Astroblack

I understand that but you have the rest of the team to win the ball back. You play the ball out from the back and and you're putting all the pressure on your defenders to start the attack and at the same time keep shape and prevent a counter attack. It's absurd. And don't get me started on playing cross field passes along your own box. That should never happen. But it's happening now more than ever.

It does for me. Just shows a degree of arrogance Seaman had for not covering all bases. That save from Jorginho will stay in my mind forever. I thought it was all over and he pulled it off and it was a fucking brilliant save to boot. Shame we didn't win.

Did he really? I still prefer Pickford. Mind, Seaman made the best save I've ever seen vs Sheff United in the Fa Cup Semi. I kind of like the fact that Pickford is quite relatively unknown within the game while Seaman was the Arsenal number one. Feel like Pickford has more grit when playing for England while Seaman didn't seem as bothered. That's just my view. I always saw Seaman as a joker for England. Gave his all for Arsenal but I didn't get that impression with England.

What are your guys thoughts on playing out from the back? Recently it seems that it is the starting point from goal kicks and anytime the defense are surrounded. In the 2020 Champions League final with 95 minutes on the clock and PSG trailing a goal down, the goalie played a short pass to his defender and within 15 seconds the final whistle was blown. I was flabbergasted. This meant the instruction was to play out from the back no matter what the situation. Playing out from the back is fine as long as it's an option but when it's the primary option, I do not like it. Today we saw a goal conceded from Gabriel, last week Mendy caught in two minds concedes. These are players who have to unwire their brains from everything they've been taught from childhood to play some sort of philosophical football. You see teams doing it that don't have the resources but they still do it. Are they doing it to "fit in" or do they really believe it will work? My opinion is to play to your strengths. If you have a big lump up top who can hold on to the ball like glue, hoof it up to him. If you have players who are technically sound and can hold off challenges while pinging balls across the field, play to that, but don't do what you can't do so you're not labeled archaic. I'm seeing more goals conceded from this tactic than ever before and it's doing my head in because it's totally preventable but stubborn managers and fans have pigeoned holed players into thinking there's only one way to play the game.

Not after that Brazil 2002 incident. Also don't remember him making pen saves in the 96 semi vs Germany or Argentina in 98. I always knew we'd lose a shootout with him in goal. Pickford saved vs Colombia, Switzerland in the Nations League and the most improbable when Jorginho(the best penalty taker I've ever seen) stepped up in the Euro final. He may be a Mackem, he may be shit for Everton but I've never seen him let me down for England.

Yup. I love Pickford(for England, best goalie in my lifetime, I'm 30) but I trust Pope a whole lot more. Assured, composed, intuitive. The complete package.

Ramsdale a madman and talented but celebrating every save is a little cringe. Back in the day, goalies would be batting their players away to defend after a save, this guy wants high fives.

These ones I wait for vAR

Mbabu coming on. Ahh the memories.

Steven Ireland the other one?

Joe Aribo? Maybe even Jacob Murphy IDK mate. I remember saying Bobby Reid would make a decent signing in the Ashley era and everyone made fun of me.

At least you'll be in somewhat shape to defend them.

And that's why I'm against starting attacks/playing out from the back from the back as your main starting point. See more mistakes with defenders and goalies getting caught on the ball than ever before. Do the ends justify the means? I don't think so.

Feel bad for him. Was making his way into the fan’s good graces and then this happens.

did he really say that? Oh god. I did say some idea s work and some don’t. On the whole though, he seems to have everyone on his side. If you look at the players while he’s giving his speeches they’re all attentive and nodding along so he’s got them all together if at least.

I’m on episode five so far so haven’t seen them all. The YNWA thing was a bad idea from the start but the speech about him hiding kind of covered up for it.

Wishing Arsenal luck here. After watching that Arsenal All or ANothing documentary, Arteta comes across as a good guy and good coach. Always trying new things. Some work, some don’t but he’s always working. Likable guy.

bournemouth steeled up their defense the moment that ninth went it. Bastards.

9-0

Charlie Adam too.

City 3-2 Haaland. City playing Pep ball in the Palace box.

was it Everton who said they were too good for him?

Haaland 2-2

oh god. i long for the days football was on Fox Sports and they just mirrored the English coverage. But no, NBC had to do their own way and dumb everything down as if football hadn’t been on Tv for the last 15 years.

yes it’s very nice here(America) but we have this twat named Arlo White who is the worst commentator to grace the airwaves. Makes Peter Drury bearable. so I flip my IPTV box on for big games and would rather be a minute behind but on Sky Sports than listen to him.