thorin

He was never really a runner now, was he? It shows in the way he position himself... I don't really feel like Cabaye was ever that ENGINE everyone claims is missing or wanted, and passing wise I think Carrick still got it. Tiote in front of back 4 and Carrick alongside to Pirlo-pass, would suffice. Think about it... obv. not long-term, but as it seems we only wanna get by, this might be the best, viable and cheap option. Will never happen tho...

People might say alot of weird shit about Carrick, but he will have the ability we're lacking unless you wanna blast shitloads on Xhaka and take the gambool that he will arrive, cuz he most likely wount. Who the fuck would? Carrick is a local lad atleast and would grasp the significance on wtf is happening RIGHT now. Feels weird to say/type too, that he might be the saviour this season. We lack the clear ability to pass the ball forward instead of backward in the midfield department and we lack the vision to change the speed of play. He will fix that. Experience might help in calming some down too, being somewhat vocal and finger pointing

Who the F cares who actually got power over who or who chooses what... There are lots of Euro clubs not having these issues that we're running with today, that also have Sporting Directors (but they ain't clueless...)- which obv. helps. If the squad balance was right from the get-go I think alot of this shit would be avoided, as it would be more focus on the style of play rather than team play. It seems obvious now that Pards prefer the counter-attack stylee looking at CP, but we shouldn't forget that most likely... say Rodgers, would prefer the technical ability of alot of our players (compared to last season) and would get them going in a possession-based play of ball. There actually IS alot of football technical ability in the squad if they were just to have a chance of proving it, just don't cut it with 1 match here and 1 match there like Pards did with HBA. It's rather obvious, playing on pace might work agains the better teams who control and dominates the matches, but not in grudge matches. So ridic. Another thing is the fact that there's a F board of 4 to decide who arrives and who doesn't, and out of those 4 who actually have a clue?

I actually forgot that Carrick was out of contract in the summer... would be a decent buy to replace one of the headless chickens running around in the middle nowadays Rolan would be a big risk considering his position is mainly ST, but he can cover all front 4 positions. Bet he wount cross anything into the box so wtf?

So atleast Xhaka is mentioned in the mill now, small steps

Everything blends together in this hellhole we're in atm. imo and it has been like this for way, way too long unfortunately. But I just can't seem to figure out where SMC will find the solutions he's looking for. He might not even see it. Dummy has been way out the last couple of matches, where's Mbabu? He deffo deserves another shot after the Chelski match.

LOL! He's already lost it, he lost it when he changed the system from what was going to be possession ball to whatever the F* we're playing right now. Obvious comparisons to Pardew, as in not having any plan other than the long ball - counter s*. I'm thinking any decent manager would get something out of the crop we have, the squad isn't THAT bad, as long as we have someone that would play to the squads strenghts (not that that is that much, but anyway...). Rodgers next? Just because he had Swans playing decent, without actually having the players to do so? ... iono anymore, kinda lost. But one thing is for sure, it's getting kind of exhausting watching the games these days, just same ol shiz we've been watching for seasons with a spell or two of nice 1-2s once in a blue moon.

His last cameos has been a step up since everything after the Northampton game imho. But these 3-5 min cameos is starting to get ridicolous when you think about the fact that he's praising him after each game and wount even increase the playing time. I'm also thinking we should do better in possession, we didn't have the players for it earlier, but we do somehow now... ah well, shoulda been posted in the #McClarenOUT thread

Should just play them bloody germans the price they want for Xhaka. We need a Cabaye replacement and Colback is far from the answer. Even think he lost some of it these last matches as Anita looks good... Also, how the F can McClaren say that Dummet has been good? He looks awful... wtf happened to MBABU?!

Still no TV or stream?

Amazes me that you think Shaq will cross instead of shooting himself But it would be better with Shaq rather than Obertan tho.

Why are we discussing Colback as a holding DM? Don't we have Tiote? Anita is far better, albeit kinda useless (physically) in that position and much better than Colback as mentioned, due to him roaming like a mofo. If we actually put down 1 holding DM, whomever it may be, the partner could be Gini and problem solved most likely.

Think it's fair to say that comparing MYM to Willy is just an insult to MYM as he wasn't played at his best position anywhere close to long enough for him to make his mark. 1 was nearly relegated, 1 is competing for title and plays in the CL. Hopefully the new people will make more movement than in the friendlies and actually help Cabella stay on his feet so he can do some decent work for us this season.

I think it wasn't too daft, but then again BMG was quiet for close to the first half. So we have no idea how this is gonna look when pressured for 90 mins. Then again when the match started all I saw was Pards playing style... Also think we saw somewhat close to what the starting line-up will be for the Soton game, which def is worrying. I'd like to see a new central line, Mbemba did well on the through ball with his def. positioning as Willy was nowhere to be seen. We could easily start him and have less worries than with Willy starting. Tiote + Gini will do CM wise, put in SDJ and get some better and shorter distance in between players for the link-up play and shit might look decent after a few matches.

Was it only me that got the deja vu from Pards when the match started?

I agree, it only seems he lacks match fitness. However, I highly doubt he'll be starting against Soton or the first couple of matches of the season, which is unfortunate.

If only this was true :/

Thinking moar like "F IT" Willy will deliver...

Odds for him starting against Soton? Because if it's either him or Willy, I'd take him unseen 100/100.

Anyone thinking we should prioritize better? Filling up the academy < getting a new CB?

Bring Kemen on!

Cabella isn't fit, Perez doesn't really cross and Sissoko only runs - no winger. He crosses the odd ball, but wanna do mostly himself. We need him more central I think, although it doesn't seem McClaren agrees with me.

All well and good we got a decent striker in, in Mitrovic, but he wount be pulling the strings himself. With the service from last year close in recollection, he'll be lucky if he can put 5 past someones goalie in total. That said, Obertan is the best bet on opposite wing of Aarons. Gouffran can't cross. Marveux is still weak. I'd put in a big shift for Shaqiri or someone close to the calibre, that both can finish and set up. We might actually see a Colo - Mbemba pairing, should be interesting enough.

So anyone figured out where this "DOUBTFUL SIGNING ANY NEW ONES" come from after he just stated the above-mentioned after the Sheff Utd match? ConfuseUs?

Space: It would help since we're trying to charge someone for taking him off our hands...