Lush Vlad

Jesus fucking christ. Even I think Ramsdale may as well play now.

Tough watch. Both teams love a niggly foul and shithousery. Mackems understandably shut up shop with about 20 to go.

Good result if it stays as it is. Go above both with a win.

Botman looked rusty as hell and only got an hour. Burn seemed to be playing within himself. Maybe a fatigue/game management thing. Maybe because he was making sure he didn’t get booked. I’d imagine they’ll be managing Botman’s minutes, too. Seeing as he has spent most of the last two seasons or so injured or half fit.

Or big Joe on the left and more of a 4-2-3-1 or that sort of 4-3-3 with Woltemade still deeper. Bit of versatility there in the attacking positions. Don’t mind it.

I don’t think the way they setup will suit his style today. But I reckon he bags at least one and gets a booking for one of his trademark slide tackles. Can see him being bang up for it the form he is in.

Has Gillet ever had any control or authority over a game?!

pathetic from the ref. How you giving that the other way FFS

Keeper has to do better. Another one for the ‘mackems only score from keeper howlers’ list. Where’s et tu brute these days?!

Staying on the Arsenal theme. I would say the likes of Saka, Eze and even to a lesser degree, Madueke are technical players. I don’t see any of that in Gordon’s game. So maybe they want another option for the attacking third and more of a consistent threat than Martinelli. I’m not saying I think he is a bad player. I just think describing him as technical is miles off the mark. EDIT - not basing this on his poor/indifferent form, either. He has always played like that, IMO.

I’m sure there will be plenty moaning, saying I’m bagging on him again. But I massively disagree with a lot of that. He isn’t a technical player at all. He doesn’t have a great touch, his passing and crossing is erratic and his shooting technique outside of penalties is not good. He’s not skilful in 1v1, tight situations and usually wins because od raw pace. I don’t think he retains possession well, either. I’m not so arsed on that last line. As when he is at his best. Is when he is being relentless. He will just keep going at defenders on and off the ball. Doesn’t give them a moment’s peace and I don’t care about him losing it at times when he plays like that. Radge Gordon who wants to run in behind, go at players with the ball and press them to death off it. Is basically unplayable.

Reads like it's the start of a really bad chant. Lonsdale on the chest FFS.

Flights are cheap on either day from Stansted, for now. Might go over there even if I can't get a ticket sorted.

BARCA BARCA BARCA

I agree. It was more aimed at people that like to say things like 'try coming and doing a 50 hour week with me on site' etc. Not that I think there are many of those types on here, TBF. More of the FB crowd. Usually got a dog or a flag as their profile pic

Do we still get 2 hours of complete guff and waffle before the draw? Been a long while since I have watched one!

The 2-0 last year when they played most the game with 10, we were not good. Once they changed formation last time against us, they were starting to control the game and we somehow ended up riding our luck. I think they have a physical defence and midfield, which matches up well against us and plenty of options in attack. I don’t think Rosenior is great or anything. But Maresca seemed keen to get sacked towards the end. They’ve still had a couple of iffy performances of late. But I still think they will be better than they were under Maresca for this half of the season. I do think it is the easier of the two options. But not much in it at all, IMO.

Not really sure where people are getting confidence from with Chelsea? I don’t think we match up well against them at all.

Just read some presser comments. Tino sounds close. Maybe back for one of the CL games. Ramsey hopefully training today. So you think must be close. Miley another two weeks or so?! Had injections and sounds fairly serious? The Miley injury is getting a bit like the scene from Snatch. “5 minutes, Turkish.”

Yeah, in some ways. This break might do him some good. Must be fucked physically and mentally* * I know he is a millionaire pro-athlete. But he is still under extreme pressure and seems to have been playing a game or more a week for about 4 seasons. Along with international tournaments. Hopefully he doesn’t go too hard on the Kinder Buenos.

He’d fit in well with Gabriel. Although TBF, that’s harsh on Gordon. Gabriel makes him look honest

Not so sure about that. Would it not be more the perception that you would be buying or playing players that suit that particular player or would help get the best out of them? Playing a certain style of football to suit? Making it so the team funnel the ball or chances to said player. Make unselfish runs to create the space they need and then whatever else. I guess it could also mean that the player you have built the team around. Could also act as a force multiplier for others and elevate them at the same time. I think we were clearly set up to get everything we could out of Isak and massively played to his strengths. Possibly to the detriment of others, at times. The team certainly felt like it was built around him, last season. Even if that is a bit of a cliche and possibly a throwaway phrase in some instances.

Only ever usually hear him on the radio. Can barely string a sentence together. Yet insists on talking all the while, regardless.

Madrid undeservedly ahead. A common theme in the CL for the last however many years. They’ll probably somehow win it again for the 50th time.

Yeah. I suppose the talk at the time was about them not being ‘that’ Benfica or the team of old. Especially as they’d lost at home to Qarabag not long before. But look what we did to Qarabag….. Maybe we’re just one of the best teams in Europe?!