Infinitely Content

Don't even think that was Barca at their very best tbh, but they were still the most creative, incisive and composed team we've played in a while imo. That young side would blitz the Premier League. No idea what happened to us, but it seems we just lost our heads and folded under the pressure and gulf in quality. Scoreline is difficult, individual errors were present, but over the two games I have no complaints about the team as a collective.

Thank you for the mercy whistle ref. I am happy for Aitana Bonmati, at least.

Surrounded by Barca fans at the place I teach here as well. And I might have been defiantly praising and lauding us to the students since last week's performance. Serves me right I suppose

Beautiful football from Yamal, but really not sure about Thiaw there. Felt he could have either cut the pass out or got a block in for the finish. Lazy.

That pass round the corner Barca keep trying is class tbh. The movement and touch is so far ahead of what you see in the premier league from even the top teams.

Burn is a much better choice than Botman in a game like this imo. And any other game tbh. Burn offers certain intangibles that are crucial.

That forum gave me a virus on my work laptop last year before the league stage game and I lost my job because of it. Fuck Barca tbh.

Villa were a brilliant side to watch a few years ago. The quality of their play has decreased season upon season, same as us really.

I was of the opinion that I'd rather a season with just the 3 domestic competitions unless we could make the europa league. However after seeing FC Iberia in those projected tables, I'm all for it. Their ground is 5 minutes walk from my apartment and they're absolutely shite.

Slot is a bottom half manager at very best, and that's being generous. Worst premier league winning team and manager of all time by a distance. Called it in his first season here too when things were rosy.

Well played King

Stunned they haven't gave one of these as pens

Played Willock

Tino is miles ahead of O'Reilly as a left back too tbh.

He's not, and even when he does he's levels below Hall.

Nuno Mendes is incredible like, but Hall is in that bracket for sure. Defensively I think Ferland Mendy is the best but he's never fit.

Was watching Nico O'Reilly for City last night, he was absolutely awful - I'm sure he's a really good midfielder, but never in a million years is he a full back. And Skelly shouldn't even be in the conversation. Hall is miles ahead of all the competition at left back for England, should honestly be the easiest position to select for after Pickford, Rice and Kane.

In my opinion of course: Kvaratskhelia, Yamal, Dembele, Salah, Doue, Saka, Raphina, Olise, Barcola thats 9, a year or so ago I’d say Rodrygo was better too, better finisher, better dribbler providing more important moments. The point being Vinicius is a great player, but overrated as he’s not one of the best in the world from what I’ve seen of him.

Still of the opinion that Vinicius is one of the most overrated players around. Not sure he's even top 10 wingers in the world never mind one of the best players in the world generally.

Valverde's is one of the best hat-tricks I recall seeing, especially given the occasion.

Valverde is unreal.

Favourite (born in 1992 so the players I'm selecting from is like 2000 onwards): Given Trippier Schar Burn Hall Bruno Cabaye Joelinton Ben Arfa Shearer Robert Was tempted by Remy, Ba and Wilson at CF, as Shearer kind of annoys me with his shite punditry nowadays. In fact aye, Ba. Special mention for Murphy & Barnes too, but obviously Hatem & Robert. These lists we're much more difficult a 4-5 years ago, this current squad has made it very easy, not only are they generally all really likeable, but they're also the most successful team in most of our lifetimes.

Proud of that performance, watched amongst the Barca fan club of Tbilisi in their bar with 2 Newcastle supporting Georgians. https://streamable.com/w7s2x3

Anything but Gordon up top is dysfunctional at the moment. Our only chance is to beat them with running, intensity, pressing and physical dominance. If one player is unable to do it, the whole thing falls apart, so Woltemade can't play here.

Having good feet and the occasional nice first touch pass just isn't anywhere near enough. Those things have to be paired with a physical/mental attribute such as strength, pace or at the very least tenacity to be effective imo. Of course there are many successful players who have relied on technique alone, but rarely are they premier league players - more likely la liga. We don't even know if he's a decent finisher because he barely got chances beyond the unsustainable scoring run he went on early on in his time here - which was partly the fault of his movement and instincts and partly the fault of the team being terrible at creating chances for him. From what I've seen though, I don't think he's a particularly good striker of the ball like Osula or Barnes are for instance. I believe that him being a bit of an anomaly and so unique in terms of his height and technique buy him a lot of favour, if he was a 5'9 forward with the same attributes and flaws, he'd have probably been written off a while ago as nowhere near good enough for us. We also have no idea what position he plays, and nor does Eddie by the looks of it. For me, he has so few strengths and so many massive weaknesses in essential parts of the game, that at 24 years old it's highly unlikely he will develop them enough here in order to make it as a premier league player.