Beren

Arsenal DNB, Napoli DNB, PSG, Chelsea

Not sure what to make of this, a poem perhaps? These two lines are killer :lol:

Is this fortnight's 'Mageckem XI' up on RTG yet?

The BTTS odds for Arsenal-Dortmund is flatteringly low - 8/15 or something.

Not enough value on any single night for me IIRC, so I spread my accies across today and tomorrow.

Yeh, sheeeeeeit, will update the table tonight chaps.

Really? Depends what position we're placing them at. I personally think Lampard is easily one of the greatest midfielders this league has seen in the past 20 years. I'm well aware he has limitations and I'm not saying he's better than certain other midfielders in that time period in other countries, because he's not, but - boring or not - it's impossible to ignore his phenomenal scoring record. It's absurd. That's due to his intelligence, composure and underrated technique. Gerrard, well, I'm obviously biased. He was clearly world-class back in his day but I think his "Captain Liverpool" image masked some deficiencies. What I've bolded is probably the crux of it - "overrated" and "underrated" have no real useful meaning until we add some context. I think what you say is spot on in reference to this league, but that's my point - this league isn't where it all begins and ends which is why I've always viewed both as limited/overrated. The press/media/fans would have you believe Gerrard/Lampard are have been on a par with Europe's best when there's no real substance, IMO, to such an assertion.

Gerrard and Lampard are both overrated in this country FWIW.

Just offering his opinion/selling books, tbf. Don't see the issue.

21 months! Bleedin' eck. What a signing that was. Remember how gleeful RTG was about it, too. Anyway, I hope if we take the lead we don't become edgy and we continue to press forward/dictating play/scoring goals. Biggest concern is that we get a goal and surrender momentum because it's a pressure game.

That's pretty cool.

How you finding Martinez so far Neil? Upgrade?

Nope. No, really, I can't. It's all over the place. Seemed to be a bit better this year than last (which was just batshit arbitrary), and made non-goalscorer rewards a bit more achievable, but some odd choices yesterday.

Cyrax.

Vertonghen is on thin ice.

Giroud is settled in the league, it's fair to say! Immense poise atm.

Norwich had no fucking idea what was going on Arsenal are just poetry at this point

Mutch too casual from Luiz

You might be right, but I haven't seen him given in a decent crack at it yet to rule it out. I think it may benefit the team's balance and help him get better consistency if it is done in the right way. Unsupported in the middle, I don't think it would work but with Remy I think it might

Cisse has to earn his shirt for me. Remy in a way, could be the best thing for Cisse - because he only had Shola and a kid for competition previously. I'm hoping he responds positively and knuckles down (although sadly, I don't think his recent malaise is because of a lack of application). He needs to make the most of his substitute cameos and deliver in training to get back in because he hasn't been up to task for too long. He hasn't always got the right service etc, but when he has, he hasn't been good enough - and given his limited attribute set, if he isn't poaching and putting away chances he doesn't deserve pitch time if we've got Remy available to do the business. [/iMO]

Didn't see the match today, but: In my head, the pro of having him up to is better balance for the team (in so far as that someone like Gouff will put in more of a defensive shift/cover for a full back than him as a wing forward) but the con is that HBA will pick the ball up in higher areas of the pitch, possibly with his back to goal - which won't allow him to run at players - which is maybe his best asset. Also, against sides we "should beat" who sit a beat deeper, there'll be less space in behind for throughballs to him etc. If Pardew is really serious about having HBA further forward as a long-term manoeuvre, I think two up top might be something to consider with Gouff joining our regular midfield three in a bank of four.

Glad to hear he's being appreciated Reasonable CB when he's not overwrought/burnt out.

Cracker of a game from the highlights I've seen, so fucking chuffed for Dummett. Looks such a propsect. Would be fantastic if he got a starting berth next week. How was HBA up top? Imagine he didn't get much of a chance second-half?

Basically relieving HBA of defensive duty.

Our individuals look worse in our shithouse of a team.