Lotus

Thought maybe the AR had said something to him and that’s why he blew up and booked him.

Looked like the game was a little too quick for him and I think that’s something that can only be cured by getting more minutes.

Aye. Looks great in that video and has excellent stats too. 19 years old and available on a free next summer. There will a long queue for him.

Paqueta had a better resumé and he only ended up a WHam.

I think Hall offers so much with his progressive passing, especially in contrast to Tino that I think having 2 non ball playing FBs would be awful unless we changed the way we’ve been playing ,completely abandoning the horse shoe build up and somehow found away to always play through the middle. Introducing all those stylistic changes with just adding one player is some makeover so I don’t expect it.

Poch might have a break clause if clubs from certain leagues approach him. I mean, he’s very high profile for the USA job so he might’ve wanted a clause like that. Pua speculation from me though.

Callum Wilson?

of course I haven’t a doobies. I’ve said so. What I know is what has and hasn’t happened so far and the rest I’m purely speculating as I had nothing better to do at the time then type shit out on the internet. It’s what the forum’s for, man! Only thing I’d say is, it’s not speculation based on nothing. It’s based on what they have and haven’t done. There evidentially is no new training ground. No sponsorship for the current training ground. That’s not arguing why not, just clearly pointing out there isn’t any. I’ve no doubt the ‘why not’ list is a long one. If we knew them all, some we’d feel are valid some we would feel are less so. As with everything.

Wondered how Sesko was getting on so checked some stats. Doesn’t look great Then checked Isak on fbref. Outstanding except for headers (we all know that) and one very key thing (I thought). Progressive passes received. That wasn’t too good at all. I mean, we all know it I suppose by watching the games. It just seems such a key thing to change. It’s clearly not easy at all otherwise it would’ve been fixed from the off. If we can’t change personnel we’ll have to change style without sacrificing something Eddie very much wants to hang on to. Obviously a very tricky conundrum, i.e. no easy answers.

Wrong thread.

Yeah, that’s what I wanted to happen. I think I remember Staveley saying though that decisions of consequence are approved or not by PIF. Someone please correct me if I’ve got this wrong. Also, the lack of moves screams Saudi. So, with only that to go on, walk like a duck, etc.

It’s funny because TCD has a fairly pragmatic outlook about it all. I doubt he’s losing any sleep. And it very easy to say ‘January’s the real test’ and the NY may bring some v good news. What is categorical though is, we haven’t any plans actually laid out and approved and for a training ground as of yet. We do not have a noice money deal for sponsorship of our current training ground. Due diligence still ongoing re: new stadium- so, still ongoing. Takes time, totally understand it. Plans and announcements could arrive at any minute, still haven’t as of right now though. So things may change in a major or minor way at some point in the future, near or far. We can speculate on the timing and impact of that. 3 years in though and no foundations dug, bricks laid, etc. That’s not a dummy spit, it’s a clear statement of fact. I’m not overly irritated by it. If it’s another 3 years I’ll be disappointed but not surprised. They are who they are and they may move heaven and earth tomorrow or fuck about doing nothing much til 2030. All the factors that may influence either have just as much likelihood of being nothing about football (imo). It’s Saudinger’s cat until it isn’t.

I worked directly with and for Saudis for a fair few years. My own experience, and I think that shared by some better placed posters here who’ve actually worked in the Kingdom is that they are a fantastically uninspired group. Nothing innovative, no real drive, no piercing acumen. The higher up the worse it got. When there is just so much money sloshing around a country, more than they could ever spend and oodles of cultural kudos as custodians of the Holy Mosques. There isn’t much left to achieve. I think it limits ambition. It doesn’t look like you can get anywhere unless you’re very well connected and if you’re very well connected, you don’t need to go anywhere because you’ve already arrived. The hardest I’ve seen a Saudi ‘try’ is to tell his underlings to give 200% instead of 100%. The notion of giving %100 so alien they think it possible to double it. Some of the most charming people I’ve met for balance. But, when you’re a gazzilionaire everything you buy or try is just a whim. It’s just a distraction from the monotony of exuberant wealth.

I am also disappointed with our lack of growth and plans for development. We can’t keep hoping the rules may change in our favour. How long do we play that card? The rules may change but not in our favour at all. There is surely plenty of opportunity for commercial deals that bring about a benefit even if not to stratospheric levels. They needn’t be. Good deals should be good enough for now. There appears to be a clear lack of dynamism somewhere in the leadership. I’d warrant a good guess where that lies.

We were unlucky. That’s it. Isak should’ve scored, Gordon should’ve scored. Willock should’ve hit the target. I’ve been wanting to see Kelly in at CB instead of Burn but WHam’s 1st goal shows why he hasn’t been I guess. Got ragged in the last 1/4 of the game but it goes like that sometimes. Even understood Murphy coming on as he can sometimes cross well. He sometimes doesn’t. Monday was one of those days. Can’t blame Howe for trying something different given our usual stuff just wasn’t working out. Oh well. We’ve had some good results lately. Let’s see how the next 3 or 4 games go before questioning the coaching and selections (again).

Hope we come out firing and go at them like we’re the underdogs.

Think he’d do alright in Portugal.

Antonio Silva?

I remember thinking when Benzema was in his last season that Isak would be a very good replacement. Thankfully Real went a different route.

75% of German defences are so poor though. Ekitike is not super quick and he jogs past that defender after giving him a head start.

Purely speculative but I reckon it would’ve given him a proper confidence boost when Eddie told him he’s starting ahead of Tonali. He’s there on merit now too.

Very good to see him looking fit and sharp and therefore playing well. We really don’t have anyone who pops up in dangerous areas like he does. Actually, I think Miggy does if he’s allowed a bit of a free reign but that comes with other problems!

So happy for him. He was essential today. A key part of our win.

Offensively his strength is running the ball up the pitch. What you would normally get with that is a midfielder hanging back and covering the space he’s left. None of our CMs do this (on the right, JL will cover down the left). Think our lack of defensive action in the midfield makes him wary. Justifiably so.