The College Dropout

There's also something about Arteta/Arsenal that he can't get a tune out of established top players consistently. PEA's attitude and professionalism was good enough to tear up the league for what 3 years and become captain? Not long with Arteta and the wheels fell off. Same with Ozil. 3 good years, then falls off a cliff with Arteta,

Joe's passing has been v. good imo. Forward, nice weight etc. think he has the hallmarks of a fabulous 4-3-3 number 8 type. Just can't shoot.

Aye in our position, you want quality to see us through. But we've got a manager and most of our signings that people wouldn't bat an eyelid if they got the drop. Add in a Lingard and our strongest team team upper midtable and can take a couple players not hitting the ground running. As it stands. It's going to be ASM, Wilson & Wood to keep us up.

3 of our signings are in their mid 20s or older and have spent much of their careers in the lower half of the PL. They aren’t the signings that make me feel we can pull away from the battle because we’ve added real quality.

Have we significantly improved the spine of the squad? GK Burn Bruno Wood imo no. Wood brings in much needs depth but he’s no better than what we have. Arguably doesn’t even start when everyone’s fit. In a 442 I’m not convinced Burn is significantly better than what we have. Bruno is potentially a great signing but that’s it. He’s not going to score or assist loads. We needed to change the dynamic of the side. Imo that’s central defence and attackers. We needed an ASM level attacker minimum. Then we start to look a real dangerous team. likewise a real solid CB changes a lot. I wasn’t convinced by the Sevilla defender but if we thought he was the one we push the boat out, pay the premium this one time to give us the best chance possible of staying up. At the moment we have a lower midtable team that are in a relegation battle with most of the squad knowing their days here are numbered. Imo we should have used financial might in this window to stay up. Then play it smarter in the summer. I am glad we didn’t go the Everton and Villa route of signing players on the way down mind. If we stay up I like the type of players we’ve been after. But we’ve left survival to chance.

4. We are desperate but we haven’t don’t he business like a desperate club - to our detriment. I think we should have paid the premium for our first choice CB or attacker. Those positions are transformative to a football team. we went from a mid table team to title challengers signing a LW and CF. We may pay for this with relegation.

We are desperate but we haven’t don’t he business like a desperate club - to our detriment. I think we should have paid the premium for our first choice CB or attacker. Those positions are transformative to a football team. we went from a mid table team to title challengers signing a LW and CF. We may pay for this with relegation.

He’s a back 3 CB. He’s an upgrade on Dummett but that’s it.

Gets in at RM and RCM easily. I like the look of a a Bruno, Lingard, Joe midfield.

Is Dan Burn our CB signing? we are in trouble. I thought he was brought in to play LB/LWB

Lingard’s biggest issue is kids being picked over him. because you would think with Martial, VDB & Greenwood gone he’s the next one up in attack and worth staying.

Doesn’t have to move far? More likely to be a long-term transfer as Everton more likely to be able to afford the transfer fee and wages. And obviously a bigger and more ambitious club. but I really like the Palace project. It suits the club perfectly. It’s a working class area, unfancied but also cool. For the elite there’s always going to be better options nearby. But for young players on the rise, with something to prove it’s an excellent choice. Likewise with managers.

If we get relegated he’ll be off like.

Levy always haggling and making deals drag. Proper inside forward Diaz from the stats. Mane has fallen off. Across 2 peak seasons he scored 40 league goals from open play. I can't think of many other player in recent times to hit those numbers from open play. But he's regressed into a 1 in 3 man in the last couple seasons. A few big goal droughts. Might be time to have him as a rotation option or a direct rival. Jota seems to be favoured thruogh the midddle

Let’s revisit this statement. Man U are pants and will continue to drop points.

Mina has been good imo. It's something deeper than just the signings. Gomes started well but has fallen off. James started well and was good when he played but that went sour with Rafa. What they weren't able to do which City & Chelsea did - was sign their rivals best players and I think we should do that. Everton, Leeds, Leicester, West Ham etc. - take all their best players. DCL, Raphinha, Zaha, Rice, Phillips etc. Once we gut them go after Arsenal & Spurs players.

French league is still a goldmine imo. A lot of the players have the right physicality to succeed,

Just CL. They were right up there but threw it away after the SF win with La Decima on the minds. They'll make hard work of it but win it imo. Very reliant on players in their mid 30's and a 21-year old

Owen had a decent record at Madrid despite being a squad player. Gareth Bale has scored over 100 goals for Real Madrid. Including crucial goals in at least 3 major finals. He's not failed at Madrid. Re: Germany - defensively it's a joke. Most goals scored in Bundesliga out of any major European league. It's the high-lines and shit defenders. There's a better hit record from the Championship in recent seasons.

A big factor is the La Liga table: RM - 50 points Sevilla - 46 points Betis - 40 points atleti - 36 points (game in hand) Barca - 35 (game in hand) 83-84 points could win La Liga. Real are good but they aren't that good. Sevilla have a decent chance of winning the whole thing. Barca & Real will get stronger next season not weaker, this might be the best chance in a generation. Also they aren't so far ahead of Barca that they can't fall to 5th.. Keep Carlos, secure CL football - maybe have a strong title run. They are right to only sell for STUPID money. Had Real been further ahead and Barca not made decent signings, they would be more likely to sell.

Ronaldo transfer came out of the blue. If not for Ronaldo signing, Lingard gets decent minutes. Rashford missed the early season too.

Only ever seen him play LB/LWB. Looks weird playing there.

We'll panic and pay over the odds imo

Would love Roy to relegate Watford. Claudio’s a better manager imo

I know Burnley can go on a good run although we've taken a trusty weapin. Still an 8 for me.