Tomo

If we can't overturn the transfer ban then I am next to certain no player of even remote importance will be allowed to go anywhere.

Didn't know where else to put this. Just been for a tour at The Olympic Stadium in Berlin (the stadium of the 2006 world cup final and home of Hertha Berlin) and it's a very beautiful unique stadium, a perfect blend of history and modern aspects. And the tour guide trolled Bayern big time for last year's final loss against Frankfurt.

If Hazard wants to go he better hope the ban gets overturned.

Been travelling non stop since I left The Bridge which is why this review is late. Missed Hazards goal as I had to leave early to get to Heathrow on time for a flight. I would never leave a game that was still in the balance early out of choice and I was shocked by the numbers that did. I was disappointed to miss Eden's goal but I had no alternative, some people were on the tube kicking themselves and rightly so. Now onto the game, I thought we were brilliant for the first twenty five minutes, fast buildup and combinations while winning the ball back up high on what felt like a record number of occasions but then we slowed down, back to the pedestrian sterile possession of the winter period which led to growing frustration in the crowd. I think in the 90 minutes we deserved to win, we penned back and contained a very dangerous counter attacking side and limited them to one opportunity all game which they unfortunately took. Sarri also said he will start looking at formation changes when his side are in tune with the basics of his football, which is a good sign I'm guessing. RLC was decent when he came on, I have said in the past I think he is a super sub type player (ala a midfield version of a Javier Hernandez), I feel his burst of pace against tired defenses causes problems and when he starts he often drifts out of the game easily and when he doesn't initially he does after an hour. CHO was awful unless I missed something in the last seven minutes and it was a reality check for anyone who thinks he should be an immediate starter, but it's all part of the learning curve so hopefully he gets more chances in similar situations. Jorginho wasn't anywhere near as bad as people are making out but Kovacic probably had his worst game for us. All in all I think the draw despite lots of territorial dominance was quite applicable to where we are right now, and thanks to United losing I still think we are in a good position for top four as they won't repeat their recent run and Arsenal (and Emery) are weak as shit away from home.

In the event of the ban not being overturned he should be used as RB and CM cover, would be a respectable number of games in it for him.

I'm not so sure. We miss prime Costa sure, but the version from 2017 onwards makes Morata look like Ronaldo De Lima.

Arsenal are awful away from home.

I'm at the game and Ampadu has come out alone in training gear to warm up. Maybe an appearance on the bench for him today.

I think it boils down to the Higuain clause. If we are still able to extend his loan then I think we will be relitevely okay next season if the worst comes to the worst (likely not challenge for the title but good enough for top four considering there's every chance we will make it this season and next they will be a year ahead in Sarri's training) but if we can't keep Higgy things will get tricky, Giroud isn't good enough to lead the line as number one and Bats is out of his depth at our level, we will literally have no other alternative but to promote Tammy and pray.

On the Shed End there's a few members borderline dedicated to calling out the moaning for the sake of it brigade. Infant a post from a suspect on here was copied and pasted on there someone and to say it was exposed as moaning for no reason would be an understatement.

I prefer him as an impact sub to be honest and I think the game management of RLC has maybe been the best thing Sarri has done bar possibly more minutes in the league. When he starts I feel he drifts out of the game a bit much and as the second half goes on slowly fades out completely but when he comes fresh off the bench his burst of acceleration against tired legs causes the opposition teams problems and opens up avenues in attack. I see him as a midfield version of a Hernandez/OGS, aka super sub.

What the context towards that? If he is saying he won't start him regularly until 22-23 then yes it's a ridiculous thing to say and questions need to be asked but I'm fairly certain he means to develop to a world class level, which isn't exactly outrageous as outside of a few exceptions world class players generally hit that level around about 21-24, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Terry, Neymar, Suarez a few of many examples, even Messi didn't truly elevate to his current level until then.

This is brutal. Should have known better to have expectations but I read through this thread expecting good analysis and a general happy atmosphere given we have just comfortably beat a decent team (to add to a good couple of weeks all told) but no it's all he's shit, he's crap, we're rubbish, doomsdays coming.

The difference in Kovacic when he's not played as the most attacking of the 3 is astronomical. Dare I say we don't even miss Kante that much when he's covering.

Most of Foden's PL appearances have been off the bench with City out of sight.

Nothing on Christensen? Thought he was very good yesterday atleast for the first hour and seems to be slowly recovering from his massive fall from grace he had 2018. Should be looking at slowly replacing him and Luiz.

I would go as far as saying LB is our number 1 priority this summer. He was certainly quicker to get forward and offer the overlap compared to Alonso which helped speed things up at times but his decision making going forward in possession wasn't any better and his defending was worse than anything i have ever seen from Marcos, a couple of times attacks were coming down our left and he wasn't even near the LB area.

Because long story short Brendan doesn't do defending, he said as much in his interview after the game.

This should be all over, this Fulham side are league two standard defensively they don't even get the basics. Sergio Rico and poor finishing is keeping them in this. We need a 3rd goal.

What two players? You presented the first post like it happens systematically.

I am working on the (possibly naive) assumption we will sign a big money striker if he doesn't.

For the same reason many players perform at Palace level clubs but don't for top six sides, they found their level.

In my eyes it's when a player settles gets to a stage they are happy to sit out and play a support role, like how Drogba came back (even if Costa and Remy's injures meant he played more than expected) or JT under Conte.

Anyone Who's happy to come in, pick up good money and play next to no minutes bar injures. Giroud has made it clear playing time is a priority for him, he left the club he loves for a rival for that very reason.

It's a waste having 3 strikers. Given Sarri's rotation policy, our 1 striker system and our medical team being so good they will barely see the pitch, if atall. If we are to sign a third striker it will be someone who is in his twilight years who doesn't really give a shit about playing time.