Stottie

Blind as a fucking bat

All a bit hurried so far from both teams. I think there is a win here though, as their energy level drops.

Not wanting to sidetrack things but it sounds like Suarez' contract only had a "good faith" release clause, not an automatic one. https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-release-clause-in-a-professional-footballers-contract Since they need defensive solidity, Rafa would definitely move them forward, but he certainly wouldn't be loved as he is here. It could be Chelsea type antagonism all over again.

If they get Simeone, it would be like back to old days of George Graham. Kick the opposition up a height and aim to win one nil. Wenger's had a brilliant career that was ultimately undermined by the stadium move, the rise of the money clubs, esp. Man City, raiding his team as badly as Liverpool have Southampton, and possibly the odd unlucky move, e.g., offering the escape clause fee for Suarez but for some reason I never understood not getting him. He's still been successful in the cups, but they don't seem to get you much credit any more. He can't spot a player like he could back in the day, I guess the other teams' scouting caught up, but he signed some amazing ones and brought them to play in our league. When Wenger goes, Rafa will be seventh longest serving Premier League manager. Klopp is fifth with two and half seasons.

Man U in Fergie's last season looked on course for a record points total or league-winning margin, I can't remember which, but it was all on the back of last-gasp winners by players in decline, Van Persie, Rooney, etc. or randoms like Macheda. They hadn't been controlling games, which is the most sustainable way to get long-term success. I think it was a bit of a poisoned chalice, and not just with Fergie sitting up there in the stand. Arsenal must have low expectations by now and look like a semi-randomly thrown together group of expensive players. You would think a new coach could improve them by better coaching and/or signing players to improve the most glaring weaknesses, which as Vidic said the other day are mostly at the back. They have conceded more goals this season than us.

no shit, they've just spent +£100m on two strikers though, it would take man city levels of backing for us to be able to overtake them anytime soon i'm afraid because it's not like they're going to stand still As Vidic said the other day, the problem is their defence. They've conceded three more goals than us. Their goals for is only three fewer than Man U, but is being undermined by their defensive woes. I don't like to downplay the FA Cup where they've been very successful, but without it, they have been effectively standing still for a long time. If Dyche goes to Arsenal, he needs to take their keeper. Like de Gea, he's been playing out of his skin.

huss9's point about Mitro for us wasting his energy on bad attempts at winding up opposition players, like a shit version of Diego Costa, was especially apt. He seems much more focused now, and not surprisingly looks a much better player.

Aubameyang 57m Lacazette 47m Xhaka 40m Mustafi 36m Welbeck 18m Even with injuries, they fielded nearly half a team that would break our transfer record. And couldn't fashion a chance in the second half.

It took Ritchie 2/3 of the season to start scoring, but he was contributing all the time.

Was about to say. Very confident and astute. Aye, the "blame Mustafi" simple narrative is there and he's looking at the bigger picture.

Magnificent! Only looked one winner after Slimani came on. (Yet) another Rafa masterclass. Christ we are blessed.

I agree with huss9. I think Mitro has learned to show some focus that we never saw. He's become a different, better player. Rafa didn't play him ahead of Murphy in the Championship for a reason. The possibility is slim, but this even could work out as a "developmental" loan. If, more likely, we do sell, it's now going to be for a ton more cash.

I'm not sure it's a red with the ball going inside with other players there. However, it felt worthy of one. The Ben Davies was a red.

Yes, my comment was about what I felt was too much acceptance of defeat. Cisse scored and hit the post twice in the first 60 minutes of the away leg. The tie was there to be won, regardless of Benfica's domestic form or reputation. Losing meekly was of course the hallmark of the Ashley era before Rafa. From .com's match report.

As good a chance as any in recent times to put one over them. I expect a close game.

We could have won that tie. Cisse hit the post twice in the first leg, and then we gifted them two goals with a blind backpass from Santon and a braindead handball from the plastic Geordie. I doubt Pards would have beaten Rafa's Chelsea, but there you go.

Credit to Leicester for trying to build a squad. With Prem wages and fees, it is now very easy to make expensive mistakes. They also did it while trying to transition away from the tactics that won them the title. Too much change at one time is never good. Ideally, you would have an approach and players and managers would be recruited to fit it. If you want to criticize a team for throwing around money with no vision, Everton would be a much more obvious choice. On the subject of Leicester, I love Vardy, I think he's wicked and deserves more credit for not going to Arsenal, but I think Mahrez is a flighty bastard who's up his own arse. I would have said it before the game, but didn't want to tempt fate.

They needed to be gifted a pen to start things moving against Stoke last time.

The Mackems come with a lot more "baggage" than Mitro.

Just a couple of points to put out there. Still buzzing like mad over the performance and the result. 1. Chilwell looked like he moved his arm toward the ball for our first. If it doesn't go in, it should be a pen and traditionally a red card for handball of a goalbound shot (yellow now for double punishment?). 2. The highlights didn't show it, but I thought Diame kicking Vardy in the nuts was a stonewall penalty. Given the fuss over the Mahrez one, I couldn't understand why it wasn't an issue and people were arguing the toss over a much weaker claim. The Mahrez one was so borderline than its acceptable to not give it even if one angle in slo mo might show something different. I think the way cricket does the verification, with "umpire's call" is very well done. There should be no controversy over very marginal decisions, only over mistakes.

Above Bournemouth and Watford? Seven out of ten chance for me.

I think we should be looking for over 20 million for sure. The most successful Championship strikers after promotion are the physical "handful" types like Carroll and Grant Holt, so that also bodes well for him. The reason he's not done it for us is Rafa doesn't see him as a player for his system and he's certainly not going to change his system to suit Mitro. Mitro is now proving that if the team plays to his strengths, he'll score goals.

10th and three points behind Everton in 9th with a game in hand. Well played lads. Rafa is the man.

YESSSSSS!!!!!!

If it needs five replays, it's not a pen.