WilliamPS

Chelsea haven’t strengthened that much despite the outlay as their transfer management has been so poor - losing Christensen, Alonso and Rudiger for nothing. basically 180m to get back where they started.

It’s touch and go. Season isn’t even at halfway mark. To get top 4 the form from the last 16 games has to last for another 22, that’s a big ask from the players and from a relatively shallow squad. It also means winning the home 6 pointers against Tottenham and Man Utd at least. But it’s not impossible and winning the first two games since the World Cup has restored the momentum

I just can’t hope West Ham win, such a bunch of miserables

If it’s illness it’s just bad luck for Wilson - he’s got kids and right now schools and nurseries are absolutely riddled with sickness so no shock if he’s picked something up. ASM is a top player and the grief he is getting is bizarre. Managing his fitness will be tricky given Howe will want his contribution for Leeds and Arsenal so we shall see when he gets off the bench.

If ASM plays having Joelinton behind him works really well -off the ball Joelinton covers the defensive duties so well ASM can be left high up the pitch as a great outlet on the break. In possession, teams doubling up on ASM gives Joelinton space for his driving runs. I don’t think the willock/ASM combination would work as well.

Spot on. England have the players, this time Southgate got the tactics and selection spot on. But the team doesn’t have the ruthlessness of winners. Compre with the England cricket team, who now consistently over perform in the high stress high stakes scenarios as they have the winning mentality.

Now they have binned off Ronaldo, Portugal are undervalued. No way they’d be an easy semi for France or England. If England and France have an absolute battle, say 120 mins + pens, and Portugal have an easier time against Morocco, Portugal will fancy it. Good midfielders, good goalie and now appear to be getting goals.

Spending a month in a training camp in Qatar when you’ve no hope of playing probably isn’t for everyone - doubt there’s much more to it than that Brazil and France have done well to get everyone some pitch time

Netherlands Argentina looks quite evenly matched, looking forward to it, but don’t think either looks like being the overall winner. Two sides with a few v good players but they’re both uneven

Unless there are personality issues I wouldn’t listen to any offers in January - the squad just isn’t deep enough.

Tbh if you dig out the threads from the Sweden games, Croatia and Italy you’d see the same issues - England have relied on set pieces or one off moves down the flanks for goals. The midfield has always been poor, although what’s worse this time is he has options (unlike in 2018) With Southgate I think the most they can be hoped for are minor player changes - likely Sterling out for Grealish or Foden. I would like to see a move from the 4231 to 433 to get the midfield functioning and get players closer to Rice but this is probably too big an ask (comically small change as it is!)

Southgate has such form in refusing to change things when a game isn’t going well it just sets people off - England lost the euros final partly as he refused to adapt so not really surprising Sending Henderson on to save the day is pure WUM

it is time

I hadn’t realised what a curse being the short sponsor is; Newcastle Breweries - gone Ntl - gone Northern Rock - gone Wonga - gone Dont tell Saudi airlines….

I’ve sympathy for (and share) the view that the club and PIF are separate and people can hold that distinction so support one and not the other. Zero sympathy with the nonsense that because “it’s Saudi culture” the Saudis can’t be criticised for their abysmal human rights approach. Not sure the people being bombed / executed see it as their culture. The regime oppresses the citizens to stay in power - that’s how dictatorships work.

Behave

Can’t bear Chappers, have to switch the radio off when he’s presenting, he’s desperate to become some sort of celebrity character presenter and has utterly shit ‘banter’

Still at a tournament with a match day squad every 4 days vs. on holidays

A lot of the squad are about to get a month long break, so any rotation needs to consider that. No reason to rest Almiron or Willock for example as they’re quite capable of playing 2 games a week as a one off and will be on the beach this time next week. Joelinton has just had a week off. Trippier, Wilson and Bruno are the only players I’d consider resting as they are going to have hard schedules from now until May.

Need an extra GK who can serve as an adequate backup to Pope. Letting Dubs go was a big risk and it still needs resolving. If on course for Europe can maybe get someone in with the promise of cup and some European games, which might raise the bar on what is possible. Not sure I’d wait until summer on this one.

It has taken other teams years to get the consistency needed to finish top six. The squad is not deep so if there’s a loss of form for some players or they just need a rest there’s not much behind. Under Robson in the CL challenger years there was a tale off in March or so as the squad didn’t have the depth and some players were simply knackered. Enjoy the wins and hope they keep coming

It’s been made clear the January transfers were about staying up and acting quickly, it wasn’t about long term planning. Pope came in over the summer but as a GK it’s a bit different. I’d expect new signings to be more like Botman and Isak in age profile - and you see that in the bids over the summer, Maddison (25), Joao Pedro (21), Diaby (23), Ekitike (20). Doubt the plan is to buy players who are at their peak now, instead it’ll be to bring in younger players who can have long careers at the club

Trossard will be 28 in December, I don’t think he fits the profile I don’t expect a move for anyone over 25

Let’s see where we are at the break. Finishing 6th requires one of the top 6 to under perform as well as Newcastle to keep the pace up for 38 games, and the squad is much thinner than the top 6 clubs squads - we’ve seen the bench at times. In previous years when it’s just been avoiding relegation you only need to play well for 10-15 games a year, 38 games requires new levels of consistency. However would be class to vault the Conference League and go into the Europa League

Er…no he won’t be sold. Trying to build a squad here! You going into any player thread and whoever it is someone is suggesting they get sold next summer, it’s crazy He’ll probably get plenty of games this season due to injuries or form, and next season if there’s Europe there’ll be a lot of chances for everyone on the squad.