Roids

That's my point though, all these hotspots are nothing like they were many moons ago. Not even at its worst have I felt unsafe in London, in more recent times it's borderline laughable to suggest so.

it generates headlines and satiates a gullible populace (while broadening the scope for more 'policing' and repressive governance) The worst parts of London - talking about 25yrs ago (Brixton, Hackney, Woolwich, Harrow amongst others) are markedly different to the present day. Londoner's know the truth, guess the rest of the country laps this shit up.

It's the laziest and most reductive of takes, footballer's should be able to ace bleep tests apparently, talent/ability be damned. Same people will naturally bemoan Murphy, Gordon & Elanga's mediocre performances without irony. The more rational take would be to imagine how much better HBA would have been for us under a competent manager and functional team instead of playing for a dinosaur who preferred the likes of Perch, Taylor & Guthrie to him.

technical ability always wins out

Forest parked the bus against us and we struggled till Bruno's strike, many other teams will do so especially at SJP. We'll face more low blocks than otherwise this season. We aren't the plucky underdogs of 3 seasons ago no one saw coming but rather a somewhat proven & recognised threat and will need to adjust accordingly

See you get it Hopefully they're monitoring Yamal's contract situation.

I'm not negating my argument as I'm not even making an argument My only point is that we'd be better served with those (attainable) level of players, unfortunately we couldn't get them, such is life The 50/50 games turn more to our side when you have wingers you can occasionally rely on not one season wonders, we don't happen to have them. Just highlighting areas for improvement in an otherwise good team/squad

Not sure why you keep trying to position me as a anti-Howe... If I'm not mistaken, our first target this summer was Mbuemo, we also went for Ekitike and Pedro. Would read to me like Howe similarly wants to elevate our forward line with greater technique but had to settle for lesser alternatives.

He's the weakest of the 3 but still important. None of them get rotated so invariably you get dips in form due to physical/mental fatigue, he seems to be the most prone. Victim of our lack of depth in that area. Squad's otherwise pretty solid.

Can't believe I'm at the point where I'd be calling for him as a starter but here we are. Elanga can have the away games.

Pacy, techy CB. I used to pray for times like this.

Needs a new contract, along with Tonali Hopefully the execs have learned a thing or two from the Isak saga

You can have speed and tech, they aren't mutually exclusive. We already have a few (Tonali, Livra, Thiaw) Don't make unwarranted assumptions, I have no issues with Howe's style, he's been great here from day one. I want better for the team and that involves wanting better talent not limited players.

we need speed plus technique (Kudus, Mbuemo etc) Technique being key, our fullbacks & CBs have it, our CMs have it but it's lacking on the wings

Got griefed for this inconsequential post by the same contingent who were clamouring for DCL, was also told he was better than Kudus. Both our wingers are limited speed merchants, puts a ceiling on what the team ultimately achieve. It is what it is.

We don't have any real offensive threat as things stand while Arsenal are typically stingy in defence. Odds are likely fair. Hope they start Merino in midfield, boosts our chances significantly

He should likely get at the very least 20 appearances this season due to the fixtures and inevitable injuries. He's a kid playing in arguably the most difficult position to bed in youngster. Guys like Cesc & Lamine who can come in ready as youngsters are extremly rare. For the most part he's done very well when playing, looking forward to watching his development through the years

Happy that he rotated so much for Bournemouth (bodes well we were able to do so with Wissa & Ramsey missing) We actually have a decent squad bar the 9 position, we probably lose that if the same guys from Thurs played. The aforementioned will be such great additions though I fear Ramsey is the type to go in and out injury

I struggle to foresee anything bar us getting cooked in this game. Nasty fixture to have post midweek.

I'm both excited & scared for this match up, they either blitz us or we get a result, no middle ground.

Schar would be my choice

It's not a strawman "subject to some of the worst human rights abuses imaginable. " I'll have to take your word for it, ample documented evidence to your quote however exists for the USA & Israel. Pesky issue of narratives against facts

best player I've ever seen in the black & white

Please list the top 10 murderous nations in the world over the last 10/50/100 years. Let me know where NK ranks (and where your noble, morally good fav countries do in comparison)

No different to any country. In the UK for instance, people protesting Palestine are labelled 'terrorists', imprisoned and have their lives ruined, what a free and liberated society. You're right about the second half, most (myself included) know little about NK. Most however will happily and uncritically accept all the propaganda they've been fed since birth.