KingArthur

Again there is loads of space infront of our back 4 when we lose the ball.

I don't get this reaction for Targett. Of course 18-year-old new signing will not start over him. Our problems are elsewhere.

It was Gouffran or someone who was deemed to stand in goalkeepers line of sight. Ridiculous decision that also, no one was saving that hit.

I think it was a right call. Didn't touch the ball, and tried to get out of the way.

We went for the future rather than present need. I think we will see the benefits of this window from 2-3 years, but at the moment it could have been better. 8-9. Can see that club clearly tries to build long term.

Gordon was said to be overpriced when we paid 45 million, but a year younger Palmer with very little to show for is not? Might become a good player, but no chance for a breakthrough at that City team.

I think he has started to decline a bit. More of a creator and less a dribbler. I can't say who is better right winger to be fair, seems most highly rated ones are LW.

That is why I think that "story of the summer" is BS

He does not seem to be fit? Was injured most of last season iirc. He is a creative player, but not certain he is good enough.

Why would we be after ESR? He is a bench option here also. Like the player but no need for him.

Lol, most likely Felix on loan again or similar. Why on Earth would Musiala switch to Chelsea?

Liverpool fans seem to be rating him highly. Never seen the lad play tbh..

Refs are in shit situation with these new rules. Like, they cannot supervise the technical area rule 100% like it was first advertised, and same goes for waving the imaginary yellow card. They have to use common sense also.

Sadly this is very true for many football fans. People seem to expect, not hope or dream, for us to end up in top 4. To regularly make it to top4 requires top coaching and resources. We have 1/2. Other teams also have top coaching, but 6 of them also have more resources. Last year was a off year for Chelsea and Spurs for example, but they will be up there again, maybe not this year but next one at least. If we make it to top6 and through the UCL group stage, it has been a great season. That means we have beaten some top clubs and are progressing. People seem to forget reality and base their expectations solely on last seasons performance. It is same for Liverpool fans, who keep saying "Liverpool deserve to be in the title race" after 2-3 great seasons. They are way behind City or even Arsenal, but because they won it few years ago, now they deserve to be there...

He will cost something like 20 million for a season loan. No way.

I have to remember that I don't remember him I think after the red card the game was a bit like our games against Fulham or Southampton. They were sitting back and we couldn't create enough. Just that when they had a counter attack, instead of Mitrovic or Adam Armstrong, it's Mo Salah and Nunez. And even Fulham and Southampton could hurt us on the counter..

This does not solve the issue when we have possession. Joelinton is a ball winner and an aggressive forward looking midfielder. We would need someone in the mold of Fabinho. Who can break up play, play the easy pass and defend the are in front of our back 4. When we lose the ball there is sometimes acres of space in front of our CBs. And that is because usually Bruno is not there, or he is the one losing the ball. A solid DM would allow our full backs to push up and wingers to come inside. Prime Cheick Tiote would be great there.

He was good yesterday, problem is A) he has no recovery pace B) he sometimes keeps the ball too long. You can clearly see he is not a no 6 in traditional way. it benefits us that he can play those nice passes to tight areas, but it would be more useful to have him higher and receiving the ball in tight spaces, winning free kicks etc. Still think our tactic with 3 box-to-box midfielders is not the best way.

Exactly. He was (and often is) clearly told to occupy CBs and run behind when possible, but it just didn't work.

He should have dropped of to collect to ball and draw the centreback with him. That would have made it easier to create space

I think he is not a player against deep defences. And without Willock, he seems to be very isolated. Against City 2 defenders always on his back, same against Liverpool.

He was very good. Will be helped a lot when there is Hall playing behind him and attacking the space Gordon creates when he comes inside.

Thing is, players like Barnes do not help us unlock deep defences. I see no point bringing him on in this game. Liverpool were comfortable with him having the ball and our creativity was gone.

We are lacking players who move to pockets and like to receive the ball between lines. Isak comes deep to collect sometimes, but it makes us predictable to play. Andersson wanted for the ball when he came on, but others are just hiding. Tonali and Bruno deep and Joelinton not showing for the ball or not calm with it.

Barnes was woeful. Should have played Wilson through. We really were sloppy in midfield. No point taking Tonali off.