a club goes drops £60m on him. But for free? £150-200k per week he could end up at City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man U, Us etc..

I fancy Villa against Man City man. Man City will win the last 3. But I see them dropping points before then. I fancy both Villa and Everton to cause them trouble. We can finish above City for sure.

Thought he was quietly really good yesterday.

Think he's decent at them.

Think a big part of the game plan was the switches to the flanks. Bruno, Tonali and Schar to ping em. Schar landed 2 perfectly early on. Won all his duels and he was absolutely loving it, feeling it, in the zone. He had so much fun out there. Back off, I'll ping it anywhere I want. Press me, I'll drop my shoulder and run past you.

Confidence is massive and he doesn't have any atm.

Where does he go and start 50 games a season?

Optimistic points tally would be 13 more points. On par is 9. With our form, you would aim for 10-12 points. Win our home games and get at least 1 result from an away game.

I think 66 will cut it fine and would represent an underperformance for the rest of the season imo.

I'm telling you man. We are winners. Get us a couple more and we can win the league. Or at least do what Villa have done in the CL. We'd beat this version of Real Madrid IMO. Too lazy, open and disjointed for us.

Was immense and really enjoyed himself out there.

You know he felt he was due a brace minimum. Didn't even crack a smile when he scored

I don't think this is possible / good with a team that is challenging in the CL. City & Liverpool only have 1 attacker that starts every game and neither has to do the same amount of work off the ball that Gordon/Barnes has to do. That's Isak in our case, not Gordon. Arsenal are the exception who seem to run their attackers into the ground and they've picked up loads of injuries this season. I also don't think Gordon is good enough to start 50 games for another team in the CL.

Is it a must win for them? They have to beat at least one of us or City imo if they want CL football

I’m be earmarked 68 points for awhile now that will be safe. I think we should get that, just win the home games and that’s assured. 71 beats the 4th season. That can also happen. If Arsenal get to the CL final. We’ll get a result there for sure.

I gave Isak the edge because of the wow factor but I agree Harvey is going for a stock finish every time. No messing about. Barnes is the best with his weaker foot. ISAK’s all right footed. His left is just for swinging a shot at goal, make solid contact hope for the best. 25% of Barnes goals scored with his feet are on his left. ISAK’s is less than 10%.

Rather keep Trippier and Krafth than get KWP personally. It’s midfield we need a purple/Joelinton type and a backup. Longstaff/Willock shit ain’t gonna cut it with 10 CL games.

I didn’t include Skelly in the 5 but he’s a top talent. The strength in depth in defence has been crucial for us tbf. RB, CB specifically we have multiple genuine first team options. We don’t have that strength in depth in midfield or attack (bar LW)

Would people agree that Barnes is our second best finisher? And best finisher off his weaker foot?

To where? I think he’s a good player but I think we are perfect for him.

And they’re in the CL Semi finals and have been semi challenging for the league 3 seasons in a row. they ain’t any better than us. We’ve seen it. We’ve beaten them multiple times. But they’ve got more depth. And of course they’ve got a bigger wage bill. But we can take but strides forward next season I hope. We are like 3 players away from being one of the best teams in Europe