Erikse

We've had a slow start to the season the last 2 seasons before this one. I think we got 9 points in the first 8 games or so when we finished 4th. Last season we had 3 in 4, although that was some tough fixtures. Was hoping that this would change this time around, but we tend to find form after the opening fixtures.

I liked how Burn took out the goalkeeper, but tell Joelinton to maybe be a tiny bit more careful next time.

I got a heart attack when he went down holding his achilles..

In that case I feel sorry for Man Utd fans constanly having to listen to Keane and Neville allways being critical about Man Utd. This is nothing compared to that. PS: I will never actually feel sorry for Man Utd fans.

Not trying to be negative, just trying to be realistic about the Guehi deal in isolation.. I didn't say anything about not signing anyone being the end of the world either, you're making that up if that's directed towards me. Sorry for not being overly positive and biased, I guess..

Them losing the first 2 games probably doesn't help us either. The only similarity is that both are captains and british, the rest is very different.

Kind of feels like he's going to have a mediocre or bad season if we don't sign him, and Palace will deeply regret it. The problem for them now is that there is not much time left to get a replacement if they sell.

He's kind of right though. I was also really annoyed about people (Arsenal fans especially) believing the media regarding Bruno "waving goodbye to the fans" bullshit. Players doesn't wave goodbye before a deal has been agreed or they are officially leaving. That's unprofessional, and could harm negotiations. Lets not fall down to Arsenal fans level.

Set pieces is a strange one with us. There are periods of the season where we are set piece kings, and there are other periods of the season where our set pieces are near useless.

But what about the xA?

You know what the solution to lack of game time is? Not more lack of game time, that's for sure..

His G/A record from left back is pretty much non existent. For Bournemouth while playing left back he recorded 1 goal in the cup, and 1 goal + 1 assist in the Championship. That's it. I haven't seen much of him, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that he's great going forward.

I don't think that being defensive is necessarily better when playing away from home. If we sit deep and let them play their game like we did in the first half, we're basically just waiting for them to score first. In the 22/23 season we did well away from home by being fearless, not by being scared and defensive minded. We did play Burn at LB that season, mind, which is not exactly an offensive choice anyways.. But we didn't look as defensive overall imo, which might just be due to tactics.

I don't think many has forgotten that. But we know there is a better player in there somewhere, atleast that's the impression. And right now we need that player. Can't be much worse than what Longstaff is doing these days anyways.

For what it's worth, he started in the first game when we signed him. Which went really well to say the least.

He's back.

I agree. We could use his pace there. Burn shouldn't be starting for us anymore IMO, unless there are even more injuries.

Ffs Joe.......

It does hit his lower arm aswell, doesn't it?

We're not a mid table squad that needs to make the best out of the little that we've got anymore. I don't see the problem with playing 2 attacking fullbacks personally. Most teams does. It's not like Livra sucks defensively either. We're supposed to dominate some of the teams in the league, and having fullbacks that are great with the ball is a part of that.

We'll end up with an entire squad of former Bournemouth players.

As Pep once said, you constanly have to change the team. Even if that means that some sacrifices has to be made. Not sure if that includes selling Bruno, mind. It's pretty complicated, isn't it.. But, it's too early to jump to conclusions anyways.

Is it really going to be another season of horrible away form.. Our away form was incredible in the 22/23 season, what happened?

I guess "benched" was not the right word to use, but I was just replying to your post saying "because he isn't starting every week". I actually think he won't be starting at all bar cup games, unless there are injuries and such. But ofcourse this is more of a guess than anything.

This is just an assumption more than anything else, but I wouldn't be surprised if Hall is being benched by default in every league game going forward, unless there are more injuries.