KaKa

Nice one ref.

Damn. That's so unfortunate.

Salibas's left foot plays him on I think?!

What. A. Finish.

Wow!!!!!

Excellent from Murphy.

1 minute ago, Alberto2005 said:

Sticking Hall in midfield in the biggest game of the season is a mad shout imo 😂

And moving Burn back out to left back too.

Think those changes would be far more terrifying!

2 minutes ago, SUPERTOON said:

On his current form, anyone down that side will give him trouble. 

I only really tend to worry about him going up against speed in open space or crosses coming in from the opposite side, with him having to challenge a bigger stronger player for a header.

We've got an extra centre back in there and Arsenal aren't very direct or quick in getting the ball forward in general.

Guess we'll see how it goes, but I'm hopeful.

3 minutes ago, andycap said:

Martinelli against an out of form tripps and schar should be interesting. 😂 Isak has to get involved tonight big time cannot be having a barely in it game. 

Going to be Trossard down that side.

5 minutes ago, Nobody said:

Trippier

The likes of Trossard and Martinelli should be okay for him I think. The Arsenal build up is so slow so they won't be running at him in space. He also won't have to deal with a bunch of crosses and having to pick up a more physical player at the back post.

Think it should be alright.

48 minutes ago, nemtizz said:

Wilson in the squad

This is huge.

Could do with some of his 'clever' play late on to see out the game.

That's a heck of a wrinkle to throw at them. Going with the change in formation.

I like it provided Isak looks to drop into space to help the midfield two out in our build up.

38 minutes ago, Karjala said:

He'll be flying tonight, only been injured 268 of the last 359 days. A meer 41 games missed since Feb 11th 2024.

Flying?!

Can we just see him run first please.

5 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said:

More likely, unless Eddie has had them locked in looking at Arteta clips and pumping them up like Viking berserkers caged in the hold of the ship (Maybe that's just Big Joe if he plays).

Hopefully 

Just now, PauloGeordio said:

Ramming speed, crowd up for it like v PSG and knock them out of the park quickly, than settle (a little) 

That would be amazing, but wouldn't be surprised if we come out a bit shaky, and looking a bit uncertain on how much to commit going forward.

What is the approach to this game likely to be.

More defensive from the outset? Or same approach as the first game?

Hope it's the latter. 

9 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

although I’ll never forget Howe he switched from Eddie evangelist to a detractor overnight mind.

 

It was and still is very simple to understand.

If Howe cannot adjust to the different approach to recruitment going forward it is a complete waste of time for everyone.

That was my main issue, which appears to have been resolved.

It really isn't rocket science.

4 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

You’re so sensitive that you missed that I led with ‘in the little I’ve seen’. 
 

You love your Naija boys. nothing wrong with it. 

Yes, I know exactly what you said. That's why I repeated it back verbatim in my post.

6 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Mate you just rate Nigerian lads. That’s it  😆

 

ive Rated Mbeumo, Wissa and Semenyo long before most. Rated Hall from the jump.  Rated Amad Diallo after his loan spell. Even Elanga and Madueke are good footballers, just think we could do better for the money we would have to pay.  For the price their current clubs bought them for - good to great buys. 

 

 

On Adeyemi - I’ve not seen much of him. What I have seen is a super quick player but ability on the ball leaves a bit to be desired. 
 

You like him though don’t you ?

Oh ... so you've not seen much of Adeyemi. So why are you yapping?!

I don't really trust any of what you have to say regarding players man. 

You just jump on whoever is getting hyped at the time or any player from a top club. So so basic man.

8 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Kaka obviously rates him.  
 

 

From the little I’ve seen he didn’t pass my baller test 

Your 'baller test' is basic and weak.

You never rate anyone until you see them producing a high number of goals and assists. It's so simplistic.

I remember when we signed Gordon you referred to it as a Bournemouth signing by Howe in a way to disparage him, and you were completely against it.

There's certain types of players that are very obviously Premier League suited, especially with the style we play.

If the likes of Gordon, Mbeumo, Madueke, Semenyo, Elanga, Wissa, N'Diaye etc can be such a threat in this league, I find it laughable that Adeyemi is dismissed. 

Hopefully he comes into the league next year into a dynamic high tempo team like Newcastle or Villa and you're made to look clueless again.

32 minutes ago, Terrymac1966 said:

Kluivert would be my top target this summer...the lad has it all

Would have been labelled a 'shit' signing of other clubs castoffs if we signed him when Bournemouth did.

Would have been the same if we had signed Cunha from Atletico when Wolves did.

They would have both been judged by their relatively ordinary performances at their previous clubs, and deemed to be 'not good enough'.

We need to do a better job of recognising players like these with untapped potential, who could better thrive in the style of play in the Premier League.

27 minutes ago, duo said:

English defenders tend to do well in Italy. Pace of the football is a lot slower 

Not going to see a bunch of high pressing and high lines that leave your defenders in far more vulnerable positions.

Like you said too teams don't play at a high pace or tempo and as direct.

Teams are more compact and the defenders get a lot more protection.

Not surprising that defenders coming from the Premier League would find it easier.

2 minutes ago, Joelinton7 said:

I’m not sure we’d do it even without PSR issues. It’s just bad future planning. They’re gambling for CL.

Well they're not Newcastle and they are going about it the way they see fit.

I also doubt any of us have enough information to know whether they are gambling or not.

2 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Agreed, but it doesn't seem any less bonkers to me.  I'm a child of the '90s, ultimately  - top Serie A clubs picking up unwanted PL defenders for decent money just seems crazy to me.

Didn't sound like he was 'unwanted' by the manager.

If anything he was the one pushing to leave.

With all the information you can gather on players nowadays, I'm pretty sure they'll have good reason for targeting him. 

A number of decent teams were interested in the summer. He came here largely because of his previous relationship with Howe.

Was clearly expecting a bigger role, but it didn't work out that way, and so he's moved on.

3 minutes ago, Joelinton7 said:

So why are they chucking all of that good planning in the bin and going for short term big names on expensive wages?

What?!

Because it's January and they are players the manager wants to bring in?

2 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

I love BDB, but again we're talking about Italy's most successful club domestically - in what is traditionally the world's best league for defenders.  It just feels like a massive, massive drop off.  If BDB signed for Real Madrid tomorrow I suspect we'd raise eyebrows - Juve are a club that view themselves to be of that stature.

It's a relatively affordable mid season pickup to help deal with a number of injuries at the position.

It's not like their viewing him as some marquee signing.