r0cafella

Did anyone see a replay of Defoes attempt which led to the corner? Watching live he looked offside.

Ate thought this too, he was the stand out player for me.

I think as Perez in this system as I do Kuyt in Liverpool’s system under Rafa, primarily defensive who’s objective is to close down and apply pressure to the oppositions pivots and secondarily make runs to support the striker. Sure we could try Ritchie in this role but I’m not sure our other wingers are disciplined enough defensively to protect our fullbacks. This is what I believe is Rafa’s thinking.

Even his work rate didn’t appear to be as high as it has been which has been the justification for him playing. Hopefully he can pick it up for Saturday as we are stuck with what we have.

Pretty much. We lost an extremely tight match yesterday, we know Rafa is organised and this is why Burnley created so little, we could try and be more expansive but that would leave more space for the home side to exploit. Hopefully we can improve things in January get some players in more suited to a counter attacking style.

You have a very short memory of that is the case. People have already forgotten how bad it was under Pardew etc.

Joselu is a better football than Mitrovic imo. Our style of play doesn’t suit either of them mind. Too bad Gayle still hasn’t recovered mentally from his injury last season.

Everything is pretty much tainted already Dave to be honest. If the speculation is true And we are planning to spend these crazy sums renaming the stadium would allow us some breathing room where FFP is concerned. Apart from everything that isn't, like our current stadium name. It’s already been renamed once mind.

Everything is pretty much tainted already Dave to be honest. If the speculation is true And we are planning to spend these crazy sums renaming the stadium would allow us some breathing room where FFP is concerned.

Not sure how any director of football would be a good ideal given how hands on Rafa is.

Can't remember that I must admit, but I thought he was one of our better players today. I think he and Merino will make a very decent pairing in time. The key to the their play - and arguably the entire team - will be that upgrade to Ayoze. Didn’t get up to support our initial attack then didn’t get back, at all, just stood there pointing at someone else to cover our right side and then threw a little hissy when we ended up on the back foot. Not sure he’ll ever cut this stuff out, so I guess I’ll just have to accept it.

Thought it odd someone like Arsenal or Liverpool weren't in for him, maybe had been lined up by Juve for ages and not going anywhere else They tried to buy him last summer as well so it's been in the works for awhile.

We need another striker desperately if this is true.

Yup he was.

Should be riots when he eventually walks the first manager we've had who actually has a vision and long term ambition instead we will have people celebrating and picking on the smallest faults to a prove a point which they can't even validate. The only winner is Ashley his divide and conquer strategy is working a charm what shirt memories and little faith we have.

Untouchable for 3 games We aren't fickle at all

Didn't go two upfront so didn't go for it. Stop it with the fake news disco.

How did he make a pigs ear of the game against Spurs exactly? Was negative shite from minute 1. To be fair as far as your concerned we have the complete wrong manager.

He can buy better players... #wait

Funny thing is if we'd have played a full side tonight and had a repeat of spurs a couple of injuries and a sending off Rafa would have been the fool as well.

Of-course zilch of getting anyone better, but criticising him doesn't mean you want him gone ASAP. Still think tonight's team selection was a mistake. But doesn't the pissing and moan become pointless and completely counter productive and push us into the arms of some dogshit PFA such as Pearson? I mean our best hope would be who Allardyce? Rafa isn't perfect I get that but the bigger picture is he's being absolutely hobbled. No. Because us moaning won't make any difference to who'm the manager is. Given Rafa is pretty much only here because of the fans I'd beg to differ. Weren't sack Pardew partly responsible for Pardew demise?

Sorry to say, but he has a point like and I've said basically the same in the pre match thread. Rafa will come under pressure for this team selection, no doubt. It's double standards otherwise, can't criticise one manager for doing it and not another. Rafa probably thought they were good enough to get through. The media didn't say fuck all when Pardew did this with a stronger squad.

Of-course zilch of getting anyone better, but criticising him doesn't mean you want him gone ASAP. Still think tonight's team selection was a mistake. But doesn't the pissing and moan become pointless and completely counter productive and push us into the arms of some dogshit PFA such as Pearson? I mean our best hope would be who Allardyce? Rafa isn't perfect I get that but the bigger picture is he's being absolutely hobbled.

Before the rage starts, people do realise we have very little chance of getting anyone better than Rafa particularly under Ashley...right?