Dr Jinx

Rabiot linked again.

Total maverick, sublime on his day but didn’t show it enough. The difference between him and Messi was that Messi has it in him to do all the same elite skill stuff but he could also play it simple and bring team mates into it. (ie not just playing for himself) Ben Arfa never quite grasped that. I don’t think he could be coached either. Can you imagine him trying to press under Howe?

He was relatively unknown then and teams either had totally underestimated him or hadn’t done any scouting on how to play against him. He’s not a terrible player by any means.. he’s had some cracking games for us but he’s not brave enough on the ball at times and his speed of thought I believe is affected by confidence issues. He sometimes waits too long to play that pass. I believe he’s just well scouted now and teams know how to stifle him.

My take on it is that the PSR debacle was blamed on herself and Mehrdad. Possibly too many legal cases around money involved with her too. the quotes when she left seemed all very amicable but it does appear she was blindsided.

There’s frustration and doubt setting in, at least with the supporters and the media who are feeding it. Best thing PIF could do right now is just give some reassurance that the ambitions haven’t changed and that there’s a plan to get there. Currently it’s starting to seem like we’re just existing again.. at a larger capacity to Mike Ashley’s NUFC but still, like we’re waiting for something to change. And while it doesn’t, those top 4 ambitions have slipped back now to top 6/7.

Based on what we’ve seen of Hall and Kelly this season, Targett has every right to think he can win his place back.

2/10 at best. 20m spunked on that Greek keeper apparently, it should really be 1/10. I really thought we’d sign someone.. even something underwhelming. Thats two shitty windows now.. back to back. We’re slipping backwards as all around us are strengthening.

This is why I think Howe’s position will become untenable. Results will eventually match the level of performances and Howe will face those sorts of questions about who’s to blame for the window.. he’s hardly going to take responsibility himself.

We should have had the guts of 80m to spend.. they chose not to. Deals to be made today and all through the window. But they didn’t. Whatever way you want to look at it, something doesn’t appear to be right with the club. Unfortunately for Howe, Mitchell is above him. So only one winner if they come to fall out.

Howe will be gone before Christmas. They just decided not to back him. Even sounds like we low balled the Guehi bids.. and more I think about it more it sounds like Mitchell leaked the bid to make it seem like we were trying to do something.

That land thing is a nice excuse for the club to say “look we woukd like to expand here but this issue is preventing us” before announcing a move elsewhere.

It’s a key position we need to upgrade. Pope’s kicking invites so much pressure back on us. It’s worse almost than the defenders who can’t play it out from the back.

Surely a midfielder has to be on the agenda now too.

Get in. We got lucky!

When it rains it pours.

We look like a poor side.. it’s more so how we’re set up than the personnel. Unbalanced and unable to control anything.

Some hit

Matt Targett is still the best left back at the club.

Our set routines have been honking so far this season.

He’s ice on his thigh.. it’s a knock/dead leg. Few days likely but will probably rule him out of Spurs

Stack will be there for 3 years. That will give a clue.

Somehow this deal is more dodgy than Boumsong. How long does he have to stay in the squad before he can be moved on?

it’s not, that’s the point. Can revert to 5 if under pressure. Trippier and Tonali can track back.. Joelinton moves in a bit. Barnes and Gordon can switch around up front but while in possession, Trippier needs to be involved as he was our most creative player last season, despite the loss of form.

Why? Explain why it wouldn’t work

He’s literally scored screamers from that position. Joelinton is better out wide, he’s not disciplined enough for CM. Barnes and Gordon could swap around all game. Who else is out of position?