Yorkie

I assume you mean half a metre of daylight, because I think most cases where there isn't any, any sense of an advantage being gained is incredibly dubious. Anyway, I know offsides is never going away, so it's not really a worthwhile debate. Could probably say the same for the whole thing really but there you go.

If you disregard the fact that the whole thing is inherently flawed, I think the biggest issue - at the strategic scale - is that it's constant. There isn't a moment in the game where it isn't live. I'm no fan of VAR but I think there probably is a world where it can be a net positive, it's just a world where its application is far more selective and not a blanket over everything. Every single goal having to be digitally ratified is such a miserable way for the game to be played, and I very much include offsides in that, probably moreso than anything else tbh. If it was limited to serious foul play (i.e. upgrading/downgrading possible red card offences) and off the ball incidents, I don't think many people would argue too much, despite the subjective nature of those matters inevitably leading to some ropey calls. Those are the occasions where I've really thought it's justified it's existence. There could be room for VAR when it comes to penalties, because they are incredibly sensitive to a result and an injustice around those incidents are deeply unfair if you're the defending team. I'd argue that the existence of VAR is more compelling in how it might save a defending team from an injustice (i.e. reversing a penalty that should never have been awarded). It's existence is much less compelling in how it might reward an attacking team after (for example) a missed handball that wasn't denying any goal-scoring opportunity. Being rewarded with a disproportionately large goal-scoring opportunity (relative to the infringement) has been a part of the game for centuries, and I certainly wouldn't advocate changing the penalty rule. I just don't think we need a man in a booth, searching for ways to increase those incidents. If the ref has missed a handball or a pull; it's annoying but it's not like a penalty reimburses a lost goal-scoring opportunity. Pens are like 0.88 xG or something. So yeah. Serious foul play incidents and penalty reversals and leave it at that.

Think that's probably true. Was excited to see him do something at Celta Vigo but even that looked it was a bit of a disaster.

Cba to read back; what were his glaring weaknesses supposed to be? Just error-prone?

I'm not saying your perspective is illegitimate, @Kid Icarus. The good thing about this debate is that it reminds you that our transfers have basically been hit after hit after hit.

Be interesting to see who people's three worst are.

Totally get that his actions have tarnished his legacy but he scored 62 goals in basically two and a half seasons, including the winner in the cup final. I absolutely adore Dan Burn and if it wasn't for Trippier he'd be a shoe-in, but I don't think you can look past a striker signing who turned to ashes the 'best since Shearer' debate.

me. The power of italics.

There's a fair amount of denial if you're not saying Isak, like. He left under a cloud but he was absolute dynamite and there's no way we have the success without that calibre of striker imo. Also a massive victory financially, despite us supposedly failing by not holding out for more than £130million. Isak, Bruno and then a shootout between Trippier and Burn. Tripps for me; just an incredibly influential signing.

Was definitely quite alarmed by his performance yesterday but just refuse to believe he's actually that poor given how much the manager wanted him. I do share the concerns about his compatibility in the team and wonder if he's a victim of circumstance a little bit; first with Isak leaving then with the Wissa injury. Because it seems very clear to me that the football we need to play to make Woltemade thrive (neat, fast, somewhat congested football through the centre of the pitch) is not the football we need to play to make Elanga thrive (direct counter-attack with balls over the top). What's exciting is that, if the manager finds a way to get the best out of both of them, we'll have opposition teams chasing their tails defensively. He needs to learn how to control the ball first, mind.

it's not a hill I'm especially willing to die on. I think Zaius has provided the nuanced argument. Like I say, just keen to see him look more threatening before I feel convinced that he's going to score goals routinely (this season).

I think it was more Diame than Henry, like.

It's definitely not a concern because he's new to the league and, as you say, it's good that he's in those positions. You've got to be scoring that second one though imo; that's the difference between what we have and what we've lost. I think he's class. Just eager to him scoring from open play with his feet (on purpose).

Him and Tino fucked at the same time is so fucking annoying, like. Can't believe we're gonna be watching Burn at LB for presumably several weeks.

Proper anti-football ref. God knows how they got away with that pull on Burn (x2!) However, begrudgingly have to say credit where it's due because that was an excellent call on the non-foul before Bruno's goal.

Wasn't the bump I was expecting; thought he was terrific today and really helped us get control.

Plus he's got one of these on each boot:

Looking forward to him and Wissa doing that W celebration together

He has these games a lot where he's unspectacular (or worse) but pops up with some absolutely crucial goals or assists. He basically won it for us today, along with Tonali, who absolutely ran the game in the second half.

Feel like I'm impressed by him apart from whenever he plays against us. Bruno absolutely ruined him on that pen.

Someone told Ange to finally remove himself from the firing line on front of the media, with all his OTT despondency? Remarkably chipper in his post-match.

He gets the 'didn't stop trying/was always a benevolent threat/won some corners' bonus I had him at a 5 too; he did start to offer something midway through the second half too, but was otherwise pretty dire. Thought Joelinton was worse. Among everything else he nearly gifted them an equaliser straight after we scored.

We'll not mention the two snatches from inside the six yard area.

Another good game from him. Clearly a long way to go as a poacher but you can't argue with 4 in 6. Really taking responsibility which is brilliant to see given the pressure of the Wissa injury and the price tag. Obviously has a terrific mentality.

Really ropey performance that, like. He certainly hasn't made much of an impression so far but I can only put my faith in the manager. We chased him for absolutely ages so I can't believe he's really this poor.