Lush Vlad

Maybe not realistic. As I’m sure all the big boys will be in for him and the fee and wages might be too steep for us. But Rice would be unbelievable in our midfield. He was absolutely class tonight.

I thought he was really good and much better on the ball than usual. I felt at times he wanted an extra touch and looked at the pass between the lines or the diagonal. But chose not to play it. Not even that mad, as he probably thought it better to retain possession than risk it. Plus I’m probably just being harsh. As we’re used to seeing Bruno in those positions and he’d attempt and probably complete the pass.

What was the other one, Spurs? Can imagine we will be analysing and correcting that this week!

I’d imagine Schar was much worse with his passing stats but I remember Botman giving it straight to West Ham to set them on the counter a couple of times. Then the one near the end where he just hammered it straight off and nobody was within 30 yards of the ball. He was quality, as always. Just think there were a few sloppy moments. Which is unlike him.

His defending is still quality. But he is really annoying me on the ball now. Not his fault, he is out of position and has filled in admirably and been quality most the time. But I feel like teams are happy to press and mark other areas and leave him as the only easy out ball from the back. As he is just slow with it, gets caught in possession and his passing is often risky or inaccurate. He played 2-3 horrendous passes inside tonight that could have cost us a goal. Really risky and were never on. I know we want to build from the back. But we are nor afraid to play the percentages and go direct quite a lot. So when he plays those passes, I find it odd.

A few stray passes. But he was quality when left one on one v Antonio. Certainly seems quicker than I thought he was. But possibly more down to how good his positioning and anticipation are.

I know we have a set shape for pressing and these passing patterns or whatever they’re called. But I really like when he drifts infield, playing a quick one-two and going diagonally across the pitch. Or even when he comes right across to the left off the ball. He’s done the latter a few times of late. Wish he’d do it a bit more. As he is just getting marked out the game staying wide right and feels like we’ve been sussed there.

I thought he was really good tonight. The dive was pathetic and he’s a walking yellow card. But he was regularly sweeping up, was happy to receive the ball when being tightly marked and he usually turned out of trouble and found space. Paqueta was desperate to be his mate Rice was also being all pally with him. Everyone is scared of him, I reckon.

Can’t fault his workrate today tracking back. But he is reluctant to run in behind off the ball and I actually think at times. He is looking for a pass, when I think he has a chance to get at his man. It doesn’t help that it was usually Willock or Burn looking to play the ball to him. As they are not great at passing. Love the bloke. But just feels like he’ll be off in the summer.

His passing seemed sharp and snappy. Always looked to play it and then move. Quite a few of our players are slow to shift it on. Always wanting an extra touch or just undercooking the pass. Promising 20 mins from him. Probably get longer next week. Then I reckon he’ll start against Liverpool. Unless ASM suddenly clicks and offers a bit more than he did today.

Struggled against another team who sit in. Although unlike a lot of weeks. They carried a threat on the counter and were the better team first half. Gordon looked sharp when he came on. Really crisp, incisive passing. I thought Longstaff and Big Joe (despite a massive dive) were also quality. They were good at overloading the flanks and we never really got going out wide. The left side in particular was terrible.

Second half was better. But we are too direct at times. Don’t have enough nous to break teams down. Another game without defeat. But racking up too many draws.

A bit flat for a lot of that half. Looks like we are struggling to get to grips with their formation. 1-0 should have been perfect for us. As they had to push on. But we didn’t really look threatening on the counter. Been a bit better since the goal and they have also reverted back to sitting in. Midfield looks a bit weak at times. Willock is allergic to headers.

WTF is going on

Hinchcliffe again, FFS Can’t get away from the cunt.

February and the wheels are creaking on Arsenal’s title challenge? Seen this before!

I said I thought Murphy would start this game. But I hope I am wrong and all the Twitter rumours are just BS and guesswork. Some massive revisionism going on about his performances this season on social media. He’s been pretty much awful. But because he loves it here and he is our super shithouse sub. He seems to be getting a bit of praise.

Fulham deserved that. They graft their bollocks off and are hard to play against. Glad we have got both games against them out the way.

He signed a 5 year deal, he has been tearing it up all season and prices are getting more and more out of hand. If he was to be sold. Not a chance he moves for £35m, IMO.

True. But individually I thought he looked past it, after a decent game or two to start. Seemed totally shot and I think their fans were fed up with him and all. He was early in the Arteta revoltution, I suppose. Looks like prime Willian from his Chelsea days, this season.

How much you reckon? £50-60m plus?

His touch is unreal. The quick feet and little drop of the shoulder basically always works. No idea how he was so bad for Arsenal and is now doing this again. Like a different player.

Chelsea have spen what, 400-500 million quid this season? Yet they still don’t have a genuine striker. I know Broja is injured. But not sure he counts for a club of their stature.

Started more attacking/box to box, I think. Mainly played in the deeper role for Argentina in the WC.

Not sure what is more impressive. His flawless first touch from a crossfield ball. Or the way he conducts himself. Smooth operator on and off the pitch.