ElDiablo

Would be a colossally shit signing.

It's a bit weird the whole fasting thing. Eid is moving a day further back in my town because you won't be able to see the moon tomorrow.

I was under the impression he was black as well. Disappointing.

Think he meant this season. Anyway, he picked Jones, and for once in general seems to have picked a nice squad. Cahill, Smalling and Cleverley all called up too.

No shit, you're the champions of Europe.

He's quality, surprised he's forced his way in so quickly but he can more than handle it. Looking forward to seeing a bit more of Oxlade-Chamberlain.

No Zamora for them? Massive plus.

It's considered to bethe closest to the Prem isn't it? Apart from the SPL.

1-1.

Still no excuse for going in to a season with a weak squad despite having the money to remedy that.

He'd keep the team together.

Him and Cabaye don't look great together at all. In fact the midfield looks what it is, an unbalanced mix of players who haven't played together before.

Crap. Ba and Gosling look worryingly off the pace. Lovenkrands was always going to be shit.

Yeah, Man Utd have always been the benchmark for a quick tempo game, agree that Monday they looked a lot sharper and quicker last season, probably down to the much younger team. I find that the most entertaining type of football to watch personally. It's why I loved us so much under Bobby, played a high pace game similar to Man Utd. I think in general a lot of English teams play a higher tempo atm, though last season the top sides were the worst they've been for a while imo. Spurs for example play high tempo too. It doesn't mean a higher tempo is any better in any way, I think that's where there's an issue in the debate, it's just an observation, look at Blackpool last season who played too quickly and got caught out because of it.

It's the usual cliché bingo about English and Spanish football isn't it? I remember Jermaine Pennant saying when he played for Zaragoza against Barca, that is was the most he's ever had to run in a game. He said he could barely breathe after about 60 minutes. That's because they are always moving, dragging their marker around, not the tempo. (imo)

Do you watch them? It's their ability on the ball and movement which makes them so good. Their game is generally slow paced up till the final third, it's not a criticism. Keep up the condescending tone though if it makes you feel better. Not sure why this has turned into this debate. Comparing Ramsey and Arsenal to Xavi and Barca is pointless because Barca are far and away the best team in the world. Copying the system they use doesn't mean it works for everyone.

Only saw the first half but he played about 30 sideways passes in that time. Think he's a good player but not totally convinced he's going to be top drawer like Wilshere. There's nothing wrong with playing sideways passes, as long as they have a purpose to keep the game flowing. Watch Xavi play, he plays loads of sideways passes each match. There's a great article in one of the issues of the Blizzard about the very same thing. I know, but completed passes and possession often doesn't show the whole story, in the half I watched Arsenal had had 60% of possession yet Udinese looked much more threatening. There's nothing wrong with it if it's necessary and there's nothing on, but I've noticed in their games this season that he slows the game down too much and spends too long on the ball which leads to the other team getting behind the ball. Noticed it against us especially and also against Liverpool. Xavi plays in a team and league that plays a slower tempo, it's just not suited to the Premiership.

Only saw the first half but he played about 30 sideways passes in that time. Think he's a good player but not totally convinced he's going to be top drawer like Wilshere.

Sigh.

Friedel Walker Dawson Kaboul BAE Diarra Sandro Lennon VDV Bale Adebayor Assuming Modric leaves and Diarra comes in... very strong.

+9 bonus points.

5m euros and a packet of monster munch.

Harper R Taylor Williamson S Taylor Ferguson Abeid Gosling Obertan Vuckic Marveaux Best

We did a win.