Froggy

Bit unhappy I'm at the very bottom of the list Yorkie but I'll let it slide.

I'm 100% in.

I was gobsmacked to see this as Elanga is bog standard. I wasn't sure if it was Howe or Mitchell's idea but didn't want to say much on it as I was worried the move would go through and Howe would turn Elanga into the next Salah.

This is where the line is drawn as to whether it's a coaching issue or not. I don't think Casemiro is being tasked with that, but I think he's taking it upon himself. It's common sense that Casemiro should be giving the ball to Mainoo or Fernandes, but that's not happening. I just can't see that being Ten Hag's instruction. Ten Hag normally stands by players in the team, so Casemiro being hooked at half time is a bit telling. Other than that, I agree with pretty much everything else you've said.

Hope you had a good birthday yesterday Chris!

Oh the system has issues, it requires everything to be perfect. I'm not in any way saying the system doesn't carry blame for the play over the last 12 months, but it's looked a lot more compact early this season, and it's been individual mistakes that have cost us the games. Mainoo was fully at fault for the third goal as well, but I'm not going to start tearing apart a 19 year old in his first full season. He's clearly an excellent player, but he shouldn't be starting every week and being relied on as much as he is.

Also guys, I'm happy at this point to admit that Isak was a better signing than Casemiro.

A lot of you probably won't care, but I'm going to do a serious post this morning. This is the Manchester United thread and I want to vomit some words on the game because I'm still annoyed about it. I see a lot of people claiming that Casemiro's play is a result of the system, and that the defeat is down to the manager. I know some of these comments are just banter and people are enjoying when we lose, but a lot of people genuinely believe that, and I'm a bit shocked by it. They also don't believe that Ugarte will solve this problem despite Ugarte being a midfield destroyer who plays the simple pass, i.e. exactly what we need. Before Liverpool had scored, Casemiro had already given the ball away more than any player on the pitch. Just not acceptable for your defensive midfielder. At that point we had more possession, more shots, more shots on target, more passes, more tackles won etc. Casemiro was continuing to give the ball away and Liverpool were growing more and more into the game. I've watched this game back quite a bit. A lot of will find this funny, but I genuinely don't think we played that bad, despite a horrific result. We've played much, much worse in the last 12 months and come away with victories. We created a lot of good chances, and our mistakes were punished badly by some ridiculously clinical finishing. Not the biggest fan of xG, and I use it tongue in cheek most days, but the game xG was: Man Utd (1.52) 0-3 (1.50) Liverpool. A more eye opening xG was Joshua Zirkzee (1.08) 0-2 (0.31) Luis Diaz. Anyway, on to Casemiro. I've seen opposition fans make excuses for him. But there were no excuses. He was under little to no pressure for the vast majority of his errors, and 9 times out of 10 he passed it directly to them. Took some screenshots from a replay I watched. See below: Under slight pressure here, but passes it directly to directly to Robertson, and Liverpool counter. Under zero pressure here, passes it directly to Van Dijk when Martinez, Dalot, Rashford and even Bruno are in acres of space. I've seen criticism aimed at Ten Hag because of how attacking the full backs are and that they're not available for the pass. That's not true. They step inside and are almost always available, especially Dalot Under some pressure here, but nothing he shouldn't be able to deal with. He lets the ball get away from him, and clatters into Mac Allister, giving away a free kick. Under a bit of pressure here, but passes straight to Van Dijk and Liverpool counter. Under no real pressure and instead of going long here or looking for a pass, he inexplicably holds on to the ball allowed the opposition to close, and he tries to turn the Liverpool player and inevitably loses it. Liverpool counter. It's still 0-0 at this point by the way. Receives the ball in this position under a bit of pressure, and isn't aware of the Liverpool player behind him. Loses the ball, but De Ligt recovers it Under no pressure whatsoever, passes to directly to Gravenberch, Liverpool counter and score. Receives the ball here under pressure, Zirkzee has his hands out calling for it but Casemiro hangs on to it, loses it, Liverpool counter and score. And his last action of the half, is to receive a throw in and pass it directly out of play instead of back to Mazraouri who is completely free.

I reckon Ally McCoist is my favourite commentator these days.

I can't remember what game it was, but it was raining and he went on for about 30 seconds about the weather in a typical Drury way. That was the day it got too much for me. Still have fond memories of his commentary on ITV, but it was a long time ago to be fair.

I've hated Drury's commentary for a while now after thinking he was class for years. Just didn't want to say as it means K.I. was right about something else.

Salah's celebration was him firing an arrow though. It's far from his worst line. at least it made sense.

Please don't encourage him.

If I gave you my car keys Rod, would it be easy for you to take my car?

Because Ten Hag wants versatile, attacking full backs. AWB wasn't versatile and he couldn't attack. Still really liked him mind.

You don't? Arsenal finished 5th the year before Arteta took over with 70 points. We finished 6th the year before ETH took over with 58 points. Also, if Ten Hag doesn't get top four this season he's gone. I think he and everyone else at the club knows this. Just trying to keep things fresh. Tell us how you really feel Bimps.

Southampton, Barsnley, Palace, Twente and Spurs. Then the glory days are back baby. Erik ten Trophies incoming.

There were plenty of people on here and elsewhere laughing at Arteta in his earlier seasons. He was given no credit for the FA Cup win as he took over halfway through the season, and he finished 8th and 5th in his first two years. Now because they're competitve in his 4th and 5th season, people changed their tune. Ten Hag's first season we finished 3rd and won the league cup. Arteta took over halfway through the season and finished 8th and won the FA Cup. In Ten Hag's first season he won more, lost less, scored more and conceded less than Arteta. 14 points better off. In Ten Hag's second season, we finished 8th and won the FA Cup. Arteta finished 5th and won nothing. Arsenal won 4 more games, and lost 1 less. We scored more goals, but conceded a lot more, due to the fact we had the most defensive injuries of any side ever in the league. Felt like Arsenal had everyone fit bar Jesus nearly the whole season. Ten Hag has his team now. Dalot is a good enough full back where no Shaw is no excuse. He has the international break to get Ugarte up to speed, and him instead of Casemiro in the midfield will make a lot of difference. Mark my words, we're winning our next 5 games. We'll beat Spurs without conceding 20 shots and 66% possession at home as well.

... yes? We'd have won the league if it wasn't for marginal offsides last year. Offside is offside. Don't get Ten Hag started about Garnacho vs. Arsenal again.

Given we've won two trophies in two years when nowhere near our best, I'll be expecting the treble soon.

Was it easy for them? They didn't have a shot until Casemiro gifted them a goal. Maybe a bit easier for them once we're chasing the game.

Must say I missed this interaction guys. Only took 180 minutes of football to have you all back after the scare our FA Cup win and transfer window gave you.

Much higher, although ours is dropping drastically while yours is rising. Wages wasn't the point that was raised to me though.

Well that's just pure and utter nonsense. If you think that there's no talking to you. We absolutely battered Fulham. Once again posting to remind everyone that I'm talking about transfer spend vs. transfer spend as a single metric, due to the post aimed in my direction by Bimpy. It was put to me that Howe hasn't spent what Ten Hag has, I simply replied saying that he has up until the most recent window, and would have matched it again only clubs and players turned your offers down. Did/does Newcastle's squad need more investment than ours due to how Ashley ran the club into the ground? Of course.

No I think Liverpool are a much better side than Spurs. I think Fulham are a much better side than Southampton. I think Brighton are at least better than Bournemouth. Let's just say we beat Liverpool 2-1, but with 34% possession like you and conceding 20 shots at home. What would you say about us? You don't need to answer. We know the answer. Red card or not, let's just say we beat Fulham 1-0 with 10 men, but had *checks notes* 22% possession and conceded 19 shots. What would you say about us? You don't need to answer. We know the answer. Spawny, jammy etc. You would have had a field day. Howe's spending has matched Ten Hag's up until the previous window, and given your bids on Olise, Guehi etc., you would have spent more had you not been turned down/priced out.