King Kante

Pep always out Pep's himself in the CL. What I find amazing in football talk, is just how much football fans don't realise Pep is incredibly aspergers. That bloke romps leagues with tactical genius because he is able in league seasons to largely size up the opposition, exploit their weakness and build his teams to exploit all those weaknesses over 38 games. He is the expert at bigger picture as he tries to play 'two steps ahead' the whole time (which he can do over longer periods.) Where Pep comes underdone is in the micro situations/cup games. I bet since TT got the Bayern job, he has barely slept pulling a 'beautiful mind' kind of tactical wall together to try and outsmart TT, whereas TT is probably spending his free time trying to bang the youngest Nanny he can find and get some of the best blow. Then when it comes to game time Pep loses his team on what they are meant to do as he has decided Grealish will be best in a DM position to deal with the counter press in the 76th minute, whereas most other managers tell their players to continue to do what they normally do and what out for x,y and z etc. As for JN as a whole, I think he is probably Pep lite. He loves the tactical analysis but does have the obession/focus of Pep. Hence, he'll always run a guy like that close in a league season, but won't ever beat him over a league season, but equally get a good run on him in the cups whilst also beating most managers. For me, that is probably the best we can ask for as I don't see many other Pep's out their due to his condition.

This is the problem with looking at stats in isolation. The difference between Kepa and TC are incredibly stark. I believe if you go to a full break down of all stats between Kepa and TC it becomes apprantly clear why TC is an elite GK and Kepa is a GK where you struggle to find another PL who would take him as their No.1. Kepa has far too limitations as a GK from the swinging of his hands behind his back before attempting a save (which cause his 'weak wrists') to his physical limitations to long range shots (which is why Tielmanns said after the FA Cup final of '21, that he only took on such a long shot against him as he cannot reach into the far corners; hence why his save percentage to long range shots is dire; I think at that point he has zero saves to shots for 25 yards or more to his top left hand corner in three years) to TC who had difficulty in his early part of his career to ground shots (hence the memes of him having his legs wide open) due to his height (which he has largely resolved by standing in a more statuesque fashion when dealing with 121's.) This is the thing. There have been a lot of posters on here who dropped to their knees and swallowed anything the hipster pundits put in front of them (particularly that 433 or that a back 4 brings you results) without looking to what our actual sqauds strengths are, which is clearly a back 3 and pushing James/Chilwell on. As a result, when playing a back 3, they would always jump on the weakest link (Mendy's ball playing abilities or, when he was here, Alonso's acceleration.) However, what is lost in all of this is that if you have a ball playing CCB (see Silva or Fofana and particularly a pressure resistant No.6 who can shift the ball very quickly under pressure (see Enzo and Kova)) there is no real need for a ball playing GK (if that means the basics of GK play is undermined) as the GK always has a passer on and can lay off fairly easily (something Mendy can do faily reasonably.) Not true. If you play a back three and you have both a ball playing CCB and a No.6 who can avoid the press by quick releases, the GK's ability to play with their feet is greatly reduced and their aerial abilities is much more valued as set pieces become a lot less fraught. All of Mendy's massive mistakes came when he essentially didn't have Kova as a secondary outlet to Silva. Mendy was at his best when he knew he had players he could play to when he knew they would face pressure quickly. Hence, why he always played well in teams who lined up with Kova and Silva in them and less so when one was missing.

Mendy isn't great with his feet. However, with a 343 formation the need to play back to the GK is a lot more limited than in a back 4, especially if you know the GK is vulnerable with the ball at his feet. I agree that either are the answer, but going forward this season Mendy needs to come back. Yes, Memdy does make mistakes but his mistakes can be mitigated against a lot more than Kepa's. Since the turn of the year Kepa has: Got lost at sea for Fulham's second when away. Like a coward, refused to collect a ball across the ground against City, in case he got clattered. Yet again, palmed one in against Everton. I think I have also forgotten another one. However, this is also before we get to the fact that he is woeful at saving shots travelling to his top corner from distance. Fortunately, teams haven't been doing this much recently but we certainly cannot afford Real start doing that in the QF.

Got to get Mendy back in the goal. Kepa is too small and weak and teams are waking up to this again. Mendy has his limitations but those limitations are not as problematic as Kepa's.

I remember Simon Jordan saying on TS that he heard something about TT and that Chelsea were right to get rid of instantly. Seems whatever it is, he is trying to suppress it from becoming public.

Possibly. He was very good there. However, there have been some hints recently that he has had personal problems off the pitch. So, some of his form/confidence could be down to that also.

Nah, 343 is by far and away our best formation if we want to get actual results. I know a 4atb has been a dream of many for years as our solution but the fact of the matters is that every time we have played it in the past 7-8 years now - for a significant amount of time - we have suffered as a result. 2015-16 - Finished 10th and were disjointed the whole season. 2018-19 - Couldn't control the midfield properly without resorting to sideways passing the entire time 2019-mid 2021 - Couldn't prevent counter attacks/deal with teams overrunning our midfield. Late 2022 - Now - Cannot create chances and barely win a game. Our problem is that 3atb is the only system that for the past 7-8 years has produced any consistency and I believe it has become ingrained. 4atb has cost Jose, Sarri and SFL there jobs and Potter looks next. We cannot keep saying that 4atb is failing because of the manager and not the system. Additionally, two of of most consistent players - James and Chilwell - thrive best as WB's and we have only looked good in the past three years when they, along with Kante, have been playing well. At this point, I really cannot see the logic in playing 4atb as it has failed again and again. Trev will just have to come in and replace Badman. For me the team should be: Kepa Trev Fofana KK James Enzo Kova Chilwell Felix Havetz Sterling Arguments can be had for RLC and MM/Ziyech for Kova and Sterling but I give the nod to those two simply because we need the European/big game experience, especially without Silva.

The owners really need to get a grip on this situation. It all looks a bit toxic atm. If this isn't sorted soon e.g. Potter being replaced, then this form will continue into next season.

We aren’t beating Dortmund with Potter.

He is out of his depth. No coherent strategy whatsoever.

Kai best position is the 10, so I don't think he is playing the CF role. I reckon it may be 4231 with Felix upfront. Also not discounting 433 with Kai in the 8 or 424 as you suggest. Although to be fair, 424/4231 can be fairly fluid.

Todd is going to look a right clown if we don't get Enzo and have sold Jorgi. Our CM will be very depleted.

Not getting the point of loaning Ziyech, unless there is a obligatory buy in the loan. I have to be honest and say, whilst I haven't ever really rated him, Potter has started to use him as he always should've been used and he is now getting a lot more time to whip his crosses in. Additionally, with our injury list, not sure we can afford to go down to such bare bones options in AM, especially as that kid from PSV is a perma-crock.

It doesn't really matter what he was worth 6-18 months ago. The thing is, he had suitors that were going to pay something similar; sure we may have gone higher but he was sought after. I mean, I remember when 'Arry was going to sell Bale for £5m one Summer at Spuds, then six months later he was worth £50m and 24 months later he went for £88m. That is just the way of things, sometimes players just explode. Felix and Benfica was another the season before he exploded, he wasn't spoken about. 12 months later, bam €120m. Personally, I haven't seen enough of the MM to say if he is worth it or not, but figures going crazy after a few months isn't out of the ordinary. As for the Summer, firstly TB was learning on the job. Secondly, we were in a real hole. Granny completely fecked up the AC/Rudiger situation and every Tom, Dick and Harry knew we were essentially straped down ready for a shafting. Could we have targeted better players, sure but I do imagine any CB discussions were difficult with other clubs. Additionally, this is probably were TT lost TB and didn't help enough. I did have doubts about KK in the PL but equally we were absolutely crying out for CB's. As for Cucu, City went to £50m didn't they? Additionally, he just had a good season in the league and people were largely thinking that, yeah, overpriced, but good quality and PL proven. For someone not knowing football much with the cash to hand, that one probably also made sense. Fofana the Jury is still out. We need to see if he can stay fit and what is performance levels are like. For me, there were clear issues in the Summer, which the board have tried to address in the mean time. However, at least they were proactive and put their money were their mouth is. Not many teams can say that about their owners.

This guy is definitely getting labeled Dave the Second.

Still think he may be better than Kepa.

As @Pizysays, it is a different with AM/CF's. In those positions you have to essentially be Mbappe or Häland levels to be appreciated; especially if you go for a high fee. Enzo is different, he'll get a lot more time and be able to settle without so much spotlight. The issue I see with Enzo is how he deals with the press and intensity in the PL. I do have concerns about that with him as whilst technically gifted, he'll have to process a lot quicker here and deal with the rough stuff. That is always difficult to judge a player on as to whether they can adapt to the PL; that said, I am not so worried about the rough stuff as typically Argies are massive sh*t housers, so I expect he is already used to that. Going back to Felix for a second however. I also feel AM were pretty much the worst move for him. DS's system really doesn't play to his strengths. I still feel when watching him that if he gets the right environment, he'll be a top player, if not quite a world class one.

Probably just like Sunderland til I die. Except instead of £1m, Todd starts with £10m and goes to £70m. Probably still ends up with him lamenting after his crazy last offer is accepted that he can no longer pay the pizza guy.

Let's just hope it isn't Paul Pogba's witch doctor. Last f*cker he put a voodoo curse on scored a hat trick in a world cup final and still lost.

Think the club is probably worried about our CL place. CM is an issue if we want to push for 4th. Cannot see them in this instance being happy to shell out the big bucks and then wait.

He seems to be surprisingly naive; even more so than SFL. He keeps changing things, with the impression that because he has a squad of good players they should be able to play any system better than most other teams with a consistent formation because they haven't got the same quality man to man. He really needs to calm down and focus on what is the best formation and who suits that best. His chopping and changing is causing mass confusion.

Do you go to games or watch him live? I ask as he was the only player today in the front three that moved off the ball to create space. This is also typical of most of his performances which is why he keeps playing whereas his stats show he shouldn't. This is the thing with Kai, he isn't a show reel player, he is rather a team player where he makes space for others. The problem we have had for the past two seasons is that he and Mount are the only players we can trust off the ball on a consistent basis (Kante is the other but he is always injured.) I am not saying Kai is great, in fact I think he is not going to develop as I hoped (I knew he needed to improve his finishing and his build up play; but this hasn't really developed) however, I find it quite boring how people say what does he do well. His strengths are quite clearly finding space and losing his marker to open up spaces. The problem however, is that the rest of the team cannot work in tandem with him and he hasn't improved his game outside of this.

Not as bad as feared. Obviously deverstating for him so I hope he is able to recover quickly and not dwell on the disappointment of missing out of the WC.

Looks a very promising player, but €100m, that is crazy.

If that is the case, that is his season over. Didn't Barkley do this prior to signing for us? If I remember correctly that was around 12 months.