Lush Vlad

I mean, quite a lot of his game stands out. The mad runs he goes on, his shooting, his long passes, the fact he gets smashed round the head every game. But of late, it is his slide tackles that have stood out. He's been squared up and beat for pace down the line a few times the last week or two. Yet always seems to time his challenge to perfection and get the man and ball, without giving away a blatant foul and yellow card. He's also extremely aggressive stepping into the opposition's half and winning it back with a crunching tackle. There was one on Saturday and of course his goal against PSG started with a beaut of a smash from him. Lascelles is incredibly passive and unsure of himself in comparison. Which is strange, as he isn't that slow once he gets going, faster than Schar I'd say and would dominate most players physically.

Not necessarily an out and out DM, as I'm not sure Howe wants that type of player. But it would be nice out of all of the midfielders, if more than one of them was competent as the 6, as I believe everyone now calls it. Perhaps one that is more defensive minded than Bruno, too. As I think we lack solidity in there against top sides or teams like Brighton who are really good on the ball and manipulating space. I think you could possibly get a forward who could also play a wide position, or the vice versa. Liverpool for example always seem to have a fairly fluid front three and players capable of covering across all three forward positions. I was hoping we were going to target a wide forward type in the summer. But after the Barnes signing and Gordon the window before. That was always unlikely, even a backup type would have cost a few quid. It was always going to be a risk relying on someone who has proven throughout his career, can't stay fit and another striker who has had injury troubles since signing. If you are looking at a starting quality player good enough to cover two positions, then this wouldn't be cheap, of course. Thinking someone like Nunez or Jota sort of money. I don't really care about squad balance when it comes to this position. We need more than two players capable of playing up front and it's pretty obvious for anyone to see. Even more so at the minute with the ridiculous situation we are in and so many games coming up in a short space of time. Almiron, see above, I guess. But I couldn't disagree more. I think this area needs upgrading/more competition far more than the GK position. Small sample size, but Burn was absolutely rancid against Brighton at CB. Howe seems reluctant switching him to CB, as well. Regularly brings Lascelles in, instead of Targett and shifting Burn inside. So I'm not sure I agree with your assessment there. I also think we could do with a younger RCB with a bit of pace, the same as Botman. That said, Schar does seem to be getting better with age, the sexy fucker. I think as we are now finding out. With the amount of injuries you get over a season and the rotation that is required at this level. Getting 2-3 starting quality outfield players would improve us much more at this stage of our progression as a team. Than replacing Pope for a keeper who isn't shit at kicking and may or may not be better at keeping the ball out the net.

Anyone got this snoozefest on? They genuinely didn’t have any highlights for the half time analysis. They just did 3-4 minutes on Harrison tapping one to the keeper. Then quickly went to another break Two absolutely brutal sides to watch. It’s harsh to say because of Europe last year and some of their finishes under him. But Moyes actually has some decent talent at his disposal. But still serves up depressing dross like this every week.

Aye. Bruno is usually quite good at it. But makes it too obvious at times. Longstaff wins a lot of fouls, too. But he is so unconvincing and needs to stop in the wrong areas. To the point where for Pope’s double save against Dortmund. He actually did get fouled. But it looked like a massive dive he was looking over his shoulder wanting the contact. Then seemed to go down like a mortgage.

I have plenty of Arsenal supporting mates and family and can confirm it is an absolute shitfest. Not sure how they or we compare to other clubs in that regard, mind. Or how much if it can be pinned on Silverstone.

Aye. Never thought I’d be looking forward to an international break FFS. Desperately need some players back fit. Just hope we can get through to then relatively unscathed and keep picking up results.

Didn’t Kamara sign at the start of last season? Not sure it is comparable to this season’s window myself. Seems like it would have meant breaking the wage structure pretty early on after the takeover. He would have been our highest earner by some way if the numbers are even remotely accurate. I think you can question the policy this window a bit, for sure. But I don’t think Kamara from last season feels like one that got away, personally.

Think Kamara is on decent wages? Might be able to pay certain players that now. But I don’t think we were in a position to at the time. £150k a week he’s reportedly on? I hear ya, though. A lot of the players we were constantly linked with are now looking really good. Szob, Maddison, Diaby….. Whilst we have Barnes injured and Tonali banned for the season.

Yep. 13/13 now. I think the same. As he’s taken a few iffy ones for us, last night included. But you can’t argue with his record. Thought he was an odd choice for MOTM. As I don’t even think he was our best player. I thought yet again, Schar was. Never mind some of their players. But I suppose he has got us a point and the first goal was great improvisation from him.

I’m guessing they will make a fair few changes and all? They’ve had injuries of their own and have also been playing in Europe. Plus they have the small task of dealing with City, today. Then after our game, the early KO on Saturday, followed by a trip to Denmark the week after. Like St1pe says. Not sure what sort of team we can actually put out. But Wilson, Bruno, Trippier, Schar will all come out, you’d have thought. Quite a few others look like they need a rest. But they will probably have to start as we are so light on numbers. Dummett, Hall, Targett, Livramento, Willock all to come in?

Not really looking so much at the current starting XI. But I think there are areas we should be spending money on before a new keeper, 100%. A midfielder who can play the deeper role in Howe’s system. As we currently only have one that can and I believe he is on record about wanting to play further forward. We certainly get caught out of late between the midfield and defence and all. Brighton, Dortmund, last night on the counter. A striker. Seeing as Isak has not stayed fit consistently since joining. Wilson has always had injury problems, supposedly can’t play two a week and will be 32 next season. An upgrade on/competition for Almiron. A centre back to rotate with Botman and Schar. In time, as we evolve. Of course Pope will get replaced. But I still think it is easier said than done when you look at keepers that have come in or moved around the league. As you will be upgrading some of his deficiencies, like his passing and kicking. But not necessarily the actual keeping the ball out of the net part.

Like Sa did? He could punch it. So he caught it. But then he didn’t and we scored? I honestly think we are looking for problems that don’t exist. Overall. I thought we were poor on the night and only got a second from a pen that never was. Didn’t control the game like we should have and left them open on numerous occasions. But we always have to have a scapegoat and someone to blame for our collective shitness. I’m guilty of it. I feel like I give Burn, Longstaff and Almiron unnecessary stick at times. But I am just not seeing it here with Pope.

Which mythical keeper? Sa? Like when he came for it, totally fucked it and we scored? Or perhaps Pope a couple of years ago when he tried to claim one, lost it and Wilson scored for our first win of the season? When I played, albeit at a much lower level than this. It was always respect the keeper’s decision and not to tell him what he should and shouldn’t be coming for. I know there are exceptions. But based on the schoolboy defending from Bruno, Burn and co after. I really don’t see how this as one of those. Just feels like we are going through a mini rough patch at the minute and we are looking for someone to blame. Typical football fans. Fickle as fuck. Myself included!

Wait, what? He’s getting stick for us conceding and not some of the clown show defending? Fucking hell. Made a couple of decent saves and some top claims to keep us in it. Decides to punch one and the whole team turn into ice skaters and he’s at fault. Righto.

Maybe he is a victim of his own success and has set the bar ridiculously high. But I feel like that is two games in a row where he has been miles off it. Felt like his passing and set pieces were crap on Wednesday. This game, he was going in for tackles but not taking the man or ball and hitting fresh air. Tough crowd, I know. As I still think technically. He is one of, if not the best player I have watched for us in my lifetime. But I thought it was noticeable how below par he has been this week.

Thought the same. Maupay is terrible and looked like he was running with a parachute/caravan connected to him, trailing along behind him. Proper running through treacle.

I skim read some piece the other day about when Abramovich first came in. Those transfers adjusted for inflation and today’s market are eye watering. They’ve been spending this kind of dough pretty much every summer since he took over. Now it’s even worse and it’s seemingly at random.

Chelsea losing never gets boring. I like Poch and all. But I can’t stand them. Had an irrational dislike for all things Chelsea for a long while.

See their fans are already giving Rooney shit. Totally understandable. Stupid decision by their owners.

Didn’t they pay like £40m for him, with a load of add ons to come, as well? I bet he would have wanted daft money and all. Not really surprised at all, personally.

Not sure the first two were realistic due to wages. But it is quite annoying seeing Szobslai, Maddison and then Nmecha on Wednesday all playing so well. When we have Tonali who understandably has struggled to settle and is now missing for a season.

Aye. Carragher sometimes comes across pretty well. Gobbing at people aside But with so many pundits. It all feels contrived for them to seem relatable, or worse, like they are deliberately playing a character. Like the whole comedy duo with Richards and Keane. Do me a favour. It’s vomit inducing. They’ve both become a parody of themselves, like so many on Sky.

I feel like until Botman is back. He won’t get a start in the league or CL. Think Howe wants to play the same back 5 as much as he can. Which I understand. But the attacking threat down the left with Targett there instead of Burn was night and day. I love BDB and he is a more solid defender and literally massive for us for set pieces and any switches or back post balls to his side. But if anything, he seems to be getting worse on the ball. He regularly just runs or passes it out of play of late. Burn will have his hands full against Neto today. But he is the more solid defensive option against him.

After Kane. He was your best player before doing his ACL, I thought.

Stuck record and I know everyone is saying it. But Ange really is quality and a breath of fresh air. I’m sure there are lots of ‘normal’ people in management. But none that seem to also be so talented and come across so well in the media.