vicente_14

There were suggestions a few sides in the league had looked at him (& Paqueta) prior to us and decided he was too slow for our league so passed. He has arrived here and that perceived lack of pace hasnt held him back in any way at all. Technically he is as good a midfield player as you could ever see for us, to say he isnt a good enough passer is crazy, his range of passing is up there with the very best, long or short, that pass he has in the locker that he plays inside the full-back is pure filth. He has imposed himself against the vast majority and walks into ANY Premier League side, hence the links with the teams sat in positons one and two and talk of 100m. He’s on another level completely to Nunes as well, if he had Rodri sat next to him adding some protection he would get even better. Bruno can beat a man & surprisingly quite often give his lack of pace, he loves a nutmeg, drop of the shoulder or quick change of direction, his football intelligence is streets ahead of most of those around him. His shooting isnt his strongest attribute but goals have never been a big part of his game and have been a welcome bonus. Not good enough technically is a wild take.

Same. Was a great evening!

Tino

Think we need a reset/reboot in the summer. I know we have had a crazy amount of injuries but for weeks we have looked sluggish, slow, very very slow, lacking athleticism, lacking aggression, the press is fading, the shithousing has vanished, and we just seem so pedestrian and predictable, and as a result, confidence seems to have drained, we either need a new tactical plan, or to be absolutely ruthless and move players on (potentially Trippier, Longstaff, Murphy, Wilson, Lascelles, Ritchie, Dummett, Targett) to facilitate 5/6 new signings and get some needed pace and energy into the side. Ideally some decent free transfers to pad out the incomings and 2/3 big signings, and realistically think we need a Left Back, a Central Defender, a Central Midfielder and a Striker at an absolute minimum. I dont want to hide behind injuries as it's part of the game and all teams have them, but the absence of Pope and Joelinton is huge. Think Pope really commands and leads at that back and brings a calming influence to those in front of him, and Joelinton's high energy and aggression really set the tone for others to follow. I'd also add, Batman looks way short of full fitness, Isak for all his quality constantly looks like a man rushed back too soon (this highlights a poorly assembled squad, we need options and sadly Wilson seems forever broken), and Barnes needs time, think he will be a big player next season. All that being said, Eddie has taken us a long way in a short space of time, and hopefully takes us a long way further.

This. The loan fee he would ask from us would be off the charts crazy.

Didn't say that, I don't enjoy Burn at left back, I don't like Targett there, Hall is unfancied. I'd like us to sign a left back but seems way down the list of priorities.

I said it might be an option until the end of the season given how short we currently are in that area and Howe had mentioned it was something they had looked at in training. Personally, I don't rate Targett, so don't especially want to see him at left back or in midfield, just a personal choice though.

Howe said after the game they had looked at Targett in midfield and liked what they had seen in training.

When he got injured he was set to play in midfield, which Howe said they had looked at/worked on during training and he looked decent there so maybe a midfield option until the end of the season given our current problems there.

Currently injured I think, and anyway, Moyes loves two defensive midfielders, so will play both together in a 4231, Soucek will rotate with them I guess.

Paul Konchesky Darron Gibson Kostas Mitroglou Sean Dundee Lee Cattermole All looked like competition winners in various games i saw them in. Dreadful.

Big, strong, athletic types. Jose likes this ?

Craig Hope is dreadful, always sh*t stirring, always negative, always looking for the angle to destabilise, awful man. A lot of the Phillips talk is pushed by Hope saying we need a DM as if he is a tactical genius first, and journalist second. Howe has previously mentioned he likes to play with three central midfielders who are completely interchangeable as opposed to the fixed positioning of a DM as it gives more freedom, flexibility and options. Tonali was the perfect fit for this, as he has lots of attributes to suit this, along with Bruno, Joelinton, Longstaff and Willock, all tremendous athletes ideally suited to an interchangeable three man midfield, where they can all perform the various functions without ever being limited to one role. And whilst we may well sell Bruno in the summer if a huge offer arrives, in the Eales interview he only says we 'might' need to look at player trading (which could also include ridding salaries from the books or fringe players, Dummett, Manquillo, Gillespie, Fraser, Hayden, Ashby, Hendrick etc), he also hints at increased revenues through commercial deals and the current set of financials are not inclusive of Adidas, Sela or Champions League revenue, so should be funds available in the summer, just hopefully not on the likes of Solanke or Phillips.

Reading through some Chelsea accounts, the clause isn’t player performance based and is based on the clubs final league position which suggests the player is all but signed. The feeling being that we would have to finish way down the table for the deal not to happen. On Hall, clearly very talented, guessing Howe doesn’t trust him enough yet, and is taking a longer term view.

Always loved Buffon, Toldo and Canizares. Had a soft spot for Sebastian Frey too, always thought he was underrated (might just have been awful though!)

If a Season Ticket holder wants to pass tickets on, does the recipient have to be a member or can they be sent to any email address/smart phone user?

His lass was in the box tonight so safe to assume he was there. Might not be allowed in the dressing room as part of the conditions of his ban, perhaps?

Outstanding last night. Love him. Don't get some of the stick he gets, his work rate, enthusiasm and all round game are perfect for how we play.

I think Anderson has everything to be a big player for us, think it's more of a process with him, and one day all will come together and click. I actually think what helps Miley is that he hasn't been loaned to a lower league side, staying with us, everyday training with and learning from the likes of Bruno, Schar, Trippier, Joelinton etc, seems a far better education and learning platform. Unfortunately at the time Anderson was pushing through, that quality of player wasn't available to learn from. Whilst comparisons are super unhelpful, Miley has something of the Michael Ballack about him, the same running way, and the way he glides around, quick short passes, one and two touch, lovely to watch. If he fills out he is going to be some player.

Booking aside, which was ridiculous! showed some nice touches, going to be a really top player.

Arteta really did make himself look so silly and out of control post-game. So arrogant and petulant. It must have been to cover for his teams display, they had one shot on target and beyond Declan Rice, showed their soft underbelly. Jorginho is great if you let him play and have his own way, but he epitomises them, get into him just a bit and he really doesn't want to know, the whole over reaction to the defeat because we dared to push them and go at them, if only we go back to being everyones doormat and let these big sides have their way. On Arteta, I get being ruthless when it comes to decision making and player selection, but the whole Goalkeeping situation makes little sense. Raya is supposedly better with his feet, but in every other aspect of his goalkeeping, he seems way off, even for our goal, he comes out flapping like superman, very odd choice. Was a relatively even, but feisty game, no great chances, they seemed to have a slightly better control of things until Havertz slid in recklessly, and then.... When the stadium and players feel wronged and a sense of injustice, under the lights, there's an incredible energy and noise that takes over and carries everyone forward, from the moment on, we were never losing this, Arteta and his players mentality crumbled and it's glorious to see. Actually never minded Arsenal, purely because I used to enjoy Alan Davies and his Tuesday Club podcast, weird logic I know! but they are such an awful bunch, their manager especially, awful lego headed Pep wannabe.

Think it was Krafth, might be wrong, who did some scouting and stuff to keep him involved and in and around the group whilst on the long road to recovery.

One of the most important and influential signings in the clubs history. Came at a time when others were shying away and then seemed to raise the levels of everyone around him with his quality, talent and professionalism. Getting better and better as well.

I always thought his biggest issue was with the ball at his feet. He has always been a decent defender just always looked like he had a bomb at his feet but in recent games, he looks far more composed and comfortable. Really pleased for him, one of the few back in the darker days who seemed to care and get it so only fitting he gets to enjoy the happier times.